The problem a lot of you are over looking is that the more guns there are available, the easier it is for the wrong people to get them. Further, the more guns are readily available, the more likely people are to use them to settle a problem.
Here in Canada, guns are fairly uncommon, and not found very often in the hands of criminals. The biggest source of weapons for criminals is the US as they get smuggled up illegally from states with loose gun laws. To own a gun here you need a gun license, criminal check, etc. Handguns and semi/auto weapons are restricted. Our gun violence levels are very low (so are our murder rates, but I would attribute that more to societal & demographic differences), with gun violence being highest in cities which boarder close to the US.
Lets face it, the biggest source of guns for criminals are stolen weapons (or illegally sold & reported stolen guns), and gun fairs / states with lax gun laws.
Also about the US Constitution. Why do you guys consider it to be some holy writ that is unalterable (and thus must be perfect)? It's been amended and altered many times since its initial drafting. As for the right to bear arms, well that was written at a time when the US was fighting for its independence, feared possible re-invasion from Britain, and when the difference between military and civilian firearms was non existent (unlike today where there is a huge difference between your typical bolt action hunting rifle, and a mil spec assault rifle). I don't think the founding fathers of the US considered the possibility of civilians running around with assault rifles with 100 round cmags; back then the weapons were all single shot with a lengthy reload period.
As for me, I support gun ownership to a point; but I don't see why civilians should have access to military grade firearms, concealed or open carry, or be allowed to have massive stockpiles of guns and ammunition. I also think laws need to be seriously tightened up, and administered at the federal level (I know you all are gonna love that idea) to ensure equal enforcement across the country.
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