Cause and Effect

Just 2 weeks ago I wrote about the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus arguing that allowing students to carry weapons on campuses would make them safer places. Obviously I don't agree with it, but think that's rather ridiculous. Now in the face of everyday incidents the British government started an advertising campaign supporting my point of view:

If you carry a knife, you are more likely to get stabbed yourself.

The question is if this statement can stand deeper investigation, especially in terms of cause and effect. I expect at least the statistical correlation to be verifiable. I would not be surprised though if the actual correlation is between the crime rate of the districts those people live in and the chance of getting stabbed (which is a quite logical conclusion since stabbing is a crime on its own). And those people just carry knives with them to feel safer.

The campaign wants to make 2 points directly supporting their view though: The chance your knife is being used against you: A knife that you don't carry with you can obviously not be used against you. And (not only out of this) the only imaginary safety, similar to what I asked 2 weeks ago ("How do they think this is going to work out?"):

When someone is attacked by a knife they normally find out AFTER they have been stabbed.

Whatever cause and effect are, the point is made - and I highly support it. Imagine only few people don't carry a knife anymore. The next time they argue they can't pull their knives immediately. They stay with words - or fists which are at least not as harmful as knives. Now just imagine what this means for the US and guns!

If you are not too sensitive watch the videos like the imaginary knife wounds lecture.