As you noted, American culture, for better or for worse, has different norms around liberty that often contradict the written law, than HK and many European soc

As you noted, American culture, for better or for worse, has different norms around liberty that often contradict the written law, than HK and many European societies when it comes to individual acts of violence. Poverty and inequality add stress to the communities' social structure, which is usually what promotes norms of not committing violence against neighbors, or those you perceive to be "others". That sets the stage for the higher rates of assault, etc.