The Clinton proposal, therefore, would put all peaceful people at risk of having their means of self-defense taken away. Other regulations similarly put innocent people in harm's way. Virginia's new law limiting gun purchases to one per month interferes with the self-defense rights of someone who wishes to buy guns for home and workplace. Laws against carrying a handgun leave people vulnerable when they are on the street. It is no accident that most crime occurs outside of people's homes.
Criminals know that one in two homes has a gun, but very few people are permitted to carry a gun.
Thus, they know it is safer to attack someone who is away from his home. But there are already too many guns in society, the proponents of control say. More guns would make society more violent. The issue is not a matter of numbers. What counts is not how many guns, but who has them.