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

May 9, 2026 | Defensive Gun Use, Original Research

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

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

    • johnrlott

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

      • Jack

        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

          Thank you.

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Trump Administration Decision Not to Criminally Prosecute Licensed Dealers who Sell Handguns to 18, 19, and 20 Year Olds. Showing that the Victimization Rate for Murder and Rape is Higher for 18 to 20 Year Olds than 21 to 23 Year Olds. That is Relevant if a Gun Ban Primarily Disarms Law-abiding People Relative to Criminals.

Trump Administration Decision Not to Criminally Prosecute Licensed Dealers who Sell Handguns to 18, 19, and 20 Year Olds. Showing that the Victimization Rate for Murder and Rape is Higher for 18 to 20 Year Olds than 21 to 23 Year Olds. That is Relevant if a Gun Ban Primarily Disarms Law-abiding People Relative to Criminals.

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