Statistics

In 2008 —

• An offender was armed with a gun, knife, or other object used as a weapon in an estimated 20% of all incidents of violent crime.
• Offenders used firearms to commit 7% of violent crime incidents in 2008.
• Robberies (40%) were the most likely crime to involve an armed offender.
• Firearms (24%) were the most common weapons used in robberies.

In 2008, U.S. residents age 12 or older experienced approximately 21 million crimes, according to findings from the National Crime Victimization Survey.

– 77% (16.3 million) were property crimes
– 23% (4.9 million) were crimes of violence
– 1% (136,700) were personal thefts

In 2008, for every 1,000 persons age 12 or older, there occurred

–1 rape or sexual assault
–2 robberies
–3 aggravated assaults
–13 simple assaults.

According to Criminal Victimizations, 2008, victims knew the offenders in about 5 in 10 violent crimes against men and 7 in 10 violent crimes against women

• Offenders known to the victims were most often identified as friends or acquaintances, accounting for a similar percentage of violence against male (42%)and female (38%) victims.
• Strangers were responsible for about a third (36%) of all violent crimes measured by the NCVS in 2008.
• Intimate partners were responsible for 3% of all violence against males and 23% of all violence against females in 2008.

Time of occurrence

In 2008—

• 54% of incidents of violent crime occurred during the day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• More than half (56%) of rape/sexual assaults occurred at night from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Almost half (46%) of household burglaries occurred during the daytime hours.

Place of occurrence

In 2008—

• Almost 30% of violent crimes occurred in or near the victim’s home.
• About 18% of purse snatching/pocket pickings occurred inside a restaurant, bar or nightclub, 13% occurred in other commercial buildings, and 10% occurred in parking lots or garages.
• Of victims of violent crime, 21% were involved in some form of leisure activity away from home at the time of their victimization, 28% were at home, and another 19% were at work or traveling to or from work when the crime occurred.

Distance from home

• In 2008, 54% of violent crimes occurred within a mile of the victim’s home, including 18% that occurred in the home and 18% that occurred near the home. Only 4% of violent crimes occurred 2 miles or more from home.

Injury and medical care

In 2008—

• About 23% of victims of robbery and assault were injured.
• About 542,280 victims of violent crime received some type of medical care. Of these victims about 35% were treated in an emergency room or clinic and about 9% were hospitalized.

– Bureau of Justice Statistics

* Florida adopted a right-to-carry law in 1987. At the time the law was passed, critics predicted increases in violence. The founder of the National Organization of Women, Betty Friedan stated:

* When the law went into effect, the Dade County Police began a program to record all arrest and non arrest incidents involving concealed carry licensees. Between September of 1987 and August of 1992, Dade County recorded 4 crimes committed by licensees with firearms. None of these crimes resulted in an injury. The record keeping program was abandoned in 1992 because there were not enough incidents to justify tracking them. Editorial. “The case of the outgunned thug.” Washington Times National Weekly Edition, January 5-11, 1998. and Lott, John R. Jr. and Mustard, David B. “Crime, Deterrence, and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handguns.” University of Chicago School of Law, 7/26/96

* Florida adopted a right-to-carry law in 1987. Between 1987 and 1996, these changes occurred:

“1998 NRA Fact Card.” Viewed in January of 1999 on the National Rifle Association web site, http://www.nra.org/
* 221,443 concealed carry licenses were issued in Florida between October of 1987 and April of 1994. During that time, Florida recorded 18 crimes committed by licensees with firearms. Lott, John R. Jr. and Mustard, David B. “Crime, Deterrence, and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handguns.” University of Chicago School of Law, 7/26/96

* As of 1998, nationwide, there has been 1 recorded incident in which a permit holder shot someone following a traffic accident. The permit holder was not charged, as the grand jury ruled the shooting was in self defense. Lott, John R. Jr. More Guns, Less Crime. The University of Chicago Press, 1998. Pages 1, 11, 43

* As of 1998, no permit holder has ever shot a police officer. There have been several cases in which a permit holder has protected an officer’s life. Lott, John R. Jr. More Guns, Less Crime. The University of Chicago Press, 1998. Pages 1, 11, 43

1. * In the United States during 1997, there were 15,289 murders. Of these, 10,369 were committed with firearms. “1997 Uniform Crime Reports.” Federal Bureau of Investigation. Table 2.11

   * In the United States during 1997, there were approximately 7,927,000 violent crimes. Of these, 691,000 were committed with firearms. Calculations performed with data from:
   a) “1997 Uniform Crime Reports.” Federal Bureau of Investigation. Table 2.11.
   b) “National Crime Victimization Survey – Criminal Victimization in the United States, 1997 Statistical Tables.” United States Department of Justice. Table 66.

   * As of 1992, for every 14 violent crimes (murder, rape, etc…) committed in the United States, one person is sentenced to prison. Independent calculations performed with 1992 data from:

   1. “1992 Uniform Crime Reports.” Page 10. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
   2. “1995 Sourcebook Of Criminal Justice Statistics.” Pages 468, 480, 497, 499. U.S. Department of Justice.

* As of 1992, average length of imprisonment for:

“1995 Sourcebook Of Criminal Justice Statistics.” Page 507. U.S. Department of Justice

* In the early/mid 1990′s, criminals on parole or early release from prison committed about 5,000 murders, 17,000 rapes, and 200,000 robberies a year. “1998 NRA Fact Card.” Viewed in January of 1999 on the National Rifle Association web site, http://www.nra.org/

* Americans use firearms to defend themselves from criminals at least 764,000 times a year. This figure is the lowest among a group of 9 nationwide surveys done by organizations including Gallup and the Los Angeles Times. Study: “Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of Self-Defense with a Gun.” By Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (Northwestern University School of Law), 1995. Accessed at http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/KleckAndGertz1.htm.

* In 1982, a survey of imprisoned criminals found that 34% of them had been “scared off, shot at, wounded or captured by an armed victim.” Study: “Armed Resistance to Crime: The Prevalence and Nature of Self-Defense with a Gun.” By Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (Northwestern University School of Law), 1995. Accessed at http://www.saf.org/LawReviews/KleckAndGertz1.htm.

* Washington D.C. enacted a virtual ban on handguns in 1976. Between 1976 and 1991, Washington D.C.’s homicide rate rose 200%, while the U.S. rate rose 12%. TEN MYTHS ABOUT GUN CONTROL.” Viewed in January of 1999 on the National Rifle Association web site, http://www.nra.org/

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