How does that help convince someone concerned about homicides that new gun laws aren't the answer?
I have to side with JSH1 on this one. Showing that firearms homicides are far down the list is not a winning argument. I think these are winning arguments:
1. Study after study has shown no correlation between the strictness of gun laws and homicide rates. Since there is no correlation, pumping more air in your tires and tightening gun laws are equally effective in reducing homicides.
2. John Lott has published a respectable body of research that indicates that more guns in the hands of law abiding citizens tends to reduce crime. If we want to reduce crime, including homicides, part of the answer is to arm more law abiding citizens. Criminals want an easy target, not a fair fight.
3. Many anti-gunners believe that if you could make firearms go away, then firearms deaths would go away. It is much more likely that making firearms go away would not change the homicide rates by much. I note that Malaysia has an automatic death penalty for possession of a firearm and a single cartridge. Yet their homicide rate is pretty close to my home state, which is practically awash in firearms. Despite a lack of firearms, the Malaysians continue to find a way.
On a personal note, my wife and I are in our early 70s. Not long ago, she walked out of a local hospital after visiting a family member, about 9:30 a night. There was a carload of tough looking guys with shaved heads and sunglasses that tried to position themselves to cut her off as she approached her car. As it happened, she was parked so she could evade them. She got in her car, and locked the doors. The carload of tough looking guys pulled up behind her, blocking her in. For a moment, she sat there calmly with her 380 in her lap, considering the fact that she was in a big TrailBlazer and they were in a little sporty car. So she put her car in reverse and started to back up. The tough guys apparently noticed the difference in size of the vehicles, and after she backed up a foot or so a few times, they decided to get out of her way. Since then, she's been a lot more faithful in carrying her concealed firearm. We also added a really bright flashlight and some nasty pepper spray to her purse. Yes, Virginia, firearms in the hands of law abiding citizens do prevent crime.