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 . ``People who use knives have to be more destructive 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 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 .