Ouch. Stats about gun-related homicides in the US are staggering. US gun related homicides are 20 times higher than the combined rate of the next 22 GDP ranked countries. Researchers determined the rate of gun related homicides in the US was 4.1 per 100000 people vs. 0.2 per 100000 people in the next 22 countries.
http://www.politifact.com/virginia/s...te-20-times-h/
With almost a gun for every person in the US, its really hard to prevent a single wacko from just finding a weapon and hosing a bunch of people. Say what you will about gun control laws, they seem to be effective if enough of them are taken off the streets. US gun related homicides in 2008 12000+, Japan 11. Though that does punish people with legitimate uses for guns.
http://www.theatlantic.com/internati...deaths/260189/