I wish cryptography was as important to Americans as guns.

The founders would have added the right to encryption to the Bill of Rights if they did this in the 21st century.

Wish Americans were important to Americans as guns are

If the average American (or world citizen in general) understood cryptography as well as they understood guns, it probably would be. 

Fact of the matter though is that "thing go bang" is easier to understand than AES-256.

What if literally anything was as important to americans as guns?

what does cryptography do? 
ask snowden. ask PeopleDao. 
webThree is full of naïveté

It is interesting that, if you view guns as a defensive tool to protect yourself and your property, encryption and guns have the same purpose.

Just wait until y'all in town here in Texas next month. Have faith.