Nope sorry you are trying to claw at facts to make them fit your point.
A section 1 firearms licence is far harder to get over here than a gun licence in america. Do you know how many people pass checks that shouldn't over there. Also the private sales of guns is massive loophole in the US. The fact that there are so many guns and millions of those have been sold on without checks or conveniently been misplaced means that there are a glut of weapons able to fall into the wrong hands. Do you know how many people in america own handguns for protection solely because the criminals have them so they feel the need to own one too. The failure of adequate checks and a seriously unregulated aftersale market helps create the circular logic of ownership. It is partly cultural but mainly just a vicious circle started because it is too easy for weopons to be in the hands of scumbags.
It is no coincidence that the country with the highest amount of guns also has the highest amount of gun related crime in the civilised world.
Sorry sir, but you have a lot of incorrect information here.
1st. Our Constitution is Law. COTUS (Constitution of The United States) protects our right to arm ourselves from any Gov't intrusion. It doe NOT grant us any Rights, it protects them.
We also do not have any licensing requirements for ownership. We do have a background check if you are buying from an FFL (Federal Firearm Licensed Dealer).
Not only does it check for criminal flags, but also citizenship. Which makes a LOT of sense. We do have many States that require a "permit" to carry on your person. It is technically a violation of Law (COTUS).
Private sales are not a "loophole" it is EXACTLY how COTUS is written, so, I will say politely, you have it backwards.
I do like how you lay out "civilized world". This is a political term that is basically saying "non poors". We also love keeping data. For good or bad, we just keep too many records.
Far too many countries have either Gov't killing the citizens, or killing each other. In almost EVERY country, Gov't has a monopoly on violence. Think about that.
I will ask you to please, for all things decent, stop getting your information from the media. They are 90% liars, and our population is far too gullible to to do our own research.
That said, do we have a gun problem, no sir. We have a really shitty legal system, along with some terrible social systems that are....how can I say..... oppressive . I dont mean racist, I mean oppressive. We have a multi tier legal system based on social pressure. Not kidding, and it is not only sad, but infuriating.
I dont claim to know it all, but what I do know comes from someone who, if my home was ever raided, would read like a guy ready to go to war with a small country. Funny thing is, I am a small player in the massive group of people I know, when it comes to the number of guns owned. Having 30-50,000 rounds of various ammo is a bit embarrassing to be honest.
I really cant beg enough (and I hate begging) PLEASE stop listening to the media.
EDITED TO ADD: We do have a few States that have a FOID (Firearms Ownership I.D.) card, and may have you list the guns you own.
This is also a violation of law.
Which is why I've been very careful to talk about shotgun certificates. Very few people here choose to get one, but very few people couldn't.
No, how many?
I guess that depends on whether you consider Brazil and Mexico to be civilised or savage.
In any case, I'm not arguing that point. If I could Thanos-snap away all guns, everywhere, forever, I'd do it (to howls of approval from lions and tigers and bears, oh my).
Given that I can't, I'm more interested in a dispassionate comparison of the systems. To be very clear, I'm not arguing in favour of the US situation, or its system. I'm more concerned with ours, and how it demonstrably doesn't stop wrong 'uns from getting shooters.
It's actually surprising that more career criminals don't get their hands on shotguns here, directly or through a mule. Perhaps they think that it's harder than it is.
I like the way you think sir.
Very level headed and honest.