The odd irony is that people in the US who say they want a gun for protection would probably not know how to use it if faced with a criminal who does. There are very few reports of US citizens being able to protect themselves with a weapon successfully. There are no competency tests with background checks.

Most people who own guns are subject to theft of their weapons by criminals or kids who get into the gun closets.

Britain has the right idea here.

When I went up for jury duty, I told the defense attorney for the guy who used a gun in the commission of a crime that I would immediately pronounce him guilty. I didn't get selected for the jury, obviously.