| America's Gun Culture |
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| Written by Tim Longhurst | |
| Tuesday, 08 May 2007 | |
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The issue of gun control is once again on the political agenda, following the tragic shooting spree at a Virginia university. Every new mass murder triggers the tiresome debate. U.S. politicians are typically quick to defend Americans' right to bear arms, as enshrined in the country's constitution. In the U.S., owning a gun is almost like owning any other appliance. There are nearly 200 million guns in private hands. The gun culture is entrenched in American society, and change does not appear forthcoming. Advocating gun control is perceived to be a huge political risk, so politicians frequently eschew the issue altogether. A ban on assault weapons, enacted during the Clinton administration, was allowed to expire in 2004 without even a whimper from politicians, Republican or Democrat. Australia, in the absence of a culture sentimentally attached to guns, willingly disarmed following the Port Arthur massacre. With tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. attributed to firearms each year, a breaking point there seems non-existent. Is it apathy? Indifference? A belief in and respect for the principles of natural selection? Attraction to risky behaviour is part of the human condition, particularly for young men. American society seemingly approves of measures to increase that risk. However, in fact, nearly half of the American public are in favour of stricter gun control. There are Presidents that have been elected with less support. And, with the disproportionate political power wielded by the National Rifle Association (headquartered in Virginia), the risks presented by the right to bear arms may not actually be borne by an informed democratic choice. So why hasn’t there been an overhaul of U.S. gun laws? While support for such a move exists, it may be telling that most Americans do not believe they will ever be the victim of a gun crime. That’s despite one in five people saying they know someone who has been a victim. According to a poll taken after the Virginia Tech shootings, about 5 percent of respondents say the tragedy has prompted them to consider buying a firearm. Gun advocates say a concealed handgun carried by a faculty member or a student could have reduced the toll of the shooting spree. Welcome back to the Wild Wild West. |
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