"..So do all you seemingly lovely, tolerant, easygoing US Mudcat types all carry guns? "

Read the thread again...carefully. Some of us are as opposed to liberal gun laws as YOU are.

This country is huge...and for the first 200+ years that it was settled by "those from across the pond", guns were useful in everyday life for many on the 'frontier'. Sadly, owning guns got to be a habit, then a hobby, then a hazard...
There are still perfectly understandable reasons for 'some' to own certain types of firearms. If I lived in a rural area or near a wilderness area (not a lot of those in Great Britain anymore), I might acquire a gun. I know a man who supplements his menu with deer he finds in his own yard! But owning a handgun, just because you fear others who do, in urban areas, is a sad situation.

   The situation now has grown out of easy control...there are SO many illegal guns...especially handguns...in the possession of people who cannot be trusted, that is is easy to argue for 'self-defense' as a reason for allowing legal ownership. Some of us contend that VERY restrictive gun laws would gradually improve the situation, but since the history and lobbyist pressures are as they are, I doubt that we have much chance of getting such regulation.

I have decided to take my chances....so far, so good...*smile*