The fact is that the chances of being killed by a gun in the UK in a year are the same as getting a Heart or Diamond royal flush dealt to you in a hand of poker. I suspect from ‘The Fool's’ perspective in Australia the chances are similar if not less likely.
What are your chances of being attacked without guns? Per 10,000 people.
How different are the cultures? Especially the gang/crime cultures?
How prevalent are drugs?
You're talking about two different nations, both that are quite different on multiple levels. I dont' think that a straight side-by-side comparison of violence really shows much. The fact is that you can't get shot in the UK, but fine; it's also a relatively small landmass that can keep control of firearms, I presume. In the same way that Singapore can have a total gun control over their firearms, being an island with a population of 4 million.
See, in the U.S., it's almost impossible, especially with modern record-keeping. Once a gun is stolen or resold, the paper trail gets a bit iffy.
It follows that when you talk about the need to carry a gun for protection it, does not ring any bells with us. We see the chances of needing a gun as so slight that the thought of carrying one round constantly is an anathema.
Yet I have many friends that have, quite frankly, in the past needed to defend themselves. You may think that it's so incredibly rare, but I have friends and know others that have NEEDED the ability to defend themselves.
People here don't care about that, though. They WANT us to be beaten, or injured, or killed, or raped. We can't even have a gun just to be able to defend ourselves... or even for hunting or target shooting.
Hey, I don't expect to get bitten by a poisonous snake when going hiking, but can't I carry a bit of antivenom just in case? Or is that absolutely insane, because my chances are low?
I read Shanek say gun crime is dropping in the US. Good. It is dropping here too. Given the different legislations I suspect limitations or freedom of gun ownership is not the reason for either fall.
It may have a factor, however, especially since, as I mentioned, you're talking two different cultures and landmasses, with two different population sizes. It's easier to regulate shipping in the UK (from what I understand) given that it's an island, but the U.S. is huge with access to both Mexico and Canada, and the desire for firearms is very prevalent within the majority population.
Which is why I liken total gun control with prohibition. It just wouldn't work. Too many people that want their firearms, and too many people willing to supply 'em. We can't even keep illegals from crossing the border when the party in power seems to want to prevent them... how can we prevent guns smuggling? This is even ignoring the firearms still out there. Baron and The Fool love to skip over that bit. And when people refuse to give up their guns... well, people like Baron don't mind throwing someone in jail for that, I suppose.
(For the record, Lothian, I don't mean any vitrial towards you that I've been directing towards Baron or The Fool. You're actually coming back with some reasoned responses. You're far more civilized.

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