I'm hoping I don't begin to 'slag off' America for the sake of it in this entry, their rather an easy target nowadays much like the devout religious people I mentioned in my previous entry.
Religion and America happen to be hot topics (especially when put together). Maybe i'll touch on this later on. Hence, you'll have to read on...
I'd like to discuss guns first. Specifically, the gun laws in America, which have been criticised even more in recent times as a reaction to horrific tragedies. (Why is it always reactive, not pro-active?).
America's tolerance and love of guns (among some) is dug into American tradition so deep, that to a UK citizen, it seems (through the eyes of the BBC) that guns aren't just cold, efficient killing machines after all. They're of cultural significance (in the US), which supplements the daily lives of 'the American'.
It is also apparent, to me at least, that if Obama banned the ownership of any gun; from pistols to assault rifles, lives would be saved. Is Obama brave enough to put this to the gun crazy Texans in Congress? Not to just bring it up, will he follow it through? (Not all Texans are "gun crazy", sorry).
It's unnerving that the most effective and practical killing machine ever made and that many wish humans had never invented, is legal to own in any country, especially a rich, first world, middle class dominated America! Obama isn't stupid, neither is most of America (I assume). I've seen many an American on TV asking for a ban on guns, and i'm sure the majority realise that only a society free of guns will be free of gun violence and the deaths they cause.
I've had a look on the odd pro-gun site, the national gun association (of America) being the best. They make a point that guns aren't the killing machines, humans are. I find this view terribly niave. If a person is hell-bent on murdering, the fact a gun is not available may not stop the murder, but unless the murderer is a contract killer a knife isn't capable of doing the mass of damage a gun is.
Of course, many murders are not pre-meditated and so making guns illegal and hence unavailable, will make murdering someone generally a harder process. Is that not a good thing? (It's a good thing).
As for guns for self defense, clearly in a one on one encounter having a gun may save your life. At this point I empathise with the pro-gun group. If my family and I lived in a neighbourhood where everyone else had a gun and violence is common, i'd have very little choice. That's a very raw feeling in America, the fact guns ensure the safety of loved ones. Honestly, i'd probably have a gun in that situation and so would you.
I said i'd link religion back to America and possibly guns as as well. Religion in America is concentrated in pockets. The deep south typically Christian. Is gun ownership concentrated in pockets? It may not seem obvious to link religion and guns, but many religious people in America own and use guns. There is nothing religious or spiritual about owning an assault rifle.
The whole debate and indeed my entry is designed to deal with the problem that guns aren't just used for self defense and that an America where guns are illegal is a safer America for everyone.
America will struggle with this issue for a long time to come. There will be no quick fix.
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