It is true that handguns are used in a very high percentage of suicides and crimes of passion. I think the argument is whether society benefits more or less because of the private ownership of handguns. The evidence is that the benefits exceed the costs.
This is true, of course. Sadly the truth is something too complicated for many people to defend, so they stick to little talking points they heard somewhere else.
Like many of our freedoms, the right to own handguns (or any guns) is one that carries costs. I have no doubt we would have less murders if we lived in a mythical world that had no guns. We would have less suicides, or at least less fatal ones. I even think there is a chance Bob is right in this case.
But, as you pointed out, that's not the point. The point is that our collective freedom to own guns also comes at a collective cost. If you are not willing to pay that cost, please feel free to move to a country that better represents the freedoms you are willing and not willing to have.
