Distorted perspective
They have knives but also fierce St Bernard dogs
Remember about an article in a newspaper...After a massive killing at a US university, they intervewied a student who quoted that this kind of thing could not happen if everybody could carry a gun at university...Found this really weird!
In France, weapon can not really protect you as you'll get into deep trouble if you use it even against a thief. A year ago, a grocery retailer was put into 5 years jail for shooting a guy who was threatening him and trying to get the cash. The judge quoted that there was a disproportion between the threat and the way he tried to defend him and his business
Many people here have the idea that owning or carrying a gun will protect you, and you will be justified in using it. The courts are constantly moving toward more and more responsible gun ownership and use laws. More deaths occur from untrained individuals using guns, and if the people who own guns are not more careful with storage, carrying and training then the problem will continue to grow. Most guns that are involved in shooting deaths are stolen guns, taken from individuals who should not have them in the first place. I have several guns, each member of my household knows how to fire, and clean all of the guns we have here. All of the weapons, firearms, hunting bows, etc are locked up, unless someone is using it. When done, it is immediatly cleaned and returned to the locked storage area (gun safe, in a locked room). The kids learned to shoot at 10 yrs old, and still do not have access to the keys. I have friends who keep a loaded gun, under the seat of their truck, than park the truck and leave it for long periods of time, unattended. They have a permit to carry concealed, and do carry often, without any real need.
I have been able to demonstrate to them just how easy it is to take their gun from them, yet they continue to carry. If you are armed, and someone who is unarmed attacks you, it is likely, unless you are trained, that they will get your gun. You have now armed the person who is attacking you.
We can have strong gun control, and still have the ability to own and carry guns.
Stepping down from soapbox.