[quote=Arraya][quote=Djshakes]I’m not sure what “western Democracy” has to do with it but Brazil and Russia are prime examples of stricter laws and higher crime rates.[/quote]

huge wealth disparity[/quote]

Yes, absolutely.

Also, Japan and Germany have more homogeneous societies, and there is a tendency for people to stay in one place, geographically, which makes a very big difference. They are more tied to their surroundings and the people who live around them. Many of them have lived in the same area for many generations, which would make them less likely to attack than someone who is more nomadic and has no cultural, social, or familial ties to those around him.

edit: Just saw faterikcartman’s post about heterogeneous vs. homogeneous populations. Agree 100%. Add to this the wealth disparities (often magnified between races), and you have the perfect formula for a violent society, IMHO. Guns have nothing to do with it.