Because Americans believe 1) that if guns are made illegal, then criminals will have access to guns and law-abiding citizens will not, thus leaving them defenseless...2) the constitution gives americans the right to own guns and 3) the founding fathers are believed to have put the 2nd amendment (which allows for guns) to deter tyranny, because if the people are armed, the government will, to them, be more reluctant to become harsh on its people due to the fear of revolt. as the saying goes, "the people should not be afraid of their governments....the government should be afraid of its people."