In 2011, knives were used in 1,694 murders. Hands and feet were used to commit 726 murders. Clubs, hammers, and other blunt objects were used to commit 496 murders. Handguns were used in 6,220 murders and shotguns were used in 356 murders. Given the hype over “assault rifles,” you might think Dianne Feinstein’s “weapons of war” (Democrats Unveil Bill To Ban Assault-Style Weapons) would be responsible for thousands of murders a year. But the reality is that rifles were used in 323 murders in 2011, far fewer than handguns and less than all other conventional weapons broken down by the FBI in their annual statistics.
In light of these facts, and after a national examination of the issue of gun control, Americans are cooling on the idea of new gun regulations. A poll conducted by Langer Research Associates shows a decline of 35% in support for new gun regulation over the last month. Americans are pushing back against new gun control. Women especially are concerned about losing their second amendment rights under any new gun ban. Celia Bigelow and Aubrey Blankenship make a compelling case at National Review on why women prefer AR-15s for their own self-defense.
