[JonyRR]

'crime rate is lower than the US's'

sez who? the gummint? there are lies, damn lies and statistics. Figures by ANY gummint (mine included, especially mine nowadays) are veerrryyy suspect.
My BC friends tend to be very distraught by thier soaring crime rate, and they can't blame ALL of it on 'trickleover' from us evil 'merikans.
I tend to also agree that the average american is pound-forpound, stupider than 50 years ago...now that the living is easier, there's less effort to just survive.

But again, the overarching reason for private firearms ownership is NOT JUST personal protection, but a check, by society as a whole, against unfettered abuse by out-of-control government.
Before firearms, it was edged weapons. peasants weren't allowed to be armed generally so not to challange the power and position of the nobility.
And even in canada, you are still technically a subject of the crown and not a citizen.
You can debate this endlessly, but I know where I stand and always have stood on this subject.
Besides, firearms are intricate mechanical objects just like motorcycles and many gearheads I know like firearms for their mechanical aspects.
In the 25th century, it'll be 'when blasters are outlawed, only outlaws will have blasters'
eastern martial arts were originally concieved because the peasants were forbidden to own weapons...man will ALWAYS figure out ways to defend himself....and those who don't will go bleating quietly into that bad night like the sheep they are...