[cmrdporcupine]

These hypothetical places have "low" crime rates because they have low population density, not because people are armed.

Why do Canada and Europe have dramatically lower violent crime rates despite having a mostly unarmed population?

[t-3]

Canada is in no way "mostly unarmed". ~20% of households have a gun. Some countries in Europe also have high ownership rates as well (like Finland).

[cmrdporcupine]

Rifles. For hunting. Not handguns and AR15s.

Grew up rural Alberta with rifles around the house all the time, in plain view. For shooting game. Not a word was ever uttered about "defending ourselves" with guns... From who?

Hell, we left our door unlocked when we left the house unless it was overnight.

Good grief. Nothing is sadder than people valorizing social/cultural breakdown.

"Peace, order, and good government."

[t-3]

AR-15 is relatively popular for hunting in the US though?

I don't lock my house or my car habitually, never had a problem, never felt the need to keep a weapon either, but I know plenty of people that live in the city that have been robbed or assaulted and do feel the need to carry though. I can't really blame them for not relying on police.

[tiznow]

.350 Legend is a rising hunting round for deer with upper receivers that can be slapped onto a common AR-15 lower.

[icameron]

Sportsmen use long guns like 30’6 for big game hunting (elk, deer, antelope) out west. Shots over 100 yards require a large cartridge like that. AR-15 are used in the southern states for wild hogs and varmints, or coyotes. Not exactly trophy hunters. I’m just saying the popularity of the AR-15 is not driven by hunters.