I saw statistics (from the UN) that put the US third in the world for gun-caused homicides per million people, at 41. Brazil was first, at (I believe) 213. I can't remember which country was second, but it ranked about 150. The UK was at something like 0.41.

The figures were for 2003.

Nevertheless I will go to work, unarmed. I will visit the doctor, unarmed. I will talk to the AARP, unarmed. I will meet with my Supervisors.* And I'll go back home, unarmed.

I have only rarely been afraid in the US, and then it was because of weather or animals (like my run-in with a mountain goat), not because of other people.






*Well, sometimes I'd like to be armed....   8-)