How about this for an amendment in the American Constitution, or is that too un-American based on yet another school shooting, something which is becoming as synonymous with America as its Dream.
A gun. It has one function. To fire rounds of ammo at high speed projection to harm or kill a living target. If it’s not living, a gun surely isn’t required? Ok, some will say they own and ‘need’ a rifle for hunting, something else I don’t agree with; I’d like to see what mankind would have to say if Lions, Birds or Bears went about shooting us for sport. They do attack us but usually when we go looking for it by invading their territory…usually when hunting.
My point is, why do so many Americans, own guns or need to. 2-million guns are sold “legally” each month in the USA. This means there are more guns than there are people and cars and these are only the guns we know about and not the illegal unregistered ones. Perhaps it’s that last part, which is why so many Americans feel the need to own a gun, because should someone with an unregistered gun break and enter their home, then they can fight gunfire with gunfire and I get that. If an intruder entered my home with a gun, I wouldn’t want to be battling them with my fists or whatever I can put my hand to in my house, which at that point is likely my early morning breath.
Surely though, after the recent shootings in Texas (school), Tulsa (Hospital) and Buffalo (mini-market where a white supremacist shot and killed 10 black people), there has to be a significant step-up on gun-control? How many more children and people have to be murdered in cold blood to protect the 2nd amendment? When did the 2nd amendment take precedence over the life of a child who just went to school that day? How many more parents and families lives will be destroyed before someone addresses this issue?
As I’ve recently read and listened to reputable articles and podcasts, it seems the National Rifle Association will likely double-down on the rights to own guns, since that’s what happened post the Columbine shooting in 1999. In instances after mass shootings or just shootings, people feel the need to protect their “freedom”, as apparently that is the feeling carrying a firearm provides you with.
Previous ad campaigns from arms manufacturers promote the use of many high powered weapons (such as the AR-15 used by the Texas shooter) to appeal to their male ego and pride of earning ‘man points’ upon purchasing such weapons. Promoting their high accuracy and using terms like “urban sniper rifle”, promotes the use of guns for sniper purposes…isn’t this something only Armies use weapons for and not Joe Public from Texas? I mean, if they’re not promoting shooting people, who is their target audience? I also understand you can obtain a weapon, such as an AR-15 for as little as $2000. Chris Rock once made a good point (pre his Jada Pinkett-Smith moment) that all bullets should cost $1m. “Yeah! I’d blow you’re F***** head off…if I could afford it!” He makes a good point. It is alarming how cheap and accessible a murder weapon is and how the laws allow it.
I’m not American and can’t start to understand (or wish to) the complex nature of many Americans obsession and relationship with the right to bear arms and own guns. I find it absolutely incomprehensible how anyone, let alone a troubled 18-year old man can just go and purchase a murder weapon (that is what a gun is) “legally” and for so very cheap. In certain parts of the USA (Texas I think is one), there is a legal limit on the number of sex toys you can own. I think the legal cap is 6, anymore and the State renders you an illegal pervert, or something of that nature. Guns however is open house. You can have as many as you like. I’m glad they have ‘Dildo control’ in affect, if not gun control.
Perhaps it is the “legality” issue, which is the problem. The fact that the law is flawed. A line from Eminem’s very apt song ‘In the Darkness’, about this very subject goes, “But I’m a licensed Owner, with no prior convictions”. This song is actually based on the Las Vegas shooting in 2017, where a man opened fire from his Hotel room at a crowd of people attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival. How was this made possible? I’ll tell you. He just purchased weapons, drove to Vegas, waited a few hours and once the crowd had formed, he just poked his legally owned high-calibre rifle through the window and fired at the crowd. I mean, it wasn’t even a hand gun, a .22 or .45. Again, how can someone just go and buy a high powered sniper rifle, surely reserved for law enforcement when maybe protecting the President from other maniacs like Lee Harvey Oswald?
I mean, what gives anyone the legal constitutional right to take their legally owned firearm and shoot at others? Also, regardless of what your issues are, the murder of innocent people and children is never the answer and I’ve no idea why it would be. Is it because this is the outcome, which would get you the most attention? Also, I acknowledge that this could have been committed by a maniac with an illegally acquired weapon but surely the fact it was a legally purchased and owned firearm makes this much worse. Had the laws been tighter and more appropriate for what warrants the ownership of a gun, then 19 innocent teachers and children would be at school today. How does the Government square this with their conscience?
I get the reality of guns and why they’re required. Unfortunately, they do exist and if we don’t have them, then other evils in this world will. Akin to having nuclear weapons because other Countries are always working on developing their stock, so if one day we wake up and someone’s making a nuclear threat, we can make one back. But this is for responsible users only (in theory anyways). I understand Armies and law enforcement needs for firearms and as per my earlier example, the need to protect your home from whoever decides to try and enter. That said, these gun owners need to be thoroughly checked. Who are they? Where have they been? What’s their medical history? How old are they? Is someone who isn’t even old enough to drink liquor really old enough to own a gun? What sort of gun are they acquiring and for what purposes? Surely if someone breaks into your home a hand gun would suffice? Are you really going to hide on your Roof waiting with your sniper rifle and scope?
I heard a quote recently, “Life isn’t fair and the law reflects this”, which unfortunately is the truth in this case. It’s just a case of how many more children must die before America will give up their view of ‘freedom’, if this is what ‘freedom’ is.
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