Members of a family check out the Beretta gun display at the 132nd Annual National Rifle Association Meeting in Orlando, Florida, April 27, 2003. The National Rifle Association had plenty to celebrate at its annual convention on Sunday: a gun-friendly president and Congress it helped elect, a robust membership of four million and a real shot at eliminating its most hated law - the ban on assault weapons. PP03040078 REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton SS/HB NRA - RTRMIKI

Members of a family check out the Beretta gun display at the 132nd Annual National Rifle Association Meeting in Orlando, Florida, April 27, 2003. Credit:Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

“Sorry if I am just not understanding, but is it legal to kill people in the U.S.?”

An Argentine university student in his mid-20s leans forward earnestly as he asks the question. My co-presenter Nick and I immediately exchange a look—how to tackle this one?

Sensing the pregnancy of our pause, the student clarifies, “I mean, I hear very much about guns in the U.S. And many people seem to die, and I hear there are protests […]

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