An Oklahoma man who was doing target practice in his backyard on Christmas is believed to have shot and killed an elderly woman a few blocks from his home, authorities said.
Cody Wayne Adams, 33, has been charged with first-degree manslaughter in connection with the deadly shooting, court filings show.
The victim was on a covered front porch with family members at a residence in Comanche when she was shot Thursday afternoon, according to the probable cause affidavit. She was holding a baby in her left arm while seated on a love seat when she was struck in her right upper arm, according to the affidavit. The bullet then entered her chest cavity, it said.
And here I am at 42 considering a pistol for the first time, to protect against other crazy citizens.
Statistically speaking, buying that handgun is going to dramatically increase your odds of dying by firearm.
Not sure who’s downvoting this but the claim is verifiable.
Here’s a John Hopkins report from 2023: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/data/annual-gun-violence-data
What I think is the most interesting, and a fact I learned taking a firearms safety course here in Canada, is that the highest risk remains suicide.
From the report: Gun suicides have accounted for the majority of all gun deaths each year since 1995.
Having a gun can turn that fleeting ideation into a permanent decision real quick.
Gun is probably the easiest cheapest way to access assisted suicide in the USA. That not-so-fleeting ideation probably drives a lot of people to the local Walmart to get a gun since its easier than getting a doctors appointment.
I personally think suicide is my right. Also when someone says that they want a gun to protect themselves… and someone states that it’s more likely to result in a gun death, but forgets to mention the suicide part… it’s disingenuous and that’s probably why the downvotes. Say the whole statistic. Maybe it really is a mental health crisis and not a gun problem. The biggest danger to a gun owner is themself. It gives you the power to end your life at your leisure which is really bad… because you haven’t created enough shareholder value or paid enough taxes yet. How can you consider buying a gun to end your life when it life itself is so fucking magical ya know?
Either way Smith and Wesson issues my insurance policy. This is America people.
Kind of feel like we’re talking past each other.
Suicide is your right. No qualms with that. I support thoughtful assisted dying and no one can stop you from taking your own life if you are determined to do so.
But the comment mentioning a dramatically increased probability of death by firearm isn’t disingenuous. They were answering someone talking about acquiring a firearm to protect themselves from others. I think it’s reasonable to remind anyone considering a firearm for self protection to understand they’re more likely to die by firearm as a result of that choice no matter how the death occurs. Even if suicide is the bulk of gun deaths it’s not the only cause - and so while being even more fully informed is helpful, I don’t agree that the warning is misleading in any way, I’d argue it remains just as factual.
It also doesn’t have to be either or: it can be both a mental health crisis and a gun crisis.
I’m also not unilaterally anti-firearm; I enjoy long distance marksmanship and hand loading precision cartridges quite a bit. That said, I understand the choices I’m making and the risks that come with them; taking every precaution I can to protect those around me from harm.
Totally agree with you, I mostly take quarrel with OP you were replying to. Yes owning a gun makes you much more likely to die in a gun incident. It opens to door to so many preventable tragedies in your own home. I just feel like that statistic demands the explanation that this includes people who bought a gun with the intention of suicide. It includes all the people who bought a gun with intention to resolve a conflict. It includes the biggest most negligent idiots you know, who will probably be shot by their children in a “tragic” accident. If you’re a law abiding, risk mitigating person scared of ICE showing up at your door… and you’d like a fire arm because that feels tyrannical, I’m gonna say you’re gonna be a wee bit better off than the statistic suggests.
IKYK, sounds like we have similar views on firearms in America. Bit of a quagmire innit. Hate watching it be discussed without nuance.
Buying a gun does make you more suicidal, as we can see the rise in suicides after buying a gun
I know, probably partly because if you intend to use it, you’re more likely to get shot instead, or shoot yourself.That’s why it’s only a consideration, but also, domestic tensions are…less than ideal.
But I have no kids, I’d take lessons and practice first, and I’d never leave ammo loaded. I do not want a gun in my home. I’m fine keeping them animated and fired with a gamepad.
And I’d like to think in the very unlikely situation I’d need it, I wouldn’t, like, engage, like an idiot.
Honestly if you do end up getting a firearm, you should keep it loaded. Once you do your safety training, you will be more confident. If you ever have children in your home, please take appropriate security precautions.
Really no reason to keep it loaded at all times in your home. You keep a magazine loaded with the firm arm and hopefully you never have to chamber a round. Once you do your safety training you will be more engaged with risk mitigation, precautions, and laws. Safety training is mostly how to not-shoot(yourself and others). Knowledge and practice will bring confidence and confidence is knowing that you don’t need a loaded gun hiding around the house. Most people are like kids and may accidentally shoot you with your loaded fire arm they found lying around.
That’s fair. In my defense my guns are never lying around. They all have manual safeties as well.
The way I see it, if a loaded gun were sitting in my house, it’s more likely to go off by accident than ever actually needing it.
Yea apparently everyone has delusions of shooting a home intruder or something. Another accident waiting to happen. Chances are you’ll never need to use said gun, but if you do, it’s really easy to say " I have a gun and will use it" and load a gun. Give your imaginary burglar a chance to retreat.