Guns

I was asked to pen my opinion of guns and the controversy across the Atlantic of ownership by an American friend.

In a free society a law abiding citizens that are mentally sound should have the right of ownership with appropriate background checks.  Gun ownership is a right and it is as simple as that.  However, it should not be elevated as the flagship of freedom.  Freedom is not measured in the amount of fire power one can accumulate and it is a juvenile thought. Frankly, there are more important freedoms than having the ability to blow someone’s brains out that are suffering erosion.  An example is government’s now holding people indefinitely without evidence under antiterrorism legislation and legalised spying.  Why does this not provoke the violent reaction one sees when debating guns?

America’s obsession with guns stems from a tradition in resisting state influence and the civil war; the right has become imbibed with yokle fantasies of one day overthrowing the American government.  Ultimately this has led to a Wild West environment from paranoid thoughts of dystopian molestation where even the deranged can become dangerously armed.  There is now statistically a gun for every American citizen and the firearms industry is worth $31 billion and climbing.  The firearms industry is strongly represented in congress and continually lobbies the government.  This has led to the purchase of guns being less intrusive than pharmaceuticals and there are greater restrictions in driving a car. Guns have not acclimatised to the rest of society and lag horribly behind.  Roughly 40% of firearms sold in America require no background check.  It is quite shocking.

Despite this overt firearms culture that has been established it is laughable to think that deviantic renegades with small-arms could ever topple the American government, police or military in a standoff.  You’d need surface to air missiles, cruise missiles and tanks to achieve such an objective against such powerful opposition.  Bills rifle will be no match against a professionally trained soldier in full body armour with air support.  The argument is medieval it belongs in the past with muskets and cannonballs.  It was shown recently in Egypt that passive resistance and combined voices in peaceful solidarity still trumps firearms in removing unwanted regimes.  Contrast this with Syria where armed citizens are still dying daily.  It is too easy for a government to justify violence in the face of violence. Gun sales rocketed at the inauguration of Obama and whenever there is a mass shooting.  This behaviour is a shockingly myopic cycle that ends in more deaths.  Credible change will come through the voting booth not the false sense of security in guns.

So, what about the argument of protection? Indeed, on a personal level guns can empower people and can be used to protect people and their families.  Holding a gun in your hand can make an individual feel immensely powerful.  However, these happenings are relatively infrequent and the risk of accidents, suicide and murder rockets when a firearm is in the vicinity.  This is particularly true of urban areas.  Being attacked at home still remains the most unlikely place to be attacked.  On a societal level overall more guns do not equate to less crime, it is factually impossible and overly simplifying the issue.  America has a murder rate higher than many developing countries, i.e. Yemen, India, Pakistan and even Niger.  Hammers, knives and neither the sword is the preferred murder weapon but guns.

That is not to say that the model here in the UK is perfect. We have very strict gun laws in place, in my opinion too strict.  The problem with greater restrictions is that it inevitably leads to law abiding citizens being infringed upon and loss of rights.  This is not desirable or fair. The 1997 handgun ban in the UK did not lead to less crime; gun crime involved these weapons is up tenfold in some urban areas.  It was a catastrophic misjudgement by the public.

America is too riddled with guns for blanket banning to take place, too many will ignore it and firearms can survive generations with little maintenance. People in the US take their second amendment seriously, and I respect that.  Here in Europe we  have a hideous habit of thinking problems can be solved by politicians weilding new laws and implementing bannings. Common-sense is needed before indulging into a festival of regulation and restrictions as some are doomed to fail; Forcibly removing guns will end in utter failure.  Universal background checks and more scrutiny is needed when purchasing . The banning of absurd gun shows where they are unscrupulously sold and sexed must be taken.  Metal detectors at all schools and public buildings.  Government campaigns to deglamourise firearms and perhaps amnesties of unwanted guns should take place.  Also consideration for rural folks where the practical application of guns is greater than urban areas needs addressing.  Politician's that support such moves need to take the initiative against the pro-gun lobby whilst the momentum is there. The NRA will resist any changes even reasonable ones and people need to stand up to their bullshit.