I'll post here first, because I'm pretty sure some pinky is going to want to know my views

First of all, I come from a European background, so it's a given my views will not agree with the general American's views
In my world, we're taught that guns are weapons, that weapons are designed to kill. Killing is not protecting in my book.

So for me, America's Gun Culture is scary in the sense that you're giving your average day Joe a weapon to kill someone. I personally don't see how it can be used to protect either :/

I had this conversation with my dad recently, he's South African, over there they also have a sort of Gun Culture. He used to have a gun too. But out of the conversation, I remember mostly him saying: "I haven't had a gun since I moved to Europe, and I haven't missed it"

Pardon my lack of knowledge here but do people not hunt in Europe / Africa with rifles?

Africa is different from Europe, so I can't tell
In Europe, yeah their are hunters, yeah they use rifles. But there's not too many of them, and they are highly hated by the population. They need permits for pretty much everything before they can hunt

What I mean is that in America, it's easier to get your hands on like a Glock (or Desert Eagle if your Texan ) for "protection" and "to protect your family". In Europe, if you don't need a gun for hunting and/or your job, it's hard to get one.

Yeah well see, that's the part I find hard to swallow. My cousin in South Africa, different build than me 2m10 (yeah I know ) and plays Rugby, also has a gun.
He's been mobbed a few times, with people pointing guns to his head. Maybe he isn't well trained, but the gun didn't help him there :/

I was going to stay away from this topic but..........................

As a former Untied States Armed Forces soldier, I believe with every ounce of my being that those who want guns shouold have them. Of course these scumbags who use them for crimes are excluded.

I was raised by a proud member of the United States Rifle Assoc. and was taught the proper reason for gun possession and how to use one properly.

At the present time I posess 4 hand guns 3 Shot guns and 3 hunting rifles. Those are the ones I can say I have.

While in the army and in Lybia I was involved in a gun fight were I was grazed by a bullett and lost 70% vision in my eye. So yes I payed my dues to protect the constitution of the United States and all the rights given to us by the Founding Fathers.

Good points Kilsek, all around I agree as well, I guess as americans we see things differently some what , having had guns , training, a long term familiarity with guns here in the US. As opposed to other countries without the Right to Bare Arms.
My dad being a cop, I was also trained young at the shooting range at 12 yrs old how to handle, shoot and care for guns. As a teenager , I wanted to become a gun smith and make pretty guns for women. ( Feminine weaponary = Hot! )
I don't think it is bad to have the kind of confidence american gun holders have to know that if necessary we all should know how to protect ourselves and take a life to defend our own, if we ever had to. Because I for one , am a fighter at heart and will never lay down my life to allow some one else to choose my fate for me.

I don't hunt, or kill animals for food, or to mount them on my walls for trophy showings, But strictly for protection do I own guns. And with the proper care and training I will always be prepared and confident enough in myself to know that if I have mere seconds to protect or save mine or a loved ones life, I will use that time wisely.

Oh trust me, maybe not in America, but in Europe (even more so in England), it's press worthy when someone gets stabbed. I've recently had my swiss knife taken away from me. Too dangerous they say

Kilsek, I hear your point - although that is alot of guns O_o
But I make a difference between someone with your background - someone who is educated about guns and what have you - and the average day Joe.
People who've done the military, or still do, and other armed forces like the cops know guns and the risks-dangers. That kind of teaching makes it that you're much more likely to be responsible with your guns.

Don't get me wrong though, I've also got no problem with the idea of having the bad-guys die or kill each other. My main problem is when little Timmy blows his head up with granddaddy's gun or when Joey gets mad with society and kills before suiciding.

to touch on a couple points brought up since my last post.

If a little kid gets ahold of a gun from daddy's locker or other persons, and unfortunately hurts/kills himself-the person belonging to the guns should face severe charges and have all permits revoked.

All my guns are locked in a metal locker with a combination locked (looks like a money safe)

The only gun I kept readily available is my glock. Just because I have a permit to carry it.

Please excuse if I'm getting annoying, but ho do you define readily available?

Don't blame you

Ok... see I'd kind of freak out if I saw someone just walking around with a Glock