Robert Bridge: Many people get the impression that the gun-loving US is one large shooting gallery from coast to coast. But surprising as it may be, the bulk of the nation is relatively safe from such violence. In fact, America is currently enjoying its lowest murder rates – just under four murders out of 100,000 per annum – since national recordkeeping began in 1900 (by comparison, the US murder rate is about 70% higher than Canada’s 1.91 per 100,000 people in 2024 and Australia’s approximately 2 per 100,000.) ☕