# If all the civilian guns in the USA magically disappeared, would death rates rise or lower? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 13, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-civilian-guns-in-the-usa-magically-disappeared-would-death-rates-rise-or-lower/810496 "2018-03-13T16:17:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 36
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-civilian-guns-in-the-usa-magically-disappeared-would-death-rates-rise-or-lower/810496/36 "2018-03-22T19:03:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Based on that Japan should have a nearly zero suicide rate instead of one significantly higher that the USA. Only if you are foolish enough to believe that the **only** thing that affects the suicide rate is firearm ownership. However, I am confused about something. I specifically restricted myself to American cites, because as you said in a different gun thread … > [@Would murder and/or death rates rise, or lower, if the 2nd Amendment was abolished?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-murder-and-or-death-rates-rise-or-lower-if-the-2nd-amendment-was-abolished/810491/22): > > Becuase the rest of the world isnt the USA. So why are you now bringing up Japan to mock my cites from two American research institutions? According to your own statements, which I am happy to cite on request, you can’t compare gun control from another country to America. So WTF does Japan have to do with anything here? --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-civilian-guns-in-the-usa-magically-disappeared-would-death-rates-rise-or-lower/810496)._