Why should this surprise you Tom?
You must remember that modern day Europeans (the ones still in Europe that is) are the descendants of serfs. The "sheep" mentality has been handed down through the generations. Since it takes a great deal of courage to leave all that you know behind and start over half way around the world, most of the submissives stayed behind. For the most part, only the strong independent types came to the New World. Back in the middle ages it was forbidden for commoners to have swords or other weapons, this attitude about guns is simply a throw back to the past.