As far as the gun issue itself, the utilitarian argument is interesting. There seems to be some evidence for each side. Seems to me that in some cases stricter handgun laws lead to more violence and in some cases less.
For many American citizens though the question is not a utilitarian one. Even if you could prove conclusively that for all societies at all times and under all conditions stricter handgun laws leads to less violence, I don't think that would be good enough reason for the people that want to maintain their right to bear arms.
For some people a gun is the ultimate symbol of freedom. "Even though it is dangerous I have the freedom to own this gun." Many other people believe in the primacy of the Constitution. They believe that the integrity of the Constitution should be maintained. There's even a party (The Constitution Party). Some see it as a political issue and want to defend it along political lines ("I am a Republican and this is what the Republican party believes"). Others just want to shoot animals or beer cans or trespassers.
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