I'm not talking about hunting weapons. I'm talking about guns designed to kill humans. What are the benefits of having these kinds of guns in society, and are the benefits worth the cost in human life?

Please be civil.

Benefits:
1. Mutually assured destruction if all citizens carry a gun. (some might not call this a benefit)
2. Economy/Jobs
3. An understanding of how a dangerous tool works.
4. National Defense (if you don't have a country with a military - note: this was the original intention of the 2nd amendment)
5. Citizen Policing

Personal Benefits:
1. The power to kill, wound and threaten others with violence