@ NeonSamurai
That is the one of the most well-phrased and effective arguments I have ever heard on gun legislation.
Honestly, I've never even heard anyone mention Japan, even in debates. It
is an effective counterpoint to Switzerland and some others, isn't it? Singapore is another good one.
It seems that we have a fundamental disagreement about gun legislation. Honeslty, I don't know which of us is more correct, but I'd rather take responsibility for my own security. Evidently, you have fears that the populace cannot effectively use gun ownership safely against criminals. And that is a valid concern.
However, the Constitution enforces the right of American citzens to bear arms. A right that "shall not be infringed". As such, I remain a staunch proponent of very limited gun control.
On the issue of adressing the causes of gun violence, namely poverty, as you pointed out, I think the best solution is a free market system, and a free society.
The wealthiest nations in the world, per capita, are usually those rated highest on the index of economic freedom. Exceptions include nations with an overabundance of oil.
Switzerland has a very free economy, as does Lichtenstein, and they consistently rate high in terms of GNP per capita. Japan, not so much. Japan is the closest thing to a "centralist" free market on the globe, in economic terms. And, while gun violence per capita is relatively low in Japan, the suicide rate is very high, as is the rate of deadly assault.
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As for if I were a criminal, I doubt that people armed would phase me much. After all I probably belong to a gang, who has been having an armed conflict with another gang, friends have been murdered, I've probably murdered. I would defiantly know how to use my guns very well, and as for civilians, I would simply shoot first if everyone is armed, preferably with a silencer to minimize retaliation. I would probably also be a substance abuser, and not expect to live very long, so I probably wouldn't care a whole lot if I got killed, just as long as I killed you back.
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One last contention here. Criminals do not know how to use guns well. Please understand that this is entirely my own opinion, so take it as you like.
I'm a trained combat veteran, and I live in a state (Texas) where private gun ownership is fairly prevalent. I've seen friends accomplish remarkable feats of marksmanship with virtualy every type of firearm. I, myself, can easily hit a B-type target 500 yards away ten times out of ten, using iron sights on an M16A2 rifle (from the prone), assuming the wind isn't really bad.
If citizens were required to demonstrate adequate marksmanship and gun safety before recieving a permit to carry a firearm in public, perhaps we could reach some common ground?