Firearms: the main problem for a problematic society. Is the right to keep and bear arms a modern right, or is it just a legacy of the past which may generate violence? That’s the point. Unfortunately, the American people are not willing to discuss each other, in order to find an acceptable solution.
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. Second amendment to the US Constitution – “Right to bear arms” – Passed by Congress September 25, 1789. Ratified December 15, 1791 (Note: The first 10 amendments form the Bill of Rights)
In spite of everything I have to admit that I still consider the US the land of Freedom and Opportunity. I respect the American people.
Anyway, sometimes it’s not easy for me, to understand both sentiments and behaviors of American citizens. In example, from this side of the Ocean, it’s generally difficult to get the sense of the Gun Control debate that is flaming the souls within the 50 States and to justify the fight to protect the Second Amendment to the US Constitution.
Looking from abroad… I’m used to asking myself: “Is it time to abolish the second amendment to the United States Constitution? Is it time for a total Weapons ban“? Well, massacre after massacre, ambush after ambush, I’m still searching for an answer, even if I’m pretty sure to be very close to the definitive one…
I’m perfectly aware that we are just men, as the ones who wrote the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights. As everybody knows, any Law (and we may consider the Constitution as a “Law of the Laws”) is just a Rule decided by a few men, for their Community. This is the reason why I think we must accept that when the Human Society changed itself, some Rules become silly…
The second amendment is a controversial prescription. Even if our History is important, because on our “roots” we build our Future, it’s more important to take a look at the Present and put us on the right track, by deciding to change something stupid. Maybe I’m wrong, but, regarding the Gun Control dispute, if the parties will continue to defend their own position, they will face a dangerous impasse till the end of time.
Recently, after I read an interesting article published on “The Economist”, I had a discussion with lots of international readers, on its Official Facebook page. My opinion was the following: “From whatever angle you look at the Gun Control debate, you face the same problem: American people are not willing to discuss each other. In my opinion, the Second Amendment to the US Constitution represents a “modern foolishness”. A dangerous legacy of the past. I mean that the “right to keep and bear Arms” was for sure a good thing at the time of Davy Crockett, but, today, it is just an illogical Law. Violence causes violence and “Potential Violence” causes Violence, as well. While you reflect, argue and wait for a political solution from Washington, that never will come, the NRA is laughing out loud… The battle is lost”.
I got the approval of the vast majority. On the other hand, an old man told me that I needed to put the crack pipe down and wake up. Somebody else calls me “idiot”. A guy simply said: “who cares what foreigners from a country we had to liberate from fascists think of our civil rights”? No way, man! That’s too easy… Stay on track!
Anyway, unfortunately, it’s not just a question of Likes and Dislikes.
I believe that three main reasons prevent to win the “war”. First of all, the NRA ability to mobilize its members and to spend unlimited amounts on Money in elections (observers and lawmakers see the NRA as one of the top three most influential lobbying groups in Washington, DC). As long as it will be able to go ahead with its activities, by infecting the Congress, we’ll never see politicians really interested in what’s best for America.
The second reason is that a massive gun control plan, or a total gun ban, will never be accepted because we are talking about the first superpower of the world and indirectly, of its armed forces. Under a psychological point of you, it’s a fact that a limited possibility to buy a gun or a rifle, should be the first step to undermine patriotism toward the state. I mean, if you are not used to shooting, or to handling a weapon, it’s normal, for you, to stay away from firearms and to get, also, a different state of mind. And that’s not a good thing for the Pentagon…
Just to summarize the above, I suggest to have a look at Hollywood movies. Lots of them are set on shootings and gunfires. War movies; Thriller movies; Horror movies; Western movies (if my memory serves me right, there’s only a western movie with “quiet guns”), etc. etc. They are used to breaking the box-office! Now, which is the cause and which is the effect? Is reality worse than fiction or fiction can mystify reality?
Last but not least, I think that nothing will really change, especially during Barack Obama‘s last year in office as President. Although his latter speech was very well presented, I believe that he won’t be able to change anything. Another “lost hope” of its Administration. If he did nothing when Democrats came back to success, he cannot do it while the Presidential campaign is open (and while Donald Trump is over the horizon).
Whatever the solution is, I think it cannot be a permissive law, following in Texas‘ footsteps. Because, if you take a walk with a gun in your belt and for a stupid reason you argue and fight with somebody else, it’s probable that you’ll react by shooting him, in order to let your own reasons prevail.
“Awareness” is the key for smart citizens. Awareness is the helpful password to avoid further abuses of power, by an “inattentive” and chatty Power. Awareness is the only “Right” worth fighting for. All the others are just empty words, or better, straws in the wind…
D.V.
P.S.: regarding the title of this brief article, all meanings are allowed.
