-----Original Message-----
>From: Marv Gandall <marvgand at gmail.com>
>The US has a history of widespread gun ownership not found, to my knowledge, in other capitalist states. Isn't this the crucial variable which does, in fact, explain its >extraordinarily high historical murder rate?
All the way back to the 18th century? I don't think so.
>Otherwise, what does?
Beats me. Historical research into the question only really got going in the last few decades. The jury is still out.