i think the murder rate is a bit more relevant than you're giving it credit for tbh. the point you're trying to make with guns =/='ing level of violence i agree with though.

It's not like rape, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, etc. are trifling little crimes that don't matter as long the murder rate is down.
is correct, although with all of those offenses the victim usually walks away with a scar or two. in my opinion they don't even compare to murder, which is why i think it's such an important particular stat