America's average gun violence victim is white and male

Just as it can be shown that cities and states with strict firearm-related restrictions codified into law experience significantly higher rates of firearm-related homicides than those that do not have such restrictions in place.

Science is used in an attempt to either prove or disprove a concept. But even with all of the scientific developments that have come about in the last hundred years, there are still countless problems that cannot even begin to adequately be addressed.

Considering the fact that there are more than forty thousand suicides committed in the united states every single year, such laws are apparently not working out to any significant degree.

 

Science is not really able to prove anything. Proofs are for math. Scinece provides evidence not proof. So when people ask for scientific proof that is kind of silly.

I simply was informing you of the law

 

Then let us rephrase the statement for clarification purposes.

The claim that an absence of strict firearm-related restrictions being codified into law is somehow directly responsible for causing an increase in suicides to occur, cannot be demonstrated as being valid in any manner than resembles scientific method. Data pertaining to suicides is gathered from various law enforcement divisions that have final say in determining whether a death is a homicide or suicide. The data is not hard and fast in terms of its validity, since evidence of proof does not have to be submitted for the classification to stand. It is based on nothing more than the statement of law enforcement itself, and has the potential to be motivated due to various factors. Homicides require significantly greater resources for investigation than suicides, which can be written off as the case being closed. Classifying a death as a suicide rather than a homicide shields the agency from criticism over having an abysmal case closure rate.

Consider the following article, written and presented by a former commander of the Bronx Homicide division of the NYPD. Even law enforcement is admitting that the validity of the data is faulty at best.

http://www.hendonpub.com/resources/article_archive/results/details?id=4573

Mistake#1: Assuming the Case is A Suicide Based on the Initial Report


If the case is reported as a “suicide,” the police officers who respond as well as the investigators automatically tend to treat the call as a suicide. It is a critical error in thinking to handle the call based on the initial report. The immediate problem is that psychologically one is assuming the death to be a suicide case, when in fact this is a basic death investigation, which could very well turn out to be a homicide. The investigator cannot “assume” anything as a professional law enforcement officer.


Any preconceived theories or notions are dangerous in professional death investigation. In addition to errors of assuming a “suicide” or natural death, other preconceived notions may include deaths, which appear to be drug related and/or domestic violence. One must keep an open mind and not be influenced either by the initial reports or the presentation in the crime scene.


The following is the protocol for the initiation of an effective crime scene investigation. First, a rapid response to the homicide crime scene by patrol officers. This is imperative in order to protect evidentiary materials before they are destroyed, altered or lost.


Second, anything and everything should be considered as evidence. Whether this evidence is physical or testimonial, it must be preserved, noted, and brought to the attention of the investigators. The only evidence collected at this point of the investigation is eyewitness accounts or spontaneous statements of a suspect at the scene.


Third, after the scene is secured, immediate and appropriate notification must be made to the homicide investigators.


Mistake#2: Assuming “The Suicide Position” At the Crime Scene


It has been my experience that when police officers or detectives hear the word “Suicide” they go into what I describe as the “Suicide Position.” Suicides are non-amenable offenses that are not recorded in the UCR and therefore are considered less important than other events.


Without a doubt, investigators take “shortcuts” when they hear the word suicide. I have reviewed many suicide cases where it was apparent the investigators did not take each point to its ultimate conclusion. Sufficient photographs were not taken and certain tests were not conducted. In some instances, the deaths were suicides, but the incomplete and insufficient preliminary investigation raised legitimate concerns.


Death investigations of the elderly are oftentimes assumed to be naturals and there is a tendency on the part of uniforms and detectives to rush through the crime scene process.


Many investigators, who have “bought into” the initial call and treated the case like a routine suicide or a natural death, have been greatly embarrassed when the medical examiner’s finding showed the death to be a homicide. They then find themselves in the unenviable position of having to explain how they missed crucial evidence or failed to take important crimes scene photos.


Mistake#3: Not Handling “The Suicide” as a Homicide Investigation


According to Practical Homicide Investigation®, “All death inquiries should be conducted as homicide investigations until the facts prove differently. The resolution of the mode of death as Suicide is based on a series of factors, which eliminate Homicide, Accident and Natural Causes of Death.


An investigator should be assigned to every unattended death case. Some agencies have mistakenly allowed patrol officers to conduct basic death investigations with the assumption that such deaths are generally not criminal incidents and don’t require detective investigation. On the contrary, these cases may very well be homicides, which have been staged to appear to be suicide, accidents or natural causes.


In equivocal death investigations, there is the potential for major errors. If in fact the death is later attributed to be homicide, valuable evidence will have been lost or contaminated because the scene was not handled as a homicide case. The critical interviews and interrogations as well as crime scene documentation and photographs are irretrievable.


Currently, with all the forensic programming available to the general public, which focuses on police procedure and forensic medicine, many people have come to believe they are well versed and knowledgeable to the point we have the “CSI Effect.” The CSI Effect refers to the phenomenon of the impact that crime-scene and forensic criminal-investigation television shows on the general public.


The fictional aspects of these programs provide the entertainment component. However, there are a number of legitimate investigative techniques as well as tactical police procedures revealed to the viewing audience that contribute to the CSI Effect. The problem is that criminals read the same books and watch the same TV shows as everyone else and therefore gain insight into the investigative process as well as the value of trace evidence. It is not unlikely that someone who wanted to kill might “Stage the Scene” to make a death appear to be a suicide to cover up the murder.


Mistake#4: Failure to Conduct Victimology


One of the most significant factors to consider in any death investigation is victimology. Victimology as it pertains to both suicide and homicide investigations is significant in ascertaining motives, suspects and risk factors. In suicide cases, this becomes paramount in determining Motive and Intent. Does the victim fit a “Suicide Profile?” Was there any evidence of marked depression or suicide ideations? Did the victim have both short and long term plans?


Victimology is the collection and assessment of all significant information as it relates to the victim and his / her lifestyle. Personality, employment, education, friends, habits, hobbies, marital status, relationships, dating history, sexuality, reputation, criminal record, history of alcohol or drugs, physical condition and neighborhood of residence are all pieces of the mosaic that comprise victimology.


The bottom line is, Who was the victim? And what was going on in his / her life at the time of the event? The best sources of information will be friends, family, associates and neighbors and that will be the initial focus of the investigation.


Mistake#5: Failure to Apply the Three Basic Investigative Considerations


The investigator should be aware of three basic considerations to establish if a death is suicidal in nature. First, the presence of the weapon or means of death at the scene. The weapon or means of death should be present in cases of suicide. However, the absence of a weapon does not necessarily indicate that death was due to a homicide. The weapon could have been stolen or otherwise disposed of prior to the arrival of the authorities (as seen in the case of the heirloom handgun). Furthermore, family members have been known to conceal weapons and / or suicide notes in order to collect on an insurance policy.


Second, injuries or wounds that are obviously self-inflicted, or could have been inflicted by the deceased. Injuries and wounds in suicides may be very similar to those observed in homicides. However, certain observations that the wounds found on the body are consistent with homicide or suicide should be made.


For example, a person found dead from multiple stab wounds of the back would certainly not be considered a victim of suicide. Likewise, in suicide cases, there appear to be preferences and avoidances for certain parts of the body. The investigator should have an appreciation for the lethality of wounds. Remember: It’s not the number of wounds that are self-inflicted, but the lethality of these wounds and what particular organs have been impacted.


Could the deceased cause the injuries and death? Was the person physically able to accomplish the act? Are the wounds within the reach of the deceased? Are the wounds grouped together? Is there more than one cause of death? Are there any hesitation marks or wounds? Describe the nature and position of the injuries.


Third, the existence of a motive or intent on the part of the victim to take his / her own life. The manner of death may be important in determining suicidal intent. People who hang themselves or jump to their deaths certainly have indicated an intention to take their lives. Similarly, deaths that involve a combination of methods, such as poisoning, shooting, slashing of wrists, inhaling gas, etc. show an extreme desire to die.


Obtain the background information, both medical and social. Were there any warning signs? Were there any recent deaths in the family? Was there any indication of recent upset or stress? Did the victim leave a suicide note? Has deceased been under professional treatment or counseling? Had the deceased ever attempted suicide in the past? Has anyone in family ever committed suicide?


Mistake#6: Failure to Properly Document any Suicide Notes


If the victim left a note, and even if you are sure the case is a suicide, obtain an exemplar, which is an example of the victim’s handwriting from some document that was known to have been written by the deceased. This is necessary especially when later on there is a dispute over the classification of the death as a suicide.


The presence of a Suicide Note certainly suggests suicide. However, there are a number of investigative considerations to determine whether or not the note is genuine. Was it written by the deceased? Was it written voluntarily? Does the note indicate suicidal intent?


Suicide notes oftentimes have mixed emotional content including “positive” and “negative” feelings. Suicide ideations, which are the formation and conception of ideas in the mind of the deceased, present suicide as a viable option. There may be reference to an “afterlife” or being with a loved one “looking down”, etc. The Suicide Note is a direct communication indicating intent to commit suicide.


The letters and notes may be addressed to relatives and friends or left at the death scene, which indicate severe depression and / or anger. The notes are often coherent and legible unless written under the influence of alcohol or drugs and may be instructional and / or admonishing. These notes should be collected in a manner to preserve any latent fingerprints and exemplars should be obtained for comparison. The note oftentimes provides a basis of inquiry into the background of the deceased.


Mistake#7: Failure to Take Each Factor to its Ultimate Conclusion


In order to conduct an efficient and effective investigation, the detective first concentrates on the mechanical aspects of the death, i.e. motives and methods, wound structures, crime scene reconstruction, bloodstain pattern analysis, the cause, manner and time of death as well as other factors that provide clues to the dynamics of the event.


The detective then accesses various sources, which can be applied to his / her investigation. In suicide cases, the application of a “Psychological Autopsy” might be useful in drawing conclusions, but only if the information obtained for this instrument is taken concurrent with the event and not after people have formulated an opinion. Do it right the first time. You only get one chance.


It should be noted that the final determination of suicide is made by the medical examiner / coroner after all the facts are evaluated. However, the investigation at the scene and an inquiry into the background of the deceased may indicate the presence of life threatening behavior or activities that suggest suicidal intent. Of course, the medical examiner / coroner is supposed to avail him / her of the input of the investigators, who were present at the scene and conducted the death investigation.

 

you have completely failed to prove that lax gun laws are the reason for higher suicide rates

you have refused to tell us what are the laws that anti gun states use to depress suicide rates

you have constantly denied being a gun banner but praise gun banning states

 

but that is a dishonest bait and switch. You cannot prove that the laws are responsible for the different suicide rates

 

You can not prove the earth is round in science. But the evidence in my case and for the earth is overwhelming and it is silly to deny it

 

You are free to deny the facts but the evidence is overwhelming year in and year out over and over again

 

That's nice but it is not relevant. The science is in and year in and year out over and over again the states with the most lax gun laws have the highest suicides. That would have to be the most unbelievable coincidence in the world.

 

I accept your concession you cannot tell us what laws actually decrease suicide rates in the USA

 

I thought I was quite clear. Gun control laws

 

which ones given your sensitivity to being called a gun banner. so we know its not gun bans. so tell us what laws will prevent suicides. we know gun bans don't stop suicides as proven in Japan. so what are you saying will?

 

Gun control will

 

how about stopping with the silly and childish one liners that don't answer the question and actually tell us what specific laws

 

I was quite clear. States with lax gun laws have the highest suicide rates. The evidence is overwhelming

 

Isn't that good news for the anti-gun Left? In their minds, shouldn't every white male American pay for the sins of everything bad in the USA since 1776?

 

why do you have such a tough time telling us which gun laws you pretend will reduce suicides? oh I know, you don't want to be called a gun banner again. so tell us which ones are not banning guns

Given your reticence to actually tell us which laws do that, we can only conclude that you are just spewing nonsense again.

like "ITS JUST A FORM"

or "IT WORKS GREAT" completely devoid of any backing evidence

 

National Review had a great article examining that fact that the gun control movement is essentially a movement that sees middle aged white conservative Christian males as their enemy and passing gun laws is a way of attacking that enemy

 

There are several. Permit to purchase is one. Here is some evidence. I;m sure you will read it and agree, LOL

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/02/health/gun-laws-lead-to-suicide-drop/index.html

 

I love fiction

 

Agreed. The problem isn't guns, it's mental health care. The male suicide rate of Japan is higher than the US and France is about the same. Russia and it's former satellites? Astronomical in comparison.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate

 

Other handgun laws, not just permit-to-purchase laws, could also reduce suicide rates. A study by Anestis of University of Southern Mississippi found that laws that prohibit open carrying of handguns in California and Oklahoma reduced suicide rates by 3.5% and 1.7%, respectively, in the year after they were passed. Open carry could make handguns seem more familiar and less scary in general, Anestis said.

 

Since the far Left is notoriously authoritarian, it should go without saying they hate both freedom and anyone who supports the means to preserve freedom.

 

Anestis' study, which came out shortly after Crifasi's, also found that a law in the District of Columbia that extended the waiting period to complete a handgun purchase was associated with a 2.2% drop in suicides, whereas South Dakota's repeal of a waiting period law was associated with a 7.6% increase in suicides.

 

Are you claiming that an "assault weapons" ban will reduce suicides? How about a 10 round magazine limit?

 

Another reason state handgun laws could help reduce the suicide rate is that law enforcement agents are able to do more thorough background checks. Although federal law requires licensed gun dealers (but not private sellers) to do background checks, federal records can be incomplete because states do not report events, such as when a person is involuntarily committed to a mental health facility, Crifasi said.