Why do people equate statistics from another country (USA) to what would happen in UK? Are you oblivious to cultural differences and trends? Don't you think these matter?
A simple example: American's, in general, do not have the drinking problem that is prevalent in many areas of Britain. Most of us, if not all, have experienced fights taking place in pubs/clubs involving drunk people. Would you rather they had guns?
Also, I don't understand the "need" to own a gun? Why do people need to have guns and feel that their liberties are stepped upon simply because they are not allowed to own a rocket launcher?? I understand the right to carry a hunting rifle but that's all. What exactly is the point of owning an instrument that has an only purpose that of killing someone. Protection? Protection from whom? Burglars? So people are comfortable with the idea of killing a burglar? I can't see the use of a gun as a "deterrant" as the point is in using it, e.g. you wouldn't own a gun to deter a burglar unless you are ready to use it. Well, are you ready to kill someone who wants to steal your TV? (maybe you are, maybe you aren't).
To all those that claim that "if everyone had a gun, then burglars would think twice", well, what happens with those that choose NOT to own a gun, are we sitting ducks then as every burglar WILL have a gun? By the way, this notion that criminals who wish to have guns find ways of getting them even if they are illegal, it's ridiculous. Seriously, how many criminals have you seen/heard of carrying guns compared to the amount that will carry guns (chavs ringing a bell?) if it was legally accessible. I feel bad walking down the high street sometimes with all the retarded chavs messing around, nevermind if they were allowed to own guns as well. I feel bad when a fight breaks up in a pub at friday night, nevermind if the drunk idiots carried a gun as well.
Perhaps you should look at gun-crime statistics at countries that do not allow firearms at all for citizens apart from hunting rifles. How come gun crime is extremely low there? It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that no one can buy a gun there for any reason whatsoever, would it?
Guns are made to kill people, not protect yourself. If you want to protect your home install a sturdier door, put iron bars outside your windows, put alarms or whatever to discourage the burglar. You don't need to have a gun under your pillow so that in the event someone breaks in then someone will die. What a silly notion.
Oh, and can someone show us the statistics with gun related robberies/muggings etc? Have they gone up or down in places with tighter controls? That would be interesting.
/signing off.