Originally Posted by Mutt

Non-Americans can't understand the fascination and obsession Americans have with guns - it's just passed on from generation to generation. American was settled at gunpoint at every turn - and as the cities of America were settled and grew the gun that killed all the Indians, ruled the Old West just became part of the American way of life. The right to bear arms is right there in the Constitution, more of the rugged individualism, every man controls his own destiny and if need be use your gun to protect your freedom even from the government.