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Well, it looks like homicide deaths went from 107 (1996 prelaw) to 47 (2001 postlaw) - thanks Ubiquity0.
These countries could have a major increase in gun related homicide death and still not reach our level even accounting the difference in population. I don't expect gun control to change crime rates (that's economic and ethical, mostly). Just to reduce gun related violence and homicide.
Agree with you Chris, we can't attribute the 50% reduction in AUS exclusively to gun control. The hyped awareness the gun control issue brings to the subject of gun violence and general violence along with a determination to change is the real cause. Gun control is just one, maybe 10-20% of the equation, of what is really a cultural issue.
Our culture has a history of using guns to settle disputes. Look at the mythology of the wild west. It permeates our culture out of all proportion to its actual time of, what, maybe 20-30 years? Maybe the crime increase in GB is just another example of "culture transfer"?
Chris B's comment about the Swiss is exactly on point because they really match the intention of the 2nd amendment - a citizen based militia. Switzerland has two advantages: a cultural heritage of resolving conflict without violence (much less gun violence) and the entire male population takes part in military training and proper use of weapons. Training is a form of regulation because it changes peoples mindset about the proper use of weapons. Swizerland has a long hunting tradition that also helps.
So, why support gun control if the problem is cultural? It's just one tool in the box but it is one that should be used.
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Scott
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