Final answer:
The claim that the United States does not have a significant firearm homicide issue is false. Despite a drop in gun crime since the early 1990s, the U.S. still has a higher rate of gun-related crimes and overall incarceration compared to other advanced nations. The perception of crime worsening may be influenced by media coverage.
Step-by-step explanation:
False, The notion that the claim regarding the United States' major problem with firearm homicide is exaggerated can be considered false. The data show that while the United States may not be ranked first globally in firearm homicide rates, it still has a significant issue, especially when compared to other highly industrialized nations. The United States does indeed have a higher incarceration rate and a greater number of gun-related crimes than many of these nations.
According to a Pew Research study, the gun homicide rate has declined by 49% since the peak in 1993, yet the public perception is that crime has actually worsened. This could be due to sensational media coverage that amplifies fear and misperception among the public. Furthermore, the United States suffers from very violent crimes at a rate that is higher than many other countries, due in part to the relatively easy access to firearms.
Compared to the rest of the world, as per United Nations statistics, regions like Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa experience the highest murder rates. Nonetheless, when compared to other industrialized nations, the United States' rate of violent crime and homicide, often involving firearms, is notably high. Interactive maps and data from sources such as the FBI also indicate variance in homicide rates within the United States, with certain states having higher rates than others. Therefore, while the U.S. might not rank at the very top internationally for murders per 100,000 people, it does face a substantial challenge concerning gun violence relative to its economic peers.