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Defensive Gun Uses Occur About Five Times More Often Than Criminals Use a Gun in Crime

May 9, 2026 | Defensive Gun Use, Original Research

CPRC original research Defensive Gun Use

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) estimates there were approximately 330,000 violent victimizations involving a firearm in 2021. That same year there were estimated 1.67 million defensive gun uses. That is defensive gun uses are 5.06 times more than firearms used in crime.

johnrlott

4 Comments

  1. Donald Ray Smith
    Donald Ray Smith on May 16, 2026 at 9:31 AM

    Statistics do not lie, but Statisticians do!
    Especially when the data isn’t examined properly and use the data to fit their agenda.

    • johnrlott
      johnrlott on May 17, 2026 at 3:19 PM

      Can you expand on your point? I am not clear what your point is.

      • Jack
        Jack on June 2, 2026 at 7:39 AM

        There are statistics and statisticians – when the two agree after an honest look at and interpretation of the data, and its not presented in a biased manner, and follows the data to its logical conclusion – then you have people like John Lott offering an honest evaluation and presentation of what is reality.

        Then there are statistics and statisticians which are completely biased, cherry picked/picking data to plug into a presentation that’s designed to only support their bias – we call these people, collectively, anti-gun organizations and liars.

        • johnrlott
          johnrlott on June 2, 2026 at 11:15 AM

          Thank you.

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