You're really hitting all the talking points of the gun ban crowd, and appear to have never heard of the fact that Americans use firearms to legally PREVENT millions of crimes. Have at a search engine for information about it.
Also, how's England doing with the knife ban? They gonna ban spoons next? Rocks and sticks? How many gun crimes in America are committed by NRA members?
None.
All the crime committed with guns is committed by armed criminals - who we need to protect ourselves against, as the police only show up after the crimes have been committed.
Have a look at rape statistics in Florida, where the law was changed to encourage women to carry firearms after a spate of rapes. The rapes ended.
Also, how reasonable is it to ban something I can PRINT at home?
When a government fears it's citizens, they are free. When the citizens fear the government, they are slaves.
Lotsa slaves in this world, and taking guns from Americans would dramatically increase them.
In England the government has cameras in the LIVING ROOMS of parents of truant children.
Don't try that here.
I must admit, you're absolutely right. The UK is getting bad for banning things. Even schools ban kids from having fun! It's crazy really.
In regards to guns and knives, if I'm honest, I'd rather take my chances against someone with a knife than someone who can stand metres away and take aim.
The sad thing is, all these gun arguments comes after events such as these. It's the victims and their families I think about. As for the politic side of things.. I really don't know what would be the best thing, and I would never pretend to. I just wish everyone could get along. But then, I'm sure everyone thinks the same thing!
How about doctors stop prescribing mind altering drugs? How about people on those drugs not being allowed to keep their guns perhaps? You get a prescription for said drug, and you don't get the drug until you turn in your weapons. Even that doesn't work though. How about we ban predators and sociopaths? Nope. That doesn't work either. We can remove them from society though. That does work.
Guns in the hands of potential victims is the best way to remove those predators from society.
Better yet, predators tend not to attack armed victims. This is why rapes declined so precipitously in Florida after women there were encouraged to carry concealed firearms. It's also why unions exist in America.