Yes, intrinsically bad. It's pretty clear to anyone who doesn't live in a gun "bubble". Number one cause of death by gun? Suicide. Watch that YouTube clip[2] in full; it summarises my opinion quite well. The second amendment makes sense in the era of muskets, but in the present day only serves to make everyday life less safe, and police officers more Ferguson-ey.
[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_guns_per_capita_by_co...
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-re...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentiona...
Plus that in Europe, the powers-that-be have largely wanted to avoid revolutions, which means that the public's access to firearms as well as right to self-defence is restricted and police, gendarmerie and similar organisations have true monopoly on (lawful) violence. America, in turn, is a child of revolution and is revering the overthrowing of powers-that-be who were perceived as tyrants.
That's just my understanding of the history how the United States has come to this situation, not a value statement that it's how things should be.
(Just for comparison, compare to other countries colonized at the same time or earlier, like Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Honduras, Colombia, Nicaragua - they all have much higher homicide rates than the U.S.)
Not sure I understand. Switzerland has 1/2 the guns, but nowhere near 50% of the US' homicide rate. Are you saying the ability to legally carry a gun is the reason for the difference?
The states that legally allow carrying a concealed weapon without a permit (VT, AK) have some of the lowest murder rates of all states.
As for concealed carry permit states, VT and AK have murder rates remarkably consistent with geographical neighbors. You are dead wrong to claim they are somehow special.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP3HJVp3n9c