How distorted data continues to shape bad policy.
If there’s one thing the gun debate desperately needs, it’s clarity. Not more shouting, not more spin—just facts. That’s why I invited Guy Smith, founder of Gun Facts and author of Guns and Control: A Nonpartisan Guide to Understanding Mass Public Shootings, Gun Accidents, Crime, Public Carry, Suicides, Defensive Use, and More onto Forge of Freedom for a recent conversation (Episode 181). What followed was an eye-opening, no-nonsense discussion about firearms, public safety and how distorted data continues to shape bad policy.
Smith isn’t your typical gun rights advocate. He describes himself as “an old-school Bay Area liberal,” not exactly the stereotype conjured up by the media when they talk about Second Amendment defenders. That’s precisely what makes his work so valuable. Smith approaches the issue with the dispassionate lens of a data analyst and researcher. He’s spent years dissecting gun control claims, citing original sources and building a robust, nonpartisan database that challenges the conventional wisdom on firearms.
During our conversation, Smith made one thing clear: Most of what people believe about guns—especially those shaping public policy—is not just wrong, but provably wrong.
Debunking the ‘Gun Show Loophole’ and Other Myths
One of the most persistent claims in the gun control narrative is the so-called “gun show loophole.” The popular belief is that anyone can walk into a gun show and walk out with an AR-15—no background check, no paperwork, no questions asked. It’s a claim repeated in newsrooms, congressional hearings and activist campaigns.
But, as Smith explained, this is pure fiction. “There is no gun show loophole,” he said. “That phrase was invented by gun control organizations because it sounded ominous. But there’s nothing special about a gun show. The same laws apply there as anywhere else.”
In truth, licensed dealers are still required to run background checks, even at gun shows. Private sales are a different matter—but those are equally legal if done outside a show. What’s really being debated isn’t a “loophole” but whether the government should regulate all private transactions.
Suicide and Gun Death Statistics: The Hidden Truth
Smith also shed light on how statistics are often manipulated to create a false sense of crisis. Take the much-cited figure that “40,000 people die from gun violence each year.” It’s a shocking number—until you realize what it includes.
“The majority of those deaths are suicides,” Smith said. “In fact, roughly two-thirds of gun deaths are suicides, and those are very different from homicides in terms of causation and prevention.”
That distinction matters. Suicide is a public health issue, not a criminal one. Policies aimed at restricting lawful gun ownership in the name of reducing suicide often miss the mark and ignore broader mental health solutions.
Smith pointed to international data showing that countries with strict gun laws, like Japan, still have high suicide rates. “People bent on suicide find a method,” he said. “Reducing gun availability doesn’t necessarily change that outcome. It just changes the means.”
Mass Shootings: Rarity vs. Reality
Few events capture national attention like mass shootings, and understandably so. They are horrifying, tragic and senseless. But they are also statistically rare, and that’s something the media often fails to communicate.
Smith highlighted research showing that mass shootings account for less than 1 percent of all gun deaths. “They’re what I call ‘statistical noise,’” he explained. “They’re emotionally powerful, but from a policy standpoint, you don’t write national laws based on extremely rare events.”
That’s not to say mass shootings don’t matter. But it does mean we should be cautious about building sweeping gun control laws on the back of emotional trauma rather than empirical data.
The Data Is Out There—But You Have to Dig
One of the most important takeaways from my conversation with Smith is this: The information is available, but you won’t find it in most media outlets or political speeches. Smith’s website, GunFacts.info, compiles peer-reviewed research, government reports and historical data to provide a comprehensive view of gun issues—without the spin.
What makes his work stand out is the commitment to transparency. His claims are footnoted. His charts are well-sourced, and his conclusions invite scrutiny.
That’s refreshing in a world where narratives often trump nuance. Whether you’re a gun owner, policymaker or concerned citizen, Smith’s message is the same: Do your homework.
Why the Truth Matters
In today’s polarized climate, facts are more than an intellectual exercise—they’re a moral obligation. Policies built on lies or half-truths don’t just fail to solve problems, they create new ones. When people believe guns are the primary driver of crime, they push laws that restrict liberty without improving safety. When they ignore mental health in favor of targeting inanimate objects, they miss the root causes of violence.
This is why I believe conversations like the one I had with Smith are so important but, unfortunately, so rare. We need more voices willing to cut through the noise, challenge the orthodoxy and follow the evidence wherever it leads.
For gun owners, that means arming ourselves not just with firearms, but with knowledge. We must be able to defend our rights not only with passion, but with facts. Because, ultimately, the battle for the Second Amendment isn’t just fought in the courts or legislatures—it’s fought in the minds of our neighbors, our communities and our country.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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