I generally won't bother getting caught up in a discussion where either party is egocentrical enough to completely ignore any and all arguments coming from the other side, but for those who feel the need to personally insult my country and thus, to a degree, myself, I'll glady make an exception.
First of all, I couldn't care less about which side may be right in this argument. I don't live in the United States, and never will I be personally involved with any Americans, so if you want to keep your firearms within an arm' s reach, by all means, go ahead.
What I can't stomach, however, is the fact that you, MPS, feel the need to challenge our beliefs, to even go as far as not only question our sense of courage, but downright deny its existence. And why? Because we, being Dutch, do not feel the need to carry (small) firearms with us wherever we go?
If only you weren't so ignorant, you'd be laughing at yourself like there was no tomorrow. Carrying a gun is by no means an expression of courage, willpower, or spirit. It in itself is the clearest sign of raw, savage fear. You feel the need to carry arms because you feel the need to protect yourself at all costs. In America, people are afraid to go out into the streets without any means of physical protection, and your government thrives on keeping these emotions intact. You have a hard time trusting anyone but yourself, and as a result, tend to look at others with a suspicious eye. After hearing you speak about the great security a firearm provides, and the grave dangers an American family has to endure, I'm convinced America is, without any shred of doubt, the single most narcissistic, egocentrical, self-conceited country imaginable. You act out of fear and distrust, and yet dare to lash out towards others, accusing them of being cowards, for not feeling the need to take over your false means of security.
If I were you, I'd personally reconsider the way you try to win this discussion. I've heard numerous good arguments being taken up here, none of them coming from your direction. So you resort to calling us cowards. MasterPlanSoftware, you have already lost this discussion. I suggest salvaging what's left of your personal and national pride, and stick it somewhere people are likely to react to petty insults they way you want them to. In here, they won't win you an argument.
Oh, and please. Don't shoot me with that scary big ole' gun of yours.
(And yes, I registered here just for the sake of taking part in this ongoing non-discussion)