Why are there so many laws keeping honest people away from guns and attempts to avert ownership of guns in the U.S.? Could it possibly be that the U.S. government wants citizens that are wholly reliant on the government to protect them?

Gun control laws do not prevent people from obtaining and carrying guns. They do allow people who fear the retribution of governing authorities into victims of those who do not. As a rule, someone who wishes to go out and shoot someone doesn't want that person to potentially shoot them. They want unarmed victims. Thus, someone who is armed and ready will be more able to fight back against a potential murderer than someone who isn't.

We have a right to protect ourselves and those we love from harm. A right and a duty! The police cannot protect you, the law cannot protect you. All police do is enforce legislative edicts. If someone shoots you, they can arrest them. But you will still be dead.

Moreover, in many cases, it is not other people that we need to be protected from. It's the government.

And that is the real reason for gun control laws. They allow the government to rob and rape the citizens without fearing their ability to fight back.