But how long-term was the effect of the program? To me that just sounds like there would be another 2000 people with guns, scared into thinking they will be attacked.

I'm sure that if another well publicised campaign was introduced which let criminals know they would have their balls chopped off if they attempted any form of crime, you'd see a similar drop. As with any - even draconian - deterrent I doubt it would put everyone off, or for long.

As I said in my original post, the pro-gun debate mystifies (and depresses) me but I'm not going to change anyone's mind. I shouldn't have written anything.

In reply to this comment by MarineGunrock:
Thank you for enforcing my point about people intent on killing others, gorilla.

There was a program in Florida, I believe in the 70s, where a police department trained and armed 2,000 women with handguns, and publicized it very well. It was shown that crimes committed against women dropped it think 70% after the program was announced to have started.

Reason? Criminals think twice about attacking someone where there's a good chance they have a gun.

Hi Farhad, I expect you've already seen this but it makes interesting reading about the importance the Russian population places on freedom of speech/the press (although it may also confirm your worst fears about Putin's indoctrination...).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/7134918.stm#graph

Thanks...I was going to go for something profound in latin, but between that and the chance to make a puerile joke there only ever going to be one choice.

In reply to this comment by swampgirl:
I just noticed your tags, Gorilla! Hilarious