your answer helps me see just how nuanced this question is. as an american, i honestly don't believe the civilians of this country will ever go down without a fight if you try to take their guns away. as you say, the history is far too steeped in the revolution and sheer right to bear arms. that said, it's been interesting being married to ini and hearing his and his family's take (canada's) on gun ownership/deaths/etc as it's really hard to get a gun there and no one really has them-- even getting a hunting rifle is hard ... i think when you look at the school shootings and other gun related murders, it really comes down to the core problems of toxic masculinity mental health related stuff. i live in maybe one of the most gun-rich counties in america (no joke) -- a lot of people carry (even some friends) as they are ranchers/cowboys/hunters and just want to have self protection for whatever reason and there aren't any gun-related deaths. that's the nuance of this issue. but obviously the lax gun laws that allow people with domestic violence histories or unstable mental health and history of aggressions get guns FAR too easily.. we need to regulate THAT. but i can tell you in my county alone, these people WILL NEVER give up their guns... and most of them are pretty peaceable... just don't go on their land if they don't know you and do any funny business ;)