It can be credibly argued that there are at least 140 million firearms in private hands in the U.S. today. This number has been expanding rapidly in recent years. Reasons for gun ownership include recreation and self-protection. Interdictionists advocate for elements: (1) continuing and tightening all existing laws, (2) permissive licensing for long guns, (3) restrictive licensing for all handguns, and (4) prohibition of cheap handguns, the so-called "Saturday Night Specials." However, there are some weaknesses in the principles behind the policy: (1) not all crimes are committed with guns; (2) the possible effectiveness can be seen as minor; (3) it is not cost-effective; and (4) it is a countermeasure against crime. Underlying the gun control struggle is a fundamental division in the U.S. The intensity of passion on this issue suggests that a low-grade war is going on between two alternative view of what America is and ought to be. On one side are people who believe that hunting is atavistic, personal violence is shameful, and uncontrolled gun ownership is a blot upon civilization. On the other side is a group of people who are "conservative" in the sense that they cling to America's unique pre-modern tradition of a nonfeudal society. 4 notes