>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.
>
>That's fine, except that the US has far higher imprisonment and crime rates including firearm crime rates than the other nations I mentioned, one of which requires citizens to hold a firearm and to receive military training so they can use it effectively and others that have more rigorous firearm control. Crime and ability to protect your family does not seem to have a causative relationship to safety in these communities. IOW yours is not a logical position unless you have some other data showing that your preference makes you safer.
>
>I'm going to make a personal statement: in my opinion, the United States is the greatest country in the world etc etc
>
>The US is a great nation indeed.

Lack of firearm training (including when it is appropriate to use one) and poverty and stress, etc play into the use of guns with terrible results I think. It should also be noted that in that country it is assumed that there is at least one weapon inside and the homeowner is trained and experienced in using it :o)