Canada did have a significant gun culture until the new registration fiasco, which is apparently costing way more than expected, hasn't really solved any crimes or made anyone any safer, and of course is only inconveniencing those that see moral and social relevance in obeying laws.

The biggest reason for the large amount of gun crimes in this country is the drug trade, and an extremely small proportion of our population is responsible for a huge majority of gun crimes and deaths. Unfortunately, PC rules prohibit me from actually mentioning the relevant segments involved, or I would be permanently ostracized from society and banished to France.

Concealed carry can and has been effective in stopping rampaging maniacs and limiting casualties, unfortunately these stories are often buried or not reported. I hate to bring up Israel because that can lead us in another totally different direction, but suicide (or homicide, or crazy frigging idiot) bombers have been stopped before detonating their explosives by undercover police or armed citizens (common in Israel).

Unfortunately concealed carry is not going to provide much deterence to a fuel-laden 747, but armed and trained pilots could have prevented the 9/11 disaster.

In regard to the deterrence value of carpet bombing, I do not think carpet bombing is the appropriate strategy, but I do believe that the world and especially the Taliban, al Qaeda, etc. were pretty damn surprised by our swift and decisive response. This may have emboldened some to join their cause, but I believe it caused a few to wake up and "smell the coffee".

Or, could that be the smell of s**t in their pants?