Sorry, have to ring in here with everyone going \'American\'s and Guns ...\'
First off, between my father and I, we own about 30+ guns. Now I can hear the Europeans going \'See, what does that crazy american need with even one, let alone thirty?\'.
Simple, I\'m a gun enthusiast, I hunt, I practice and I do tournament shooting at times and to be practical, I\'m damn good at it. Let me also point out that my wife and oldest child know how to shoot properly as well and take care of the weapons and we have never shot, nor killed anyone, nor do I plan to any time soon.
That being said, we have run off a burgler with the simply slotting of a few shells and me pumping the gun and informing the said individual that he would certainly be kibble (ala dog meat) if he didn\'t decide to crawl right back through that window and lay on the ground till the cops arrived.
But I digress. The problem isn\'t guns - its people and laws. I can make a simple zip gun out of some pipe and some simple household stuff and put a bullet in your arse simple enough without ever \'owning\' a gun.
The whole problem is, we coddle our criminals, put them in pens where they are fed well and given TV and extra ciricular activities (nevermind the occasional arse raping - my thoughts, they deserve it). Hell the average Death Row immate is on the seat for 8-10 years and more than not they get a stay of execution.
Solution - get a bit barbaric. Yeah, easy to say, not easy to do. Dig a hole and drop anyone in that is guilty of murder, rape and other society atrocities. Theft and the like, lock them up and take away basic rights when they get out (beyond what is currently applicable) and you\'ll certainly see criminal activity drop.
Yes guns kill but its the asshole behind the trigger that is the problem. That\'s like saying McDonald\'s makes you fat. Use common sense and and you\'ll keep from killing anyone and keep the waist from becoming a spare tire or three.
Of course, that\'s just my opinion ...