http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr61/nvsr61_06.pdf [quote]According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), gang homicides accounted for roughly 8,900 of 11,100 gun murders in both 2010 and 2011. That means that there were just 2,200 non gang-related firearm murders in both years in a country of over 300 million people and 250 million guns.[/quote] "But that is not the impression I got from watching TV news." Exactly. You rarely see coverage of the gang-related deaths (there are an average of four murders a week in Detroit alone - when is the last time they made national news?). Instead, you see wall-to-wall coverage of murders that do not fit the pattern, supplemented with stats based on gang shootings to imply the unusual shootings are common. You are not supposed to think. You are supposed to panic and agree "we have to do something" "for the children". Semi-related: gun control supporters, you will love Michigan's gun laws - I am sure without them, Detroit's national worst murder rate of over 55 would be higher, or Michigan should do even more of what didn't work, or something - whatever - stop confusing me with facts - guns bad. [spoiler]"First, they have to take and pass the Michigan Basic Pistol Safety questionnaire. Then they have to apply for the Ten Day Handgun Purchase Permit to buy the gun and make sure they find and buy the gun of their choice within 10 days, otherwise they have start the process all over again. When they make their purchase, they have to fill out a Michigan Pistol Sales Record form and make sure the pistol has a valid firearm Safety Inspection Certificate.  "Once the citizen has purchased their firearm, they have 10 days to take the gun to the local police department, have the sale recorded, and a new Safety Inspection Certificate issued in their name. Otherwise, they are considered in violation of the law and could be arrested on a misdemeanor gun violation.  "Federal laws also require a background check if you purchase a gun from a licensed dealer with a Federal Firearms License. "Note that each and every legal gun buyer in Michigan, and particularly Detroit, must be approved by the local police at least twice each and every time they purchase a gun and undergo a background check by the federal government." [/spoiler] So to recap: - Most murders are gang-related - Detroit, Michigan has the worst or second worst murder rate most years - Michigan requires redundant background checks and gun registration for all buyers - So, we know that doesn't work. Should we maybe ......... Try something else? Like figuring out why we have had permanent festering inner city poverty since the "Great Society"?