In the United States in 1986,
the average rate of violent crime in states with strict gun-control laws was 645 crimes per 100,000 persons—about 50 percent higher than
the average rate in the eleven states where strict gun-control laws have never been passed.
Thus one way to reduce violent crime is to repeal strict gun control laws.
Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above? The argument assumes that it is because of their strict gun-control laws that states with such laws have a high rate of violent crime. If that were so, passage of these laws should be associated with increased violent crime. That is there is a CORRELATION between the passage of these laws AND violent crimes.(A) The
annual rate of violent crime in states with strict gun-control laws has decreased since the passage of those laws.
It indicates that the opposite is true and so weakens the argument.
Also, if we notice more carefully, the argument is talking about the relative average rate of violent crimes for states with and without laws. But option A is talking about the overall annual rate that too for the states with the law and it says that the annual rate of violent crimes has decreased, thus we don't need to repeal strict gun control laws. Thus, Correct ANswer.
(B) In states with strict gun-control laws, few individuals are prosecuted for violating such laws.
The infrequency of prosecutions under strict gun-control laws
does not indicate that these laws have no effect on violent crime. What if many individuals were prosecuted for violating such laws, In states with strict gun-control laws :?:
does that weakens the CORRELATION between the passage of these laws AND violent crimes. No, right. Even then also there can be more crimes.
For choice C and E to be relevant more information is needed, such as comparative data about states with strict gun-control laws.(C) In
states without strict gun-control laws, many individuals have had no formal training in the use of firearms.
so what?? what about the states with strict gun-control laws??
(D) The annual rate of
nonviolent crime is lower in states with strict gun-control laws than in states without such laws.
non-violent crimes, we are not concerned..
(E) Less than half of the individuals who reside in states without strict gun-control laws own a gun.
so what?? what about the states with strict gun-control laws??