http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics#United_StatesThe issue of firearms has, at times, taken a high-profile position in United States culture and politics.[90] Mass shootings have continually generated political debates about gun control in the United States. There is a sharp divide between gun-rights proponents[91] and gun-control proponents.[92] This leads to intense political debate over the effectiveness of firearm regulation.[93] Democrats are more likely to support stricter gun control than are Republicans.[94]
Incidents of gun violence and self-defense also generate debate. In 2007 12,632 murders were committed using firearms and 613 persons were killed unintentionally.[95] Surveys have suggested that guns are used in crime deterrence or prevention around 2.5 million times a year in the United States.[96][97][98][99] The American Journal of Public Health conducted a study that concluded "the United States has higher rates of firearm ownership than do other developed nations, and higher rates of homicide. Of the 233,251 people who were homicide victims in the United States between 1988 and 1997, 68% were killed with guns, of which the large majority were handguns."[100] The ATF estimated in 1995 that the number of firearms available in the US was 223 million.[101]
They fail to note that while 19,000 people die of gun-related deaths annually, they are still less than 40% of gun deaths.
The majority -- 61%-- of gun deaths are suicides.
