I don't like when someone starts spouting off statistics such as gun crime rates in the U.S. The U.S. is made up of very diverse peoples and places. The vast majority of gun violence happens within the inner cities and metro areas. It is both unfair and stupid to equally apply gun laws over an entire spectrum when the problem is focused in primarily one area.
The source of the problem is not guns. The source is borderline criminality that is caused by unsavory and oft illegal activities.....drugs, prostitution, and gangs. Domestic problems, the broken family system that is encouraged by our government and major media outlets, is also a big source where guns become involved.
Do you remember all the various school shootings? Columbine, VT, NIU, and slews of others. What was blamed? What was called for to be restricted? What was the perceived culprit? Guns. But, of the major shooting incidents, there was one thing that all the shooters had in common: they were doped up on prescription drugs. Our society is literally doped up. These prescription drugs are no better than the illegal drugs out there.