More people die from stabbings then from gunshots.
The data I can find (at least for murders) don't bear that out:
Source 1 Source 2Unless people are committing suicide by stabbing, that is. Not a way I would choose!
Snopes isn't so sure about the coconuts figure, either. I can tell you from personal experience, it isn't true in New England.
Back to topic -- price inflation on everything really is unsettling to this retiree. The options seem to be, save your money until it's worthless anyway, or spend it now, while it buys something, and plan on going broke later.