>>>>The problem is that it's a heckuva lot easier to kill someone with a gun than with pretty much any other weapon.
>>>>
>>>
>>>Wanted to add something - your point is a fair one but I think is flawed because it assumes a perfect world where no one gets any guns. Unfortunatly the crimnals will get them anyway.
>>
>>But somehow a lot more of them have guns here in the US than in other parts of the world. I can't help but believe that's because it's so easy to get guns legally here.
>>
>>Tamar
>
>Still don't agree Tamar. The crooks are not buying, or don't need to, buy guns legally. They get them, period. I live in the most dangerous city in the world. Do you think the crimnals are applying for gun licenses before purchasing their weapons...

You're right, of course.
Here in Canada handguns have been prohibited except by special (and very hard to get) permits since about Confederation (1867). And we still have lots of gun murders. There are collectors as well as sportsmen (and women < s >) who do have hand guns registered. Many of the guns on the street come from robbed collectors, though most from acros the border (U.S., as most big Canadian towns are within 100 KM of the border) either by runners or by "mail".

But "lots" is a relative thing. Here in Toronto we are at arond 70 deaths by guns this year. Most are young black men killing each other.
Now 70 has us here working up a huge stress.
I understand that the "average" U.S. city/town has in excess of 300 gun murders a year. This includes (I believe) accidental shootings (basically never happen here) and domestic trouble (basically never happen here (by gun)).

In other words, I still think there's a good case for making handguns (and rifles, for that matter) more difficult to own legally. I think comparing the Canadian and U.S. experiences is valid.

cheers