May be the Americans have to answer that. I think it has something to do with that when they fled Europe a long time ago, they were tired of rules, especially those from catholic countries (Poland, half of Germany and "the rest of the countries "down to" the Mediterranean Sea coast at the map, except Greece which is and was orthodox).

I don't say that "free guns for everybody" is a religious thing, but that all were fleeing from something. In the Northern protestant countries people were poor. Their masters (the farmers that owned land) could do whatever they wanted with them. They could be beaten if they did not work hard enough. Some fled because of wanting an adventure, though.

I think that freedom from authorities are very important for many Americans. They want the freedom to chose. While others have come to the conclusion that: "Past is past. We live in a modern society now and don't need those weapons".

Just a few thoughts, but may be an the Americans have to answer your question more fully. I think it has to do with different traditions. Where I live in Europe people have to have a license to own a gun. Those who misuse the license or don't have the weapon in a locked closet when not in use can lose their license.

Just as the weapon lobby in the USA feel they are right, we feel that we are right as well. Of course one needs a license to own a weapon! We are talking about two different thought-groups, two different reference groups ... What is normal for the one group, is not seen as normal for the other group.