Guns were used to commit 13,522 homicides in in 1997. Guns were also used in 17,566 suicides that same year. Each day, four Americans die in gun accidents. There are known to be 65m gun owners - but that is clearly an underestimate. The carnage is having some impact on public opinion.
Polls show growing majorities favouring new gun controls.
Victims' lawsuits against gunmakers are on the rise. But congress, nobbled by lobbyists as usual, has again failed to act. George W Bush, the Republican White House frontrunner, is worse than useless on this issue. Mr Bush is the Texas governor who signed a 1995 law allowing the toting of concealed guns, even in church. Vice-president Al Gore talks vaguely of licensing and safety locks.