Oh boy, do we like secret guns in NE Minn. or what?

I caught this late but if you haven’t seen this map of concealed handgun permit density in Minnesota, you should. Northeastern Minnesota has a lot more concealed handgun permits per capita than the rest of the state. Minnesota Public Radio’s Dave Peters explores the question, why?

It’s not hunting. Though the region has a conservative streak to it, it’s far from the most conservative region there is. It’s something deeper than all that.

Comments

  1. They don’t have to be concealed in MN (though in public, sensible permit holders don’t show off their piece). The high concentrations pretty much correspond with the state’s forest cover. In my class, a number of participants noted that they wanted to be able to carry while they were out on their ATVs, for the same reasons they would bring a Leatherman tool.

  2. I will freely admit that gun ownership can lead to responsible people that make mature decisions, and approach firearms in a very disciplined manner. Many gun owners learn habits and awareness they are able to apply in their daily lives.

    Does anyone else agree that focusing on people rather than guns would do more for eliminating gun violence? The root cause of gun violence is usually people, not guns.

    A study published:

    N Engl J Med 1993; 329:1084-1091October 7, 1993

    The study found lots of interesting pieces, for example:

    Despite the widely held belief that guns are effective for protection, our results suggest that they actually pose a substantial threat to members of the household. People who keep guns in their homes appear to be at greater risk of homicide in the home than people who do not. Most of this risk is due to a substantially greater risk of homicide at the hands of a family member or intimate acquaintance. We did not find evidence of a protective effect of keeping a gun in the home, even in the small subgroup of cases that involved forced entry. (Kellerman et al., 1993)

    We should focus on the well-being of people. I am less concerned with the tool, and more concerned with why people use the tool on others.

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  4. Availibility also increases accidental shootings(often fatal), and completed suicides.

  5. I completely agree with you, Jackie. Availability is a major issue. Great point. Thanks for bringing that up.

  6. Agree with T on causes of gun violence. I am indifferent on guns personally, but economic and social and mental health causes of crimes, accidents and otherwise preventable deaths are a real concern that can be addressed in a variety of ways, depending on your political mood.

    Travis, that’s the most logical explanation I’ve seen for this. Forest cover and the desire to carry guns in the woods when not hunting. Permits needed, hence the map. I do think there is a social/cultural “we love guns” thing, but that might have correlation with the woods.

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