David Ram: Gun violence and laws

Regarding the letter “A different time with guns” [Gazette, Dec. 12]. I appreciate Richard Cahalan’s nostalgia and concern for our freedom. Though we may share the same goal of decreasing gun violence and deaths, we likely disagree on the means to that end. Regardless of our Massachusetts gun law positions, I believe, we both want to get the facts right. The letter prompted me to verify and present these three facts. First, gun death rates are lower than five decades ago despite the steady increase in gun deaths nationally this century. According to Pew Research Center, “On a per capita basis, there were 14.6 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2021 — the highest rate since the early 1990s, but still well below the peak of 16.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 1974.”

Second, California does not have the highest firearm murder rate. In the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report online (ucr.fbi.gov), Table 20 shows the total firearm murders by state. California tops the list of firearm murders at 1,142 for that year. Given its population then, California’s firearm murder rate is 2.9 per 100,000. That same year, Mississippi’s rate is 5.1 per 100,000. That’s about a 67% higher firearm murder rate in Mississippi than in California.

Third, stricter gun laws do mean lower gun death rates as illustrated by the preceding firearm murder rates. California purports to have the strictest gun laws while Mississippi reportedly has some of the most permissive, and Mississippi’s firearm murder rate is incomparably higher. Moreover, well-researched and carefully documented national studies show convincingly that stricter state gun laws correlate to fewer gun deaths.

I’m all about gun rights. I have the right to be free from gun violence; consequently, I seek freedom from guns rather than freedom of guns. Massachusetts has some of the strongest gun laws — rated 6th nationally by Everytown.org. We also have the lowest rate of gun deaths, 3.4 per 100,000 (cdc.gov). Wouldn’t it be great if Massachusetts would strengthen our gun laws to decrease gun deaths and firearm murders. Come on, Massachusetts. We can do better than 6th place.

David Ram

Easthampton