Here is the shocker to all this - In the US, many gunshops and supermarkets, like Wal-Mart, have seen a huge increase in the purchase of the laughably innocuous "sporting semi-automatic rifles" of a type similar to that used in the most recent spree- killing - to the extent that many outlets have actually sold out.
Why? Because the "gun enthusiasts" are worried that the Govt. will attempt to resurrect the ban that was allowed to lapse, and curtail the ability to purchase such weapons and high capacity magazines.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/newtown-massacre-us-races-to-stock-up-on-weapons-ahead-of-potential-new-federal-ban-8427976.html
And, ironically, a gunfight broke out over an argument about the Newtown shootings, with one guy running out to his car, getting his handgun and firing off shots at the others in the argument in a barbers shop....
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/missouri-man-drew-gun-after-sandy-hook-argument-8427981.html
There is much to admire about americans and their country, but this fetishisation of the gun is not one of their more admirable features....