The point would seem to be that firearm regulations don't make as much difference to crime/quality of life as people seem to think: clearly other qualities matter more.

John, I have to be honest, this is a rather disturbing conclusion.

Certainly, I don't tell people every day, "hey, this country rocks because I can own a gun". And truth be told, I personally wish I didn't feel it important to do so. But I have a moral obligation to protect myself and my family. This is not out of a "caveman pound fist and provide food for wife" mentality - it is my choice, based on a right guaranteed to me by the U.S. Constitution. My wife is far more ot the left than I am (hard to believe, right?), but she is in full agreement with me.

I'm going to make a personal statement: in my opinion, the United States is the greatest country in the world. That does not mean I believe American citizens are better than other citizens - I believe this COUNTRY is the greatest country. Certainly not because we can own guns....but because we have the greatest set of principles concerning the rights of individuals and the nature of government. (Which, sadly, the very leaders elected to protect are falling short of doing so).