When do statistics count?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Ever hear people saying "we' re afraid of the police"? 

Why?

Seriously - what are the odds of you being killed by a police officer?

.....

Lets look at some facts.


In 2020 - some 45,000 people got killed with firearms in the USA.

In 2020 - just over 1000 people were killed by police.

Now - even if you discount half of the 45,000 - as they are suicides - you still are 20 times more likely to be killed by gunfire from a civilian, than a cop.



To me this is illogical as someone going into the ocean without a PFD - but is terrified of sharks.....

They are far more likely to drown - but they' re pissing themselves over the idea of a shark attack....

Just plain stupid I think....

You're looking at it wrong - you have to factor in the numbers in the groups doing the shooting and killing.

There are about 700 000 full time law enforcement officers in the US. 1000 deaths by cop equals 0.00143.

There are roughly 80 000 000 civilian firearm owners in the US. 45 000 deaths by civilian equals 0.000562.

This means you are approximately 2.5 time MORE likely to be shot and killed by one of the boys in blue than you are by a member of the public.

Boru

Edit: I dropped a decimal - I'd originally said '25 times MORE likely...' Should have been '2.5 times'. Fixed now.