You're right Andrew, up to a point.
The problem with guns, especially handguns, is they make 'spur of the moment' killing possible.
(by the time you've walked to the kitchen to get the carving knife and tried a couple of times to get it through someones ribs - it's not easy, unless you know how!- you have come to your senses. ;D

I don't personally believe that there is a need for handguns (or rifles for that matter) for the sole purpose of 'personal protection'. That is when these weapons get into the hands of people who are not properly trained to handle them safely.
To clarify, I am military and Civilain trained in handgun safety and handling. There is a point that you arrive at where EVERYTHING you do with a handgun becomes 'second nature', there is no thought process involved, it's automatic. Until you have had the amount of practice, training and experience for this type of 'autonomic' response, you ARE dangerous to yourself and everyone else.
I don't care if you're a Cop, in the Military (they have 'accidental discharges too, you know) or a private citizen, it takes a long time for that level of safety proficiency to become part of your psyche.
So effectively, as private citizens would rarely be in a position to gain this level of proficiency, they should not be allowed.
I have to be honest! I recently found myself placing my revolver back into the safe, without going through the complete 'automatic procedure'. Instead of clearing the weapon and 'dry firing' 7 times into the floor, I found myself, just placing it into the safe after removing the rounds but not 'dry firing' (something I was made to do, under pain of a physical beating, if I didn't).
I was a bit ill, and very tired, but I felt so bloody stupid, even after such a simple and, some may say, not necessary, procedure. But that makes no difference. Even I, after 25 years of weapons handling, made that simple mistake.
So what chance do people with minimal training have? ;)