< seanconnorius voce>: The Pen is Mightier: "As far as what's happened in England, I think there are some intrinsic sociological differences to keep in mind. England, and nearly all western european countries, have a long history of forking over a certain number of personal liberties in exchange for what they see as "security" from threats. Some of it's cultural. Much of it comes from so many different countries, often with different agendas and beliefs, bordering each other so closely with easy movement between them. And maybe there's something to their being nations with a historically feudal power system."
For centuries Britain required all men to train as archers. For centuries Switzerland required all men to train as riflemen. For centuries Prussian and Russian youth hunted as a necessary rite of passage to manhood. Europe had a long and proud tradition of marksmanship.
"You're predicating this assessment on the agendas of those antis with federal power. Assuming "crushing people" is the end game of every anti-gun politician (which I highly doubt that it is) ..."
That's what they said in [pick almost any European country in 1944].
"... that still says nothing of the average anti-gun civilian who has no political axe to grind. What's their end game? Why do they want us disarmed? Is it because they're masochistically looking to get "crushed" by their government?"
Believe it or not, yes -- I actually do believe that.
"The question I often ask antis myself is, what about Canada? We have an example of a traditionally pro-gun culture, where firearms ownership is very high, but where gun crimes are not as prevalent as they are here. I'm not saying that there's something in their system we should be emulating (and I know they're up to some gun control nonsense these days as well), but I think Canada is a useable reference when talking to antis to say, "Look...the guns themselves aren't necessarily the problem. Something else is. Let's work on the something else."
Drive through Toronto, then drive through Chicago. Remarkably similar cities. One major exception.