BTW, before we get into the subject matter, I'd like for you to send me a 'B-Mail' on how to change text color...
>I'm assuming you took a quick peek at the data I appended, but only cited Switzerland and Israel...two countries with mandatory military conscription (the Swiss allow other types of service). The Swiss have a very long history of pacifism, so I'm not surprised that there's a high percentage of gun owners and low number of gun deaths. As for Israel, we all know that they are in survival mode all the time and must band together...again, a cultural reality that does not create an environment for gun homicides amongst the populace.
You may not have gotten to the bottom of the report, but there's a chart of gun-related death rates for 23 high-income countries...you should take a moment to check it out...spoiler alert...the USA leaves everyone else in the dust (btw, don't forget to include gun-related Suicides, as well). None of those countries would be considered "non-free" and only the U.K. is an island (albeit a fairly large one).
>As for 'Fending off a government (USA?) pogrom of its people', me thinks folks who take that seriously need to seek some assistance for a possible case of paranoia. More likely, it is a severe lack of trust in our democratic system and well over 200 years of weathering all manner of disagreement (the Civil War, notwithstanding...which was fought to actually "Free" people). A disposition for 'Fear' rather than 'Hope' seems to me to be the root cause here. Also, from a practical point of view, if a government wanted to carry out such a program and had the 'muscle' that the U.S. has,...AR-15s might add a few minutes to the 'resistance'.
>Have I ever fired an AR-15?...No, but I fail to see the relevance...my use of the term "AR-15" should be viewed as an "icon" or "avatar" for weapons that are not intended for a) home defense, b) hunting, or c) target shooting. All three of those uses are served by guns that do not require high volume magazines or rapid fire...and all three uses should satisfy any legitimate need for a lethal weapon.
>Your assertion of the "inevitable failure" to ban assault rifles contains some 'over the top' predictions IMHO...We've already seen a temporary ban on assault rifles (1994) without anything approaching what you predict...making it permanent could just as easily go the same way...it certainly worked in a free country like Australia where it achieved dramatic improvements in gun-death statistics. I can't say what a final Bill would look like, but I'd suggest a few 'perks' to soften the blow for those who just can't fathom a day without their assault rifle...set up 'theme parks' that allow (for a fee...hey, this is America) folks who are trained and certified, to shoot automatic as well as semi-automatic weapons...maybe even up to 20mm. There are sanctioned events like this in Arizona already...just commercialize the concept and it's a "Win-Win" for everyone...the Gun-Rights folks get to blast the hell out of a mountain side, while the rest of us can sleep better at night...sound like a plan?
>"...a government that fears oppressing its people too much"...see above.
>"...4 boxes of freedom..."...this concept of a 'government pogrom' is really a thing for you (box 4)...I'd suggest you work harder on strengthening your resolve and commitment to the first three boxes which this country has demonstrated to the rest of the world. Pardon me for "shifting" a bit, but our former President did his level best to tear down the second box (the "Big Lie" and Insurrection), while also mounting challenges to #1 ("The (free) Press is the enemy of the people") and #3 (using the DOJ as his personal legal firm...Bill Barr not allowing Inspectors General to follow through on investigations).
>"...that undermines your argument"...you may have a point, but I don't see it...please elaborate...again the use of the term "AR-15" is 'emblematic'.
So, that's my response to your rebuttal...I thank and applaud you for the responses...here's hoping we can come closer. All citizens should be able to protect their homes and families with lethal force, especially in this day and age...I'm not at all advocating for the removal of ALL guns. Let's care more about the real tragedies being displayed all too frequently right in front of us, as opposed to fears that are more imaginary than real.