Point worth considering for our British and Canadian friends: Private ownership of firearms in what is now the US has been a fact of life even longer than it has been a right on this part of the North American continent. We're talking centuries at this point. This in and of itself doesn't make it right or wrong, but may help explain why those of us who peacefully and responsibly exercise that right are reticent to give it up. In many, if not most states, we law-abiding citizens have to (figuratively speaking) jump through a number of legislated hoops in order to purchase and oftimes register firearms. Criminals aren't bothered with such annoyances. An interesting aside; I have been researchng my own family history for most of my life. I can account for each branch of my family back to around 1650 at this point. Each branch of this family tree has consistently owned and used firearms. Usually for hunting. Frequently for self-defense. Many times in war (including the American Revolution, American Civil War (both sides), Spanish-American War, WW I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the middle east, etc.). There has not been a single case of death or injury caused accidentally through misuse. There has been no random violence involving guns. On both sides of my family, guns have been treated as valuable, potentially lethal tools. We don't carry them to church, school, daycare, bars, etc. Much was said following the Columbine school tragedy about how we needed to not allow guns in schools. Many were surprised to learn such laws were already on the books. The real weirdness of that story was that the perpetrators' parents hadn't noticed or dealt with their sons' activities, many of which were carried out at home. Guns and bombs and certain videos in your kid's room should be a clue that all is not well.