The biggest problem with firearms is their misuse, but as I've said before, almost anything can be misused to harm someone. I personally have shot a rifle a few times, at a range. I thought it was loud and smelly (and I was a TERRIBLE shot!) But, I think, at least in the USA, it would be very difficult to achieve the low level of guns on the street that seems to exist in the UK and other places. Seems that the rules on the books put both cops and law abiding citizens at a disadvantage. Just my 2 cents!