CA v SD, Newsome v Noem,
Statistics and Disinformation

A recent invitation by Governor Noem of South Dakota, followed by a response from Governor Newsome of California illustrates how people use numbers to lie with statistics.

The Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, invited more gun manufacturers and gun owners to come to South Dakota and take up residence. From contracosta.news:

PIERRE, S.D. – Governor Kristi Noem invited California gun manufacturers and law-abiding gun owners to move to South Dakota to escape California's gun and ammunition tax , which Governor Gavin Newsom signed as the first such tax in the country.

"Why would anyone want to live in a state where your Second Amendment rights are infringed?" said Governor Noem. "South Dakota has been setting the standard as the most Second-Amendment friendly state in the nation for years. Our firearms industry is thriving. Unlike Governor Newsom, South Dakota respects our God-riven rights. So if you are a California gun manufacturer or law-abiding gun owner, we are ready to help you make the move!"

On X, formerly Twitter, Governor Gavin Newsom replied:

South Dakota has a 59% higher gun death rate than California.

California, as of 2020, the last year of available records, had a 33% higher homicide rate than South Dakota. .....