Quite frankly, the UK can't be compared to the USA as far as crime is concerned. That said, it's more about the very fact that we have the right to own them.
I agree, and when you know the history of the 2nd ammendment, peoples determination to protect the right to bear arms makes more sense.

I feel much more outrage at the attack on freedom of speech in confiscating cameras. Free speech may be the freedom that all the others depend on.