I can understand being a victim. I know some victims and I've been a victim. Increasing the number of guns does not seem to be the way to combat the threat of violence.

Sure, just about anything can be a deadly weapon if it is used with that intent. I could also use a grenade as a paperweight. Is it made for that purpose? Most people would say no, but it works just as well. Guns make killing easy. How easy? So easy a child could do it.

On machine guns, I'm pretty sure that there is a ban on sales of automatic weapons to civilians for a long time. A little research later... 1986, Reagan enacted a federal ban on automatic weapon sales to civilians. An entire class of weapon was rendered inaccessible to the common citizen, and only weapons manufactured before that date and are considered transferable can be sold and require the approval of the federal government. So machine guns are illegal to buy except for models before 1986.

Anyway, I applaud you for actually being proactive about gun safety. You are the exception. Most people don't get oil changes for their cars, or even know how to use most of the features therein. i wonder how many people had parents that wouldn't set the VCR clock so it just flashed 12:00 until it became obsolete. My point is that while you have instilled the tragic responsibility that accompanies gun ownership to your family, the majority of people have not. These are the people who are on TV, teary eyed because they shot a family member who went downstairs at night to get a drink.

I mentioned that I was a victim of violence earlier, what I did to make myself feel safe again is that I took self-defense classes and forced myself to be more aware of my surroundings. If I don't feel safe, i go another way. Will it save me 100% of the time? No, but it has worked so far. Would I feel safer with a gun? No. Most of the time you can't walk with a gun anyway, and if you're surprised you can't get to it, and have probably armed your assailant. In situations where a gun would be useful, you can't carry it and a gun in your closet is of little use to you when you're at the bank.

I guess my point is that for all the people who are worried about the ability to purchase and carry weapons the places and opportunities for their legal use make it virtually pointless to own one. The flip side would be to allow people to carry a weapon anywhere that receives federal funds, so the states can still restrict gun proliferation somewhat. I'm not so sure that would go over well either.

I was asked my person view and here it is.
I feel that guns are inherently dangerous, even when used responsibly, and in the care of someone responsible. I point you to the video of the guy giving a gun safety lecture who accidentally shot himself in the leg. I'm sure you've seen it.
I feel that guns make it easy and impersonal to kill someone.
I feel guns are the only thing available to the general populace whose only function is to destroy life when used properly.
I feel that people would be safer if they increased the security around their house, instead of leaving the door open and buying a gun.
I also feel that the knowledge that the populace is unarmed is dangerous.
I feel that having the option to purchase a gun guarantees a free populace.
I feel a gun should never leave the house unless someone is hunting for food, not"sport", fighting an illegal occupation of our country or going for training/practice.

This is a non-exhaustive list. Guns are a complex issue and requires a complex answer. People who say that they are for or against guns have not expended the mental energy to have a proper discussion about it.