"**a society as a whole**"

I understand that Bill, and I agree about sweeping generalisations as being English I'm subject to them all the time. A good example of this is the Scottish independence debate; I'm a socialist and supporter if the yes vote, but as my country is run by a public school elite I get tarred wight he same brush. So of course individuals have their own opinions, but they are also part of the society they live in and with that comes a degree of responsibility.

At the end of the day, if people in the US thought there should be no guns then that consensus would (ideally, if it happens anywhere these days) be listened to. But the consensus amongst your countryfolk is that guns are good and the odd massacre and accidental death is a price worth paying for your 'freedom'. Here in the UK the consensus is firmly against guns except for people that use them for a living or under very strict control; the peelers (although thankfully most of our force is unarmed), farmers, sorts shooters, toffs that enjoy killing and the occasional conservationist hunter.

One of your countrymen was on the radio yesterday on a phone-in discussing the Uzi-wielding 9 year old. He made is very clear that he loves the UK because he feels safer as everyone isn't armed and can walk the streets without fear.

There's a cultural difference here too, but let's not discuss that. It's obvious if you look.