I am terrified of guns, I am also terrified of the people who carry them, whatever Nationality they happen to be. I would not however presume to criticise another culture, particularly as that other culture happens to be my host on this forum. However, over here in the UK it is difficult for some of us to understand the whole thing about the right to own a gun, probably because it is so alien to our own culture. Having read with interest all of the above threads I can only say that I am glad that I do not have to decide whether or not to own a gun ( hand guns are illegal over here because of the Dunblane tragedy) because I can understand the logic that if everyone else has got one then I had better have one too, is that not what brought us the proliferation of atomic weapons in the world. I can only hope that more Americans ( and others) decide to be responsible gun owners like the ones that have written here so that there are no more senseless killings of innocent people in schools, supermarkets, retirement homes etc. In the meantime look after yourselves.

Viv