For the most part you are detailing how it should be, you are obviously a law abiding citizen, but some of your facts are incorrect. I have had a couple of opportunities to buy guns abroad, and once not even buy, we picked them off a stockpile, if we ever meet I'll tell you. There are many illegal firearms still being held which were brought back as war souvenirs, e.g. about 30 years ago a neighbour had a working lee enfield propped up in his hall, every amnesty more appear.
You are absolutely incorrect about only criminals owning hand guns, I personally have met two people who still legally carry them, for a very good reason which I won't divulge, both ordinary citizens.
I know for a fact that 24 hours a day every day of the year, at least two armed patrol cars are on duty patrolling the north east. This is for a very good reason, I am incredulous at your statement about not knowing of any gun crime in the NE, there is, why do you think they're there?