If its ideology that supports gun ownership, the same ideology supports tough crime laws and a well-armed police force. Fear explains why we want weapons, but

If its ideology that supports gun ownership, the same ideology supports tough crime laws and a well-armed police force. Fear explains why we want weapons, but fear also explains why we want a heavily armed police force. Those who are most afraid are not at all concerned about the police occasionally shooting unarmed minorities. Politically, you're still looking at 50/50 here at best it seems to me. But gun control at least makes it plausible that decreased weapons use in crime means police don't need to focus so much on assault.