I would have to say guns do not promote violence. Anywhere gun ownership is predominate, violence is down because the criminals know that they won't just waltz in and do what they want. They could, god forbid, get hurt or even killed! *gasp* Although most of them are dumb, even they aren't that stupid. As I noted in my post about my espresso stand. Word on the street about my being armed has keep the little bastards away when the 4 or 5 other stands all around me are hit constantly. What promotes violence is the knowledge they will get away with it, in my opinion. :)