Gun Crimes Plummet Even As Gun Sales Rise

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released a new infographic designed to counter the false impression many Americans have that gun-related crime has increased over the past 20 years, even though it has actually fallen dramatically.

Fifty-six percent of Americans think crime with firearms has increased, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. However, data show that homicides with firearms have declined by 39 percent from 1993 to 2011 and other crimes committed with firearms have fallen by 69 percent during the same period.

Meanwhile, firearm sales in recent years have reached record-high levels, demonstrating that more guns do not equal more crime. Also declining while gun sales have been rising are firearm-related fatal accidents, which have plummeted 58 percent in practically the same period (1991 to 2011).