My First Experience with the Gun Culture!
It was a wonderful evening and I thought to buy some stuff from a shopping mall for Thanksgiving along with my friend. We were busy in shopping and suddenly we heard a loud bang and within seconds saw people screaming ‘run’ and storming towards the exit. I couldn’t understand what had happened? I saw two girls hiding under the table nearby and my friend also pushed me to bend down for cover. Later we got to know that it was a shoplifting incident where the suspect had stolen a jewelry item from the kiosk shop and had run away. An employee chasing the suspect was fired at which caused the bang at first place. However, fortunately no casualties or injuries were reported but the traumatic ambience when everyone was running and screaming was very disturbing and has been implanted in my brain ever since. Something that was a part of TV serials, movies and news thus far in my life, observing it happening in front of my eyes was quite horrifying.
It baffles me! The United States of America has the most powerful military in the world. The statue of liberty stands tall symbolizing the world’s longest functioning democracy. Its stock market, at an all-time high, still reflects the command America has on the global economy. Yet, In America these days, you never have to wait long for the next mass shooting — or for the next revelation that someone who should never have had a gun somehow got one anyway. Why there are no strict laws made related to gun safety?
Guns kill more Americans annually instead of any other mishap including terrorist acts (God forbid!). As per the data revealed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 153,144 people were killed by homicide in which firearms were used between 2001 and 2013. When suicides and legal police killings are included, the number shoots up to 394,912. In comparison, the data shared by the Global Terrorism Database, reports 3,046 people in the U.S. died in terrorist or possible terrorist attacks between 2001 and 2014. Counting just the homicides alone, 11,780 Americans were killed by guns a year on average, in this time period, while 219 on average were per year killed by terrorism-related acts where the 9/11 attacks alone comprise a significant percentage of the casualties. (Source: nbcnews.com)
I came to know that Gun ownership is a basic American right. The United States has the most heavily armed civilian population. There are 270 million privately held firearms in the USA. Also, the USA has the highest gun ownership per capita rate in the world, with an average of about nine guns for every 10 Americans. (Source: Washington Post)
Why do US citizens feel the need to buy guns?
I realize that they keep firearms for their self-defense and home protection in mind. Other reasons for guns include hunting and target shooting.
However, are guns the only way to keep safe? Where is that boundary line drawn when toys of safety become instruments of abuse? No one has the right to kill innocents. Guns don’t discriminate between criminals and innocent bystanders. And most of the time, it is someone’s beloved who becomes the victim.
Harleena Singh
December 3, 2015Hi Ana,
Good to be over at your blog 🙂
Yes, such an incident could scare anyone of us, and almost looks like a movie or serial one sees! As Bren mentioned above, it’s not the gun that kills but the sick mind behind it, the person who takes this dreaded step without thinking about the lives he’s taking. Whatever be the reason, I wish we could all live in a peaceful atmosphere, which sadly isn’t the case, as such incidents occur all over. However, the gun culture hasn’t really started in our country as yet.
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
View CommentAna
December 3, 2015Hi Harleena,
It should be readily evident even with the two bit crooks etc. who have guns that the vast majority are law abiding citizens. The U S seems to have a far bigger problem and it is governed by a warped cultural attitude that says you can settle your scores with a wild west barroom brawl or a six gun. I will leave it to the reader to determine where one gets that from.
View CommentAdditionally for the less than mentally mature, poorly equipped socially dysfunctional ability to verbally express or solve problems, inundated with a kill, kill, kill, thoughtless get even at all cost desperation.
We have these anomalies in every society, but outside the U S you have most society’s whose social structure is such that these acts are neither permitted, sanctioned or least of all encouraged in any manner. Being an Indian, I have also never experienced the same in my country. That is not to say that they do not happen in isolated cases.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great week ahead! 🙂
Angie Scheie
December 3, 2015The ongoing debate…I actually see both sides. I come from a big hunting family, and my husband is a Libertarian from Montana so there you go! But I do think something has got to change because we have WAY too many gun related shootings. Tougher gum laws for sure, but I just don’t see the best solution :-(.
View CommentAna
December 3, 2015Yes Angie, it’s a very controversial topic. We really don’t have an exact solution. Though strict gun laws can still be a little hope. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
View CommentMiranda (Myrabev)
December 3, 2015I too can not understand why gun ownership is part of a constitution? Do we really need to have a gun to feel safe? I am sure it was scary being in the midst of such an ordeal but glad you’re ok. America really needs to change it’s stance on guns.
View CommentAna
December 3, 2015Absolutely Miranda! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
View CommentPhyllis
December 2, 2015It’s so sad that something so deadly is so easily accessible to anyone. I hope that stricter laws are put into place so guns do not continue to go in the wrong hands. I understand people wanting to protect their homes, but there have been so many accidental deaths due to guns at homes and so many random shootings by people who were able to get it from someone in their home. Praying for California right now…
View CommentAna
December 2, 2015It’s very disappointing that we hear daily all these sad news. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
View CommentRachel
December 2, 2015Hey Ana,
I love how you have written this post. I have always been fascinated by America and their gun laws. I don’t have a for or against opinion on the subject. I just see on Facebook or any other social media site when guns are the subject I am always amazed by the knowledge, the enthusiasm and jargon used. I like the saying that goes, guns don’t kill people. People kill people.
With the right training I believe you can own a gun and use it responsibly. I can’t wait to get over to America and get my gun licence, wear my cowboy boots and learn everything there is to know about shooting and cleaning a gun. I know I can do it hear in Australia but it has more of an appeal in America – which is where I will be located sometime in the future.
The statistics you shared are rather alarming aren’t they. Thanks for the post.
Rachel.
View CommentAna
December 3, 2015Hi Rachel,
View CommentI am glad that you liked this post. Hollywood movies were intended to foster American culture: i.e., Freedom and Democracy American style. Guns–cowboy picture and gangsters sent a message that the violence of WWII could still be lived vicariously. Even I am fascinated by cowboy boots and hat. But I don’t think I would be ever interested in buying a gun for myself. I totally agree with you that it is not the gun that shoots, is the person behind it. We need to fix the society that produced the sick person that kills. If a sick person wants to kill, he will get a gun, legally or illegally.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
Chocolate Mama Loves Vanilla
December 2, 2015Crazy how you had to experience something like that in your lifetime. It’s scary that today the news has been broadcasting yet another shooting. I pray for the people experiencing this in California today 🙁
View CommentAna
December 2, 2015Yeah California news is very disappointing. Rip to the victims who have lost their lives. 🙁
View CommentAlexis
December 2, 2015That is so scary. I’m glad no one was in the line of the bullet. Wow! Stay safe out there. Things happen in a blink of an eye and have you question if it was all a dream,
Alexis |
View CommentAna
December 5, 2015Absolutely Alexin, It happen within a fraction of second that hardly we could do anything. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend. 🙂
View CommentShann Eva
December 2, 2015How scary! I’m so glad everything turned out OK and no one was hurt. Guns terrify me, and I don’t understand why people feel the need to carry them. Too many accidents and bad things happen when guns are around.
View CommentAna
December 2, 2015Hi Shann, yeah that was the most terrifying experience I ever had. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
View CommentLynda@fitnessmomwinecountry
December 2, 2015Ana, I agree with Jemma, I sure wish we could live in a world united and without having the fear of needing or wanting guns or bombs. It is so scary. Why can’t we use words {even if they are angry words,} they are better than violence.
View CommentAna
December 2, 2015Hey Lynda, I am also against any kind of violence in this world. It’s inhuman. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
View CommentJemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
December 2, 2015I really don’t see a place for guns or bombs in this world. There are much more civilised ways to resolve serious issues than shoving a gun in someones face.
View CommentAna
December 2, 2015Very true Jemma, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
View CommentAutumn
December 3, 2015Unfortunately, the people who will likely use a gun to resolve an issue or perpetuate a crime like this would probably also have no issue stabbing or assaulting people otherwise. I don’t think the issue is necessarily with guns, but with people and the glorification of violence in the media for entertainment purposes.
View CommentAna
December 5, 2015I completely agree with you that entertainment industry has glorified the glorification of violence. Thanks Autumn for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Have a great weekend!
View Comment