that I spoke with last night was incredulous to find out that the U.S. is NINETY SECOND (about the middle) of the pack for murder by homocide... cuz, you know... Mass Shootings NEVER happen in Europe:

http://komonews.com/news/nation-world/m ... lmo-sweden

Haha he really got you rattled. Here’s another interesting one that I’m sure you’ve already seen: https://crimeresearch.org/2015/06/compa ... nd-europe/


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Not rattled, necessarily. But speaking with him showed how much misconception there exists about the U.S., murder rates and gun ownership (even among gun owners).

That's because we often make the mistake of conflating gun owner with gun enthusiast. The reality is, someone who owns at least one gun is not as likely to be informed as someone who owns many and is steeped in the "culture". I've come to learn that just having a gun in the house doesn't automatically mean one's opinion on gun-related issues is well-informed. I wish it were so, but clearly it isn't.

Exactly what guns4liberty said. The guy also stated in the focus group that he doesn’t know much about firearms.


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Another thing that struck me was the sense that he has about personal safety.

I've mentioned here how violent crime has impacted my life so many times. He stated his amazement that that has happened. "Kirkland is such a safe place" he said. "Has this stuff happened to you here?" And he was critical, therefore, of one of the instructors from WAC who put on a hand-gun training seminar for first time gun owners. The instructor preached constant vigilance and situational awareness and the European gentleman perceived that as "paranoid." This man owns a gun but doesn't carry for personal protection.

I disagreed saying how it was merely prudent; citing the number of naturally occurring psychos in any population and my own experiences with them.

He seemed to discount events if they hadn't happened to me directly. e.g.: I stated how I went to school with, had frequent conversations with, a guy who ended up becoming a serial killer.
"well, yes, but he didn't do anything to YOU"...

Hmmm... so I guess the guy up the street from me who has had his yard dug up by the cops, twice, searching for the remains of his missing wife, doesn't count either?

No matter. I have plenty of experience first hand too.

So, you guys are right. Owning a gun doesn't bring magical awareness.

http://www.kirklandreporter.com/news/tw ... kland-man/

I mean that was only 4 and a half years ago. Nowhere is truly safe.


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There was a police shooting in Kingsgate last week (they took out a known armed and dangerous guy). So yeah...bad stuff can happen in Kirkland.

ETA: you can also show your Swedish/Danish buddy this Nextdoor link. It’s a thread entitled “Uptick in Crime in Kingsgate area”.

https://nextdoor.com/news_feed/?post=85557564

For those who aren’t on Nextdoor, here’s a snippet.

“There is quite an uptick in crime in Kingsgate / High Woodlands / Lendemain / Queensgate. Increased alertness is encouraged as the Kirkland Police are aware of a criminal ring operating here. There is little police can do without the public's help. An officer told me that about 10 connected individuals are familiar to KPD.”


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I fight the normalcy bias on a daily basis as an insurance agent. People that only react/prepare when things are falling apart always lose.

they just dug up his house again a few or six months ago.

This was the first time:

https://www.kirklandreporter.com/news/p ... e-boundry/