GrojBob, youmay feel safe with out guns because right now you don't feel the effect of not having them. But, a short sixty years ago, your country was conquered and disarmed. Now, that was an outside invader, but right next door the hositile take over came democratically from with in. When they came over the border, you were unable to defend your freedom. Since then, Europe has had the luxury to work on more social issues - even under threat of the Russian Bear, because it's security was provided for by mostly America and Britain. They could spend their money elsewhere. But sixty years doesn't buy true enlightenment, Milosovic popped up in your own back yard.
As for mass killings by alternative means in Europe, I couldn't tell you much about it. I don't get EU news feeds and don't pay much attention to the news anyway. Except to find out who the Enemy of the Moment is cause my ass may be shipped there.
I will say that the IRA gave Britain a nice harrying for a number of years though. Regretably, some wealthy misguided Americans did help fund them - at least that is what the rumor says. I don't know the money trails personally.
As for the availablity of guns in Europe, I bet you would be supprised to find out just how easy it is to acquire them. And rest assured, the really dangerous people DO know how to get them.
The only way that I can see gun control working is to destroy all guns, and destroy all knowlege of them. For as long as knowlege exists or product exists, some one somewhere will have one, and that someone may turn out to be either tyrranical or psycho.
I am in the business of defense and providing security. So, I have a healty respect for weaponry of all kinds, information and information distribution being the most dangerous weapons. But, I also recognize that if those that I am providing security to cannot supply some basic security for themselves, what is to protect them from ME should my methods of providing security become detrimental to their well being.
Like it or not, Freedom is traded in the coinage of Blood.