Gun murder by strangers

Factual Questions
1

Does anyone know the following statistic? Of all homicides by gun, what in what percentage of the cases is the murder by a stranger and what percentage by acquaintances, including coworkers, friends [sic], family, and self?

The Liberal party in Canada has just proposed banning of handguns by individuals. This gets the usual letters to the papers pointing out that then only criminals will have guns. Point taken (although even criminals might have less incentive to carry guns, but I am not prepared to argue that), but I started to wonder if the real point of banning handguns wasn’t precisely to take them out of the hands of normally law-abiding people. I assume, BTW, that the chances of actually using your gun to save yourself, while not non-existent, are negligeable.

2

Don’t assume that. There have been studies done in the US that show guns are used more often for defensive purposes than for homicides. Of course, I’m not sure how accurate these studies are nor am I sure if you could apply them to Canada’s situation.

3

I don’t know if it will answer your question exactly, but you can find useful information here : http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/homtrnd.htm