Yawn, the voice of idealistic youth.
Eliminating all weapons from citizens and police will do nothing to stop violent crime.
1) There are more violent assaults in the US each year with KNIVES than guns. And as we can all see the most violent weapons of 2001 were the boxcutters used by terrorists to hijack 2 planes.
2) There are too many guns in hands of the general public to make any kind of ban workable. The end result would be a massive influx of guns on the black market, and we all know who would end up with them: Criminals. Most guns used by criminals are gained illegally anyway.
3) Banning all firearms has already been tried in another country: Japan. Gee, that sure got rid of the Yakuza and gang violence over there
There will always be people trying to take the easy, ineffective way of curbing violence by banning weapons. Guns are a scapegoat. They are tool that can be used for hate or for good. Guns do not think. Guns do not fire by themselves. The same person who shoots someone will use a wrench if need be. I own three guns: 2 rifles and half-snub .357 mag. I have never shot anyone nor thought about shooting anyone. Every confrontation I have ever had has been settled with my own 2 fists.
The only true way to curb violence is through education, instilling morals and pride, and socio-economic reform. I became a productive, law abiding member of society because of the way I was raised, not because I didn't have access to a gun. I had access to all kinds of guns as a kid. They were hanging on our basement walls for me to grab if I wanted to. I didn't want to. Why? Because I was taught better.
Banning guns only treats the symptom while ignoring the cure.
Oh, and blaming the US for violent crime? Yeah, its been done before and I still don't buy it. But I guess you'll follow every other country's mantra when it comes to their problems:
"When in doubt, blame the US. Our citizens will buy it and won't see what the REAL problem is"