I have just woken up to find, to my utmost surprise, that the title of my thread has been slightly changed (guns instead of arms), and that it has sparked some interest. I will calmly read all the posts and possibly reply to some, time permitting.
So, someone rightly noted the connection between this issue (easy access to guns) and mental health care. But I would like to point out that, almost always, those who have mental problems do not know they have them, do not want to admit it, or simply do not want to treat themselves. He would rather blow himself to hell along with everyone else than get treatment.
And then, a person who has always been considered normal, from one moment to the next can have a rapture, a seizure, a momentary insanity, go on a killing spree, and then become lucid again, and perhaps repent.
No!, mental illness (potential, latent or overt) is too prevalent nowadays to consider it rare, accidental or a distant danger.
Besides, how far can self-defense be considered lawful? A guy punches me, and I shoot him? What if he taunts me, provokes me? What if he looks at me threateningly, and I fear he will attack me (instead maybe he was simply brooding, looking into the void)?
Again no!...Your selfishness, mistrust, closure, possessiveness, extreme materialism, lack of solidarity, will be what will lead you to ruin if you all do not find a new balance, based on free integration of others, acceptance of the different, solidarity, without that obsessive fear of losing your property and being deprived of your selfish rights.
So thinks, a humble, distant admirer (but critical and partially repentant) of the american dream and its freedom at all costs.