The article looked reasonably balanced (for someone likely coming from an anti-gun background) until I hit this gem: "They have taken to carrying handguns – or at least keeping them in their homes – as a way of defending their family from the threat they perceive from Al-Qaeda."

Now, I'm no soccer mom. I'm not even a woman, but I don't know anyone who carries or owns a gun out of fear of an Al-Qaeda attack. I carry a handgun (usually openly, at that) as a possible means of defense in the unlikely event that some thug(s) decide that I would make a convenient target for a mugging.
It would have been nice if the author had at least a *quote* from someone who carries who claimed that they were seeking to defend themselves from Al Qaeda, but I suppose that hyperbole is more convenient when no facts support a claim.

Keenan Wilkie, Louisville, KY

Nothing could be a bigger lie than to say that gun control is about banning guns completely, but gun enthusiasts in the U.S. repeat this lie nonstop on their websites and in their communications with legislators. The lying needs to stop.

Truth is, nearly every American gun control group would just like to block gun access to the mentally ill, criminals, and children. Current federal and state laws are full of loopholes that need closing before this can be accomplished.

Many groups would also like to see gun manufacturers held liable for faulty products that are unsafe for the user, just as other American manufacturers are held liable for their unsafe products.

This type of gun control has worked well in other many other countries. The law-abiding still own and use guns there, but the mentally ill, criminals, and children are less often armed than in the U.S. Not surprisingly, total murder and gun injury rates are far lower there than in the U.S., esp. domestic homicide rates.

Falcon, Salt Lake City, U.S.A./Utah

The article looked reasonably balanced (for someone likely coming from an anti-gun background) until I hit this gem: "They have taken to carrying handguns – or at least keeping them in their homes – as a way of defending their family from the threat they perceive from Al-Qaeda."

Now, I'm no soccer mom. I'm not even a woman, but I don't know anyone who carries or owns a gun out of fear of an Al-Qaeda attack. I carry a handgun (usually openly, at that) as a possible means of defense in the unlikely event that some thug(s) decide that I would make a convenient target for a mugging.

It would have been nice if the author had at least a *quote* from someone who carries who claimed that they were seeking to defend themselves from Al Qaeda, but I suppose that hyperbole is more convenient when no facts support a claim.

Keenan Wilkie, Louisville, KY

This notion of the Al-Qaeda-fearing armed housewife is too hilarious for words. While I grant the possibility that 9/11 sparked a healthy awareness of powerlessness, the idea of the Al Qaeda sniper taking potshots at suburbanites is ridiculous. I don't deny that it's a good idea to arm oneself against the predations of the intruder, and more importantly, the State. America is the freest place on Earth because here the State is the most fearful and respectful of the people.

Sam Zdat, Reno, U.S. / Nevada

I think it's worthwhile and important to remind people that the right to bear arms enshrined in the second amendment serves as the ultimate check against the power of the State, and is fundamental to America as a free society.

Ben Miner, Fairfax, VA

"Uzi, Donno and Judi: A tattoo artist and a midwife, Donno and Judi live in Pennsylvania. They have two assault rifles and their son is named after a submachinegun"

Pictured are 1 semi-automatic rifle, 1 shotgun, and zero assault rifles. An assault rifle is fully automatic, or capable of switching from full to semi-auto. "Assault rifle" is mostly a term the media uses to frighten non-gun owners.

Also, Uzi is named after a character in "The Royal Tennenbaums", not the SMG. Interestingly enough, though, shortly after deciding on the name, Uzi Gal- the inventor of the Uzi submachine gun- died here in Philadelphia. Strange coincidence, indeed.

Donno, Philadelphia, PA, USA

As an American i appreciate the unbiased view of gun ownership in my country, however I feel you should be informed that Nancy Pelosi is in fact a Democrat, not a Republican.

Andreas Miller, Culpeper, Virginia

I'm offended by the caption you placed under the photo of the cover of Cassidy's "Armed America". I know that family very well, in fact that is my daughter and grandson. He is not named after a submachine gun. His name is in the bible and means "my strength, my power" He is an exceptionally smart little boy and my daughter holds two bachelors and two master degrees. I grew up in the country around guns as my daughter did. We respect the law but this is a free country and we have a constitutional right to bear arms. I am married to a British citizen, who stated he didn't care for guns, but when Hurricane Charlie blew out several windows in our home and there was no electricity, who do you think took my gun out of the safe and slept with it under his pillow. As with this book when it comes to people, "don't judge a book by its cover"

Patricia Patton, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.A

London Times you are not correct in your assumptions about the origin of my sons name. Mr. Gould you are correct in that my son, Uzi, was not named after the gun. We discovered the name, Uzi, after watching The Royal Tennanbaums. The twins in the movie were named Uzi and Ari. I loved the name and did some research on it. The name means, my strength, my power, which my son is to both my husband and myself. As a side note, Uzi Gal passed away in Philadelphia the week we decided on this name for our son. I had no idea he lived in Philly and somehow it all seemed to fit for us. Uziel is an ancient and beautiful name and a dying one.

Judi Gilbert, Philadelphia, PA

Nancy Pelosi is a member of the Democratic party, not the Republicans as the author reports.

Although polling suggests that gun ownership is favored more by Republicans than Democrats, please don't make this a partisan issue. Most Americans are not registered with a political party. Many gun owners who believe that the US Constitution should be interpreted as it was written are also displeased with America's two party political system.

The root of American "gun culture" is that Americans would rather not be forced into dependance on government for our provision and protection. History has shown that individuals in unarmed welfare driven societies are more likely to suffer abuse for holding differing opinions. Against turning popular opinion, gun owning Americans are trying to hold on to the freedoms that were envisioned when we sought independence from European aristocracy.

Eric Hutchenreuther, Detroit, USA / Michigan

Uzi wasn't necessarily named after the submachine gun, and the assumption that he was is presumptuous and offensive. "Uzi" is short for "Uziel", a Jewish name of distinction and long historical pedigree. The gun you're thinking about was named after its creator, Uziel Gal, an Israeli soldier.

Harman Gould, Toronto, Canada

Kyle Cassidy is really wasting his time on this "project." Everyone knows that free men and women own guns. It's our right, our obligation, our duty. As Freud said, "A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Below is a quote from the Public Broadcasting System, USA.

"The Rugged Lands Of Pakistan" by Don Belt of the National Geographic:

"[The] people tend to be mountaineers, much like the people in the Appalachians in this country [USA] are. They're resilient. They're tough. They're self-reliant. They're independent as the dickens. They don't take kindly to outsiders coming in and telling them what to do."

"Many, many people carry guns in these areas. By law, they're allowed to. So every man, no matter how poor, is carrying a gun, and every man's a king, in certain ways. It's incredibly difficult to lead or to control these territories because of this tradition that they have displayed for thousands of years of resisting outsiders."

John Thayer, Winter Park, Florida, USA

Come to my home and I will show you almost 100 guns and thousands of rounds of ammo with the capability of making hundreds of thousands more. Virginia Tech shows that places that are willing to disarm you make you a victim waiting to happen. Studies have shown that guns SAVE lives in the states to the tune of 2.5 million times per year. Even a study done by the anti-gun Clinton administration admitted to a figure of 1.5 million. Look at the aftermath of Katrina. Look at the LA riots. Guns SAVE lives!

I carry my gun almost everywhere because I am a citizen and not a subject. I am an instructor that has taught over 1000 people to carry their gun. Guns SAVE Lives!

The Virginia Citizens Defense League tried for the last two years to get a law passed that would have allowed students 21 years old and up to carry on campus saying that our schools are prime targets for terrorists. When it did not go through a VT Administrator said thanks for letting us FEEL safe.. Yeah Right!

Bruce J, Stafford, Virginia

"I guess thats why my ancestors came here, where they could practice the religion of their choice and have the ability to defend their own life and liberty with minimal governmental intrusion!"

Go on. Next you'll be telling us that really worked out for you.

John Annis, London,

Why do you have such a bias against guns and someones right to own them? I guess thats why my ancestors came here, where they could practice the religion of their choice and have the ability to defend their own life and liberty with minimal governmental intrusion!

Christian Jensen, Irvine, USA/California

I've studied the topic of guns and gun control, and the petri-dish that the UK has become on the topic, and I can say that I am not at all surprised by the slant your paper has put on this topic and this book.

First, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is a DEMOCRAT, not a Republican. I thought the "professional" media had editors? Second, Judi and Donno Layton named their son "Uzi" after Judy watched the film "The Royal Tenenbaums" - a fairly popular film - in which a character was named Uzi, the Philadelphia Weekly reported. (You know, reporting? As opposed to assuming?)

“I didn’t pick the name,” says Layton. “My wife Judi did after watching The Royal Tenenbaums. We looked it up, and it means ‘my strength and power.’ Then a few days after we’d decided on the name, Uzi Gal, the inventor of the Uzi submachinegun, died—right here in Philly! Crazy coincidence, eh?”

I could go on, but what's the point? To you, guns are evil and inexplicable, and Americans are crazy.

Kevin Baker, Tucson, USA