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US gun homicides at 20-year low, surveys say | US gun homicides at 20-year low, surveys say |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Gun homicides in the United States have fallen sharply since peaking in 1993, two studies have found. | Gun homicides in the United States have fallen sharply since peaking in 1993, two studies have found. |
The federal Bureau of Justice Statistics said firearms-related homicides had dropped to 11,101 in 2011 from 18,253 - a reduction of 39%. | The federal Bureau of Justice Statistics said firearms-related homicides had dropped to 11,101 in 2011 from 18,253 - a reduction of 39%. |
Meanwhile, the Pew Research Center found gun homicides fell to 3.6 per 100,000 people in 2010 from 7 in 1993. | |
The figures were released three weeks after US senators rejected proposals to extend background checks on gun sales. | The figures were released three weeks after US senators rejected proposals to extend background checks on gun sales. |
President Barack Obama has campaigned for tighter firearms laws after 26 people died in a school shooting in Connecticut in December. | President Barack Obama has campaigned for tighter firearms laws after 26 people died in a school shooting in Connecticut in December. |
Held steady | Held steady |
Both reports found the rate of non-lethal crimes involving guns had also fallen significantly over that period. | Both reports found the rate of non-lethal crimes involving guns had also fallen significantly over that period. |
The Bureau of Justice Statistics, an office of the justice department, found that non-fatal firearms crimes dropped by 69% from 1.5 million to 467,300 during the period under study. | The Bureau of Justice Statistics, an office of the justice department, found that non-fatal firearms crimes dropped by 69% from 1.5 million to 467,300 during the period under study. |
However, the justice department study also suggested that the percentage of US homicides committed with a firearm had held steady at around 70% between 1993-2011. | However, the justice department study also suggested that the percentage of US homicides committed with a firearm had held steady at around 70% between 1993-2011. |
Despite the drop, some 56% of Americans believe gun crime is higher than two decades ago and only 12% think it is lower, according to the Pew Reseach Center. | Despite the drop, some 56% of Americans believe gun crime is higher than two decades ago and only 12% think it is lower, according to the Pew Reseach Center. |
Pew also found that African Americans made up a disproportionate share of gun homicide victims - 55% in 2010, despite accounting for 13% of the overall population. | Pew also found that African Americans made up a disproportionate share of gun homicide victims - 55% in 2010, despite accounting for 13% of the overall population. |
In 2010, white people were 25% of victims but 65% of the population, while Hispanics were 17% of victims and 16% of the population. | In 2010, white people were 25% of victims but 65% of the population, while Hispanics were 17% of victims and 16% of the population. |
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