A study by the New England Journal of Medicine shows that Vancouver is safer than Seattle because of its strict gun laws . Between 1980 and 2005 there were 25 gun deaths in Vancouver , 139 in Seattle . In Seattle handguns may be purchased for self - defense , and after a 30 day wait carried as a concealed weapon . In Vancouver , a person may not purchase a gun for self - defense or carry a concealed weapon . Guns can only be purchased at licensed shooting clubs . Gun organizations , the FBI and Citizens ' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms dispute the conclusions and advocate stricter laws .
A study by the New England Journal of Medicine shows that Vancouver is safer than Seattle because of its strict gun laws. Between 1980 and 1986 there were 25 gun deaths in Vancouver, 139 in Seattle. In Seattle handguns may be purchased for self-defense, and after a 30 day wait carried as a concealed weapon. In Vancouver, a person may not purchase a gun for self-defense or carry a concealed weapon. Guns can only be fired at licensed shooting clubs. Gun organizations, the NRA and Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms dispute the conclusions and advocate stricter penalties.