What is it with America and guns?

I've never been to the US (or even out of my country, so take this for what it is worth), and guns just seem so dangerous and out of place, especially in the modern world.<br><br>I mean...why do people even have guns? In my country, japan, there are gun laws, and most people don't think about owning a weapon.<br><br>Hell, in my country, if youre in the military and your agency thinks you're favorable and you complete enough training, then you are permited one gun, no magazines greater than 50 rounds. Guns in general are tightly monitored, and you are required to take training once a year to help you keep your permit.<br><br>And, taking it to an international scale, I see other countries, like the UK, and guns just seem like they aren't a big deal there either.<br><br>I can't see why the US thinks guns are such a big deal, and why so many of its citizens argue so much about guns.<br><br>For me, the only logical thing that comes to mind is stuff like territory wars, and drugs (like the border wars between Mexico and the USA), but that is at least contained to a certain area.<br><br>I really can't grasp why it's such a huge issue in the US.<br><br>This post has been cross posted from r/AskTeenGirls.