Sunday, September 12, 2010

More on the Psychological Impact

It's an interesting report although much of it goes without saying.

"We found that the greater the severity of exposure to the shooting, the greater the risk of developing post-traumatic stress or other psychological disorders," says Dr. Stéphane Guay, Director of the Trauma Study Centre of Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital and a member of the research team.

What do you think? Could this constitute another difference between DGUs and gun violence?

Let's take John Lott's example of the most common type of DGU, the famous brandishing. In each of those cases, which are far less numerous than some would suggest, but in each one that actually takes place, the gun owner thwarts a criminal with no muss and no fuss.

In each incident of gun violence, on the other hand, the psychological damage of even uninvolved witnesses is significant.

I believe this report from Canada about the terrible results of shooting incidents has important lessons for the U.S.

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.


  1. You sound as though the alternative is preferable, which in a justifiable shooting, is bodily injury and/or death.

  2. In a JUSTIFIABLE shooting, yes the alternative is bad. I'm not convinced that your average DGU is justified at all.

  3. The average DGU doesn't require the gun to be fired at all.

  4. Anonymous, I believe you're right that most DGUs do not involve firing the weapon. My same argument goes for them. Most are unnecessary, some are criminal.