25 Surprising Facts About Guns And Getting Shot Wounds

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

Since the discovery of propulsion through explosions, firearms have been an integral part of human society. Though gunpowder has had less aggressive applications (such as fireworks), it has predominantly led to a transformation in how we conduct war and violent confrontations. Arguably, the development of gunpowder has shaped the course of human history. Case in point, Europeans arrived in the Americas armed with guns, not the other way around. As a fascinating consequence of historical development, firearms have influenced our current global layout in terms of geography, demographics, wealth, and boundaries. In spite of a relative peace period in developed countries for the last fifty years, the controversy surrounding gun-use, particularly in areas such as the United States, remains fervid. Keeping politics aside, today our focus is on the interesting details surrounding these deadly tools. This includes an array of facts ranging from the light-hearted, the grave, those pertaining to history, and even those revolving around what it feels like to be shot. Regardless of your interest, this list of 25 gun-related, and getting shot-related, facts will undoubtedly offer you something compelling that you may not have previously known.

25

The United States leads the world in gun ownership with 88 guns per 100 citizens. Serbia (69.7) , Yemen (54.8), and Switzerland (45.7) follow behind.

gunsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
24

The US has the 28th highest gun related homicide rate in the world (3.2 deaths per 100,000 people annually).

gunSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
23

According to the FBI there were 8,855 murders in the US in 2012

crime sceneSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
22

However, most gun related deaths in the US are suicides. In fact, in 2012 there were about 20,000 suicides (compared to the 11,000 murders)

emergencySource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
21

The company Daisy Outdoor Products used to sell windmills. With each windmill they would include a BB gun. The guns became so popular that they stopped selling windmills and started only selling the BB guns.

The company Daisy Outdoor Products used to sell windmills. With each windmill they would include a BB gun. The guns became so popular that they stopped selling windmills and started only selling the BB guns.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
20

President Garfield's assassin purchased a gun that he thought would look good in a museum

garfieldSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
19

Russian astronauts take guns into space to protect themselves against bears just in case they have to divert their landing

Russian astronauts take guns into space to protect themselves against bears just in case they have to divert their landingSource: msn.com, Image: wikipedia
18

Over 90% of violent crimes involving guns are committed by men and over 75% of the victims are also men

nypdSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
17

Between police response, emergency transport, hospital fees, court fees, and counseling, the price of one murder in the US totals $441,000

operating roomSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
16

On average, 32 people are murdered every day. If we do a little math, we can see that 32 deaths x $441,000 = over 14 million dollars every day due to gun deaths (that's a lot of money).

police lineSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
15

In Arizona it is legal for any citizen to carry a gun but it is illegal to carry nun chucks

In Arizona it is legal for any citizen to carry a gun but it is illegal to carry nun chucksSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
14

Although your chances of getting shot are less than the media would have you believe. How would it feel? Well, it depends who you ask, but most accounts describe the first second after a gun wound as shock. As in you don't feel anything. What happens next depends on where you were shot but most people describe the initial feeling as burning. After that, things will really begin to depend on the situation. If you have been shot in a critical region then you will most likely pass out.

question markSource: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
13

In the city of Kennesaw, Georgia, every household is legally required to have a gun

In the city of Kennesaw, Georgia, every household is legally required to have a gunSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

The Nazis built the largest gun ever. It weighed over 1300 tons and could hit targets 23 miles away.

The Nazis built the largest gun ever. It weighed over 1300 tons and could hit targets 23 miles away.Source: gizmodo.com, Image: wikipedia
11

Getting shot in the left side of the heart typically causes more bleeding than getting shot in the right side. If you get shot in the liver, it's reversed. The right side usually causes more bleeding.

heartSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
10

Jailers used to carry keys that doubled as mini guns as a last line of defense

Jailers used to carry keys that doubled as mini guns as a last line of defenseSource: gizmodo.com, Image: wikipedia
9

As you may have expected, high trajectory bullets from rifles will do the most damage. However, slower bullets from pistols tend to wobble more, which can also lead to more damage.

rifleSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

TASER is short for "Thomas A Swift’s Electric Rifle"

TASER is short for "Thomas A Swift’s Electric Rifle"Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
7

Don't think bulletproof vests will save you from the pain. Although the bullet won't penetrate, you'll definitely feel like you just got kicked in the stomach by a horse. The next generation of anti-ballistic technology, however, is making use of carbon nanotubes which may rebound the bullets

bulletproof vestSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
6

Shotgun manufacturer Mossberg has a line of guns specifically designed for slaying zombies

Shotgun manufacturer Mossberg has a line of guns specifically designed for slaying zombiesSource: guns.com, Image: wikipedia
5

Bullet holes without exit wounds can actually be more dangerous than those that penetrate straight through. This is because the bullet can ricochet and bounce around inside the body

bullet in brainSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
4

The revolver was first created by Samuel Colt when he was 16 years old

The revolver was first created by Samuel Colt when he was 16 years oldSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
3

Contrary to what Hollywood would have you believe, bullets will not cause you to drop down dead immediately. As you can probably deduce by now, you are capable of being shot numerous times and surviving.

hollywoodSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
2

Mexico has only one legally operated gun store

Mexico has only one legally operated gun storeSource: washingtonpost.com, Image: wikipedia
1

To give you some hard statistics, only 5% of gunshots are fatal. As one doctor noted, "One bullet can kill, but sometimes 20 don't". It's basically dumb luck.

emergencySource: nytimes/Dr. Vincent J. M. DiMaio, Image: wikipedia