I don't dispute them....I do however understand that firarms prevent a lot of crimes...some estimates are between 1.5-2.5 mil a year.
"Americans, in part due to mainstream media’s anti-gun bias, dramatically underestimate the defensive uses of guns. Some, after using a gun for self-defense, fear that the police may charge them for violating some law or ordinance about firearm possession and use. So many Americans simply do not tell the authorities."
http://www.wnd.com/2005/09/32103/