I don't have any personal position about a pilot carrying a gun. And like you I am not interested in this debate. I just think that after 120 years of incredible aviation history we have nothing else to say that carrying a gun is cool about this profession, it is sad, it is the sign this job is changing.
Concerning begining your career in north america, this is a wise advice you are right. He still can come back later in europe when his career will take off, if this is what he wants.