In 2008, for example, some 38.2 per cent of murders and manslaughters committed in the Republic involved firearms. During the same year, just 6.8 per cent of murders and manslaughters committed in England and Wales involved a firearm.
However the homicide rates themselves are comparable, so it’s not that Ireland is more dangerous than England, but it would seem that it has greater ease of access to guns than England and Wales. Still it would be good to see the long term comparisons.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
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