Since gun violence continues to be a pressing issue in America, I chose to look through the cards on this issue.
The second card regarding the United States’ gun crime rates compared to other so-called “rich” countries was a jarring one. With 29.7 homicides by firearms per 1 million people in 2012, the chart revealed the United States has more such crimes than Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and Canada combined.
I was also surprised by the fact that there are more gun suicides in America than gun homicides, going back as far as 1999. It’s a lot more common to hear about homicides when the issue with guns comes up, but I think this is a good glimpse into how gun control isn’t such a simple issue. This brings into the factor that mental health in this country should play in regards to this issue.
I think it’s important to also note that the angle with these cards isn’t necessarily for or against guns, although one can take away that gun violence in the United States is undoubtedly an issue. I bring up this point because of the third card, which stated that gun homicides — as well as all homicides — have declined starting in the 1990s. Other facts included may make people who are pro-guns believe these cards are purposefully learning toward gun control, but I think that would be an unfair claim to make.