Many Americans, terrified of violent crime, attempt to protect themselves by owning guns. However, statistics provided in this brief fact sheet reveal that people who choose to have a gun easily available are in fact putting their families and friends into greater danger since far more homicides occur during domestic arguments than during robberies. Persons in an enraged or depressed state with access to a gun often forget the original intent of ownership, and a highly charged non-lethal situation can easily turn into a homicide. A chart on percentage of homicides in the United States in 1988, by weapon used and sex of victim is included. (RB)