Halbrooks is misinterpreting data

Once again I must respond concerning the issue of gun control discussed in letters between myself and Jacob Halbrooks ("Cusick's gun control argument is unconvincing," 3/9). Halbrooks alleges that homicides, assault, etc. went up astronomically following the Australian handgun ban of 1996. Two points: 1.) Homicides went down from 1997-98. "There were 333 homicide victims recorded by the police in Australia in 1998, with 1.8 victims per 100,000 population. This represents about a nine percent decrease from the rate in 1997," (www.aic.gov.au/stats/facts99/sec3.html). This is NOT an increase in homicides.