Letters: Philip Booth
It was interesting to see Peter Tompkins’ review of the book by fellow actuary Terry Arthur, “Crap: A Guide to Politics” (March 2008, p46) but the reviewer is surely unfair. The book is a satirical one, yet the reviewer seems to want every remark made by the author to be backed up by an academic treatise.
Indeed, the reviewer is slacker than the author in this regard — and one of Peter Tompkins’ assertions may well be of interest to actuaries. Terry Arthur suggests that removing gun control might reduce crime and Tompkins replies by saying, “Like in the US?” Well, yes, like in the US. Crime in the UK is two-and-a-half times the level in the US. While cause and effect cannot be proven, the States, with its more liberal gun laws, has the least crime.
Clearly, if only criminals own guns, because they are illegal, then criminals control a thriving black market — as is now the case in the UK. On the other hand, if gun ownership is legal, there can be strong deterrent effects. As the grim Texan joke goes — ‘the most popular form of suicide in Texas is housebreaking’. Beneath that bad-taste joke lies a serious point. Criminals, like actuaries, dislike uncertainty.
Philip Booth
3 March 2008
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