Control is all criminals are interested in. Controlling our ability to defend ourselves against them out of existence, controlling our righteously angry speech against their civil rights violations resulting in countless murders, rapes, and maimings of legally disarmed and defenseless innocents, like at the cinema in Aurora, CO where the viewers were subsequently massacred, utterly predictably, with impunity. Disgusting.
It seems to me like if you take a principled view from individual and constitutional rights, then WE want the ability to prevent an event like Aurora. That's the WE, with OUR GUNS.
It also seems to me like if you take a practical view, then you know the time lag before police arrive, and again you want the personal ability to make a difference in said situation.
On the contrary, if you were a principled person - say Zwanzig20 - seeking a happy world, and you sought to ban guns, then you are responsible for Aurora.
If you are a practical person seeking a happy world, and you sought to ban guns, then, again, you acknowledge somehow that the greater good must allow for the slaughter during the time of police response, you are responsible for events such as Aurora.
I am oversimplifying. But I do feel that blame and/or responsibility needs to be put squarely on the people who seek to take away OTHERS' right to self defense. And going at it from this point of view, we don't need statistics, we don't need much argument at all.
We just need anti-gun people to take an adult attitude, and admit that they have responsibility for these tragedies.
I'm willing to accept the opposite, that is: I accept that in having a moderately strong pro gun position, this means some accidents and tragedies will result, and yes, my position may be considered part of the cause of such things.