If Saturn and Jupiter ceased to exist...would that mean that the Earth would...

[Tribblesmmm]

...become riddled with comets? I know a lot of items/ space junk impact into these two planets very often. Are those two planets kind of protecting us in a way?
Would it mean that the Earth would be devastated if we did not have shielding or is it down to our position in the solar system?

 

[JasonM]

Jupiter is the #1 target of comet impacts in the solar system. The actual answer is sorta controversial, with some people saying that Jupiter's gravity protects the earth by diverting comets, but then again other people say it also causes comets that wouldn't hit earth to be diverted anyways too, so there's no net change.

Saturn is the same but on a smaller scale.

 

[andys]

Interesting question, I don't think so. In addition to capturing comets and asteroids gravitationally Jupiter and Saturn have been known to slingshot them into the inner solar system on occasion too. One such event resulted in a near miss to Earth in the late 18th century.