American Schools More Dangerous Than the Military

Photo of gun courtesy of morguefile.com
Laguna Woods, California
March 21, 2018 5:24pm CST
I have recently read some very alarming statistics about gun deaths in the United States. I thought I would share them. Between 1968 and 2015, there were 1,516,863 gun related deaths of ordinary American citizens. That is more deaths than have occurred in ALL of America's wars in US history. During our nation's entire history there were only 1,396,733 cumulative war deaths by members of our military. Being an ordinary citizen in American is far more dangerous than being in the military! (http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/aug/27/nicholas-kristof/more-americans-killed-guns-1968-all-wars-says-colu/) In addition, our death rate from gun violence is exceptionally high compared to other countries. The US has "3.85 deaths due to gun violence per 100,000 people in 2016. That was eight times as high as the rate in Canada, which had 0.48 deaths per 100,000 people — and 27 times higher than the one in Denmark, which had 0.14 deaths per 100,000." (according to NRP website) Finally, more children have been killed by guns since the deaths at Sandy Hook than U.S. soldiers since 9/11/01. According to Dept. of Defense records, 6,950 soldiers have died in combat since 9/11/01. During a much shorter period of time, since the deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14/12, over 7,000 children have died by gunfire. (http://www.newsweek.com/gun-violence-children-killed-sandy-hook-military-soldiers-war-terror-911-848602) That means it is more dangerous to be a child, or an ordinary American citizen, in America than it is to be a soldier in a war zone. I think that is heartbreaking.
6 people like this
3 responses
• Havre De Grace, Maryland
19 Jun 18
Is it the kids or the parents for not teaching the kids or not monitor what the kids do and sometimes I know its some grown people going in the schools doing the stupid stuff how can we stop it
1 person likes this
• Havre De Grace, Maryland
19 Jun 18
@DeborahDiane I agree with u on them points also
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246906)
• United States
27 Mar 18
It is heartbreaking and hopefully something will finally be done about it.
1 person likes this
• Laguna Woods, California
28 Mar 18
@DianneN - I am so impressed by the Parkland, Florida teenagers and what they have accomplished in just five weeks. They are putting adults to shame!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246906)
• United States
4 Apr 18
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325854)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Mar 18
The statistics are pretty horrifying. It would be very worrying for parents.
1 person likes this
• Laguna Woods, California
22 Mar 18
@JudyEv - I can understand why high school students have gotten so worked up about the shootings, when they know they are more at risk in their high schools than they would be if they just signed up for the military. That is very depressing.
1 person likes this