In Canada in 1995, the average rate of property crime in provinces with strict firearm regulations was 520 crimes per 100,000 persons: about 40 percent higher than the average rate in the ten provinces where strict firearm regulations have never been enacted. Thus one way to reduce property crime is to eliminate strict firearm regulations.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above?

Answer Choices

Correct answer marked below

(A) The annual rate of property crime in provinces with strict firearm regulations has decreased since those regulations were implemented.

Correct

(B) In provinces with strict firearm regulations, few individuals are charged with violating such regulations.

(C) In provinces without strict firearm regulations, many individuals have received extensive training in the use of firearms.

(D) The annual rate of violent crime is lower in provinces with strict firearm regulations than in provinces without such regulations.

(E) More than half of the individuals who reside in provinces without strict firearm regulations own a firearm.

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Explanation

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Official Explanation

Official

The argument suggests that eliminating strict firearm regulations would reduce property crime based on the higher crime rates in provinces with such regulations. To weaken this argument, we need evidence that contradicts the implication that strict regulations lead to higher crime rates. Option (A) states that the…

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Comments

egeMar 27, 2025

Great!

NainikaApr 26, 2025

This is definitely a test-day trap

NikhilAug 8, 2024

this pattern comes up frequently

AshishJan 6, 2025

Thanks for sharingThank you for sharing!!thanks for sharing

What this question tests

What it tests

Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.

Common trap

Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.