[AnnieK]

I don't know how many fatalities there has to be before America admit the problem, my guess is many more.

When I worked in the States in 97 there was a fatal murder suicide of a lifeguard at the community pool by her steriod addled boyfriend with a legally owned gun in front of families and young children. It was awful, there was outcry, kids were traumatised and most people reacted by further arming themselves. One guy told me he had bought a higher powered gun as the one he had would just make a gunman more pissed off if he shot him with it. For most Americans they believe it is their right to bear arms and so they do....how anyone would begin to tackle the problem there is beyond me.