With respect to the gun homicide statistics discussed above, I pulled together some other statistics. No death rate is "acceptable," but it is interesting to compare how American society seems more tolerant of some causes of death than others:

443,000 deaths annually from tobacco (including second hand smoke) [CDC 2000-2004]

49,400 deaths annually from second-hand tobacco smoke [CDC 2000-2004]

35,900 traffic fatalities in 2009 (all causes) [US Census Bureau]

10,590 traffic fatalities in 2009 from speeding [US Census Bureau]

12,700 traffic fatalities in 2009 involving alcohol [US Census Bureau]

5,400 traffic fatalities in 2009 from distracted driving [US Census Bureau - and note that this figure is likely seriously under-reported]

41,500 poisoning fatalities in 2009 [CDC]

1,800 teen suicides annually by suffocation [CDC - annual average]

700 children on average drown every year, most in swimming pools [CDC 2005-2009]

1,211,500 abortions in the US in 2008 [CDC]

Last edited by Doverham; 05/09/13 11:37 PM.
Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.