Amendment Quote by John R. Lott Jr
““Usually, when gun control researchers do a study, only a small set of countries are used in any comparison, typically limited to so-called “civilized,” as David Hemenway or Piers Morgan calls them, or “developed” countries.18 It isn’t clear what is meant by “civilized” countries, so what can Americans learn from these other “developed” nations? First, here is how homicide rates vary across developed countries. Currently, thirty-four countries are in the OECD, though the agency also includes Brazil and Russia in its statistical data, as they meet the definition of “developed.”19 (Both countries have been negotiating for membership, but Russia has had talks suspended because of the Crimea crisis.)””
About This Quote
Source Report: OECD homicide statistics discussion, null
The quote critiques the limited and ambiguous selection of “civilized” or “developed” nations in gun‑control research, questioning the relevance of such comparisons for America.
In simple terms: Research often compares a narrow set of countries, making conclusions about US gun policy uncertain.
Key Takeaway
Beware of biased sample choices in policy studies.
Themes
research methodology
gun control
comparative analysis
Mood
skeptical
critical
analytical
Type
academic
policy
critical
When to use this quote
- academic papers
- policy briefs
- media commentary
- international conferences
Key Concepts
selection bias
definition ambiguity
policy relevance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does country selection affect policy conclusions?
- What alternative metrics could improve comparisons?
A Different Perspective
The term “civilized” is vague and may exclude relevant data, weakening conclusions.
