It is well known that it is relatively easy to purchase guns in Arizona. In fact, Arizona is one of only a small handful of states that sell the great majority of guns identified as having been used in the commission of crimes nationwide. But a recent study has identified a number of additional factors that the researchers say makes Arizona one of the most dangerous states in the country.
The study was conducted by WalletHub, a personal finance website. It includes 20 different factors that they say go into the mix when determining the relative safety of each of the states and the District of Columbia. Obviously, an important element in the rankings, in addition to gun violence, is criminal activity. This includes the number of sex offenders per capita, as well as the number of murders, non-negligent manslaughter, rapes, drug crimes, assaults, thefts, workplace accidents, natural disasters, and traffic fatalities. The study also took into account the suicide rate, and the number of law enforcement personnel per 100,000 residents.
Other factors were considered, some of which may not, at first glance, appear to have much to do with overall safety. They include the unemployment rate, the number of residents without health insurance, and the foreclosure rate. The researchers say economic factors are important because studies show that those who are economically disadvantaged are at much higher risk for serious illnesses and premature death.
In any event, after taking all these issues into account, Arizona ranks 44th on the scale, from safest to most dangerous. The states that ranked as more dangerous than Arizona include Mississippi (in last place), South Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Nevada. Interestingly, the ten safest states include all the New England states, along with Minnesota, Hawaii, Utah, Virginia and Maine.
A few final thoughts. While the rate of murder and aggravated assault in Arizona has reached its lowest point in decades, statistics from the United States Department of Justice indicate that we have a violent crime rate that is still above the national average. Similarly, the mortgage foreclosure rate in Arizona is declining, but still remains above the national average. And finally, a resident of Arizona is less likely to have health insurance than a resident of any other state in the country except Texas and Nevada.
The Feldman Law Firm PLLC
1 E. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 540-7887
