You can see from the map that the highest rates of FGAs among whites are concentrated in the non-coastal southern states. Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana--big hunting states--are the exceptions. According to the General Social Survey (GSS), the highest percentage of people who hunt are those who live in the mountain states.
High hunting rates might help explain the high FGA levels in the South, but people are just as likely to hunt in the north central region of the country (GSS), and their FGA rates are low.
"but people are just as likely to hunt in the north central region of the country (GSS), and their FGA rates are low"
ReplyDeleteScandinavian influence, perhaps? Persons of that background are known for being deliberate, orderly and difficult to startle.
Might also be in the reporting. Maybe some states are more willing to call a shooting an "accident" while others would not. I don't know of course, but it makes me wonder. I have heard of people complaining that certain liberal cities rule more deaths suicides. It would be interesting to see if there really is a pattern of more suicides vs. homicides as well as accidents vs. homicides. That is what percent of fatal shootings are ruled suicide, homicide or accident and does it vary by region.
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