Seems to me that gang shoots account for most of the gun violence in the US. And since drugs are the gangs number one source of revenue, legalizing drugs would take away their cash flow which in turn would lower the violence. If people are really serious about saving lives then we need to consider our current laws and how they effort our lives before we think about adding more.
You're correct and it's not just gun violence that would decline, many types of crimes would drop. Less people would be incarcerated. States and cities would save billions. It's really quite a simple solution, but the public has been so brainwashed into the believing in the "War on Drugs."
Why would you want to take that money away from the economy and politicians? (I agree somewhat, I think all natural substances should be legalized and we need to strongly rethink our justice's system approach to the drug culture.)
I was just watching a vice documentary about mormons in mexico vs the cartels... and Mitt Romney's family in Mexico says we should legalize drugs so northern mexico stops becoming such a violent shithole. And I absolutely agree. Drugs only makes the murders part of a lucrative business model.
Finally I agree with you on something. I think Portugal got it right when they legalized all drugs and offered rehab for free.