I was referring to young American males having greater access to firearms than their peers in other countries, but if you want to limit the discussion to only the U.S we can.
It is simply categorically false to say that access to firearms has remained unchanged for over a century in this country. Here's the exact wording of the 2nd amendment:
A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Most people focus only on the 2nd part of the sentence, but to understand it's intent, u have to look at it in its entirety. The 2nd amendment was created in response to Article I, that gave congress the authority to create a national army & navy. Opponents feared this would destroy the ability of individual states to protect themselves, so an amendment was created which allowed states to still have their own militias. The understanding that the 2nd amendment referred to a citizen's right to own firearms only within the context of forming a militia, was supported by the Supreme Court for the majority of this country's existence until 2008.
This changed in 08' with the
DC v. Heller Supreme Court decision which ruled that the 2nd amendment should be interpreted as if it contained only the 2nd half of the sentence. This decision locked in a reinterpretation of the 2nd amendment which gave all citizens the right to hold & use firearms for self-defense.
Besides access, firearm availability has also evolved during this country's history:
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The data tells us that there is almost a direct relationship between firearm prevalence & homicide/suicide rates. It is so clear, that it is irrefutable at this pt. Overall, the U.S has a firearm homicide rate that is 25x, & a firearm suicide rate that 8x higher than other peer countries.
