1. Have an Interesting Snippet to Share : Click Here
    Dismiss Notice

Gun Culture

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by Viswamitra, Oct 26, 2017.

  1. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    Bill of Rights 2 – Right to bear arms, is a highly debated topic for years in the United States. When the country was in formation stage, newly liberated from the British rule, the immigrants were worried about the Red Indians and about the rule of law as they were planning to change the laws enforced by the British rule. The country had people from all walks of life with different culture living simultaneously not knowing much about each other. In the process, while the laws were under development, in the absence of enough police force, the people were protecting themselves with the guns. Later when these people asked for this right as part of the constitution, this was granted by amending the constitution.

    Now, the country is facing a different problem. With the National Rifle Association solidly promoting the business of firearms in the civil society, more and more Americans are accumulating firearms at their residences. Sometimes, it is accessed by the innocent children accidentally, people with mental illness use this liberal law to buy firearms and shoot the innocent civilians in public places and so on. Sandy Hook Elementary School incident shook the conscience of the entire nation so much when many parents lost the children in the age group of 6-10. There were several school and university incidents reported from time to time. Then it spread to Malls, Theaters, Pubs, Concerts, other public events, etc. This is now becoming a regular menace in the United States and not all of them are from the members of the terrorist organizations. Knowing that eliminating the right to bear arms is difficult, many legislators are aiming to bring some commonsense gun laws for several years but without any success. The Americans continue to buy more and more firearms not for hunting animals but to protect themselves and their families.

    In the meantime, there are reports that police forces use excessive fire in discharging their duties either on a moving violation, stolen car chase, domestic violence reports, against minorities, etc. In some cities, even children and adults get shot on the street regularly not by the police force but by the civilians or when the battle happens between groups. There are too many deaths due to firearms in this country.

    In fact, the gun culture is embedded into the life of the Americans in day to day life. Americans use the firearm language in life more frequently than most countries in the world. The invited guest gave several examples. “Bite the bullet” is a term that is used often to refer to power through something unpleasant. When someone is very famous, the Americans use the term “hot shot”. “Keep your powder dry” is used to indicate to keep the resources in tact until it is needed. “Loaded for bear” is a term used to indicate preparation for a serious confrontation. “Offhand remark” is used to indicate handling something without preparation like not keeping the hand to be able to shoot. “Pot shot” is referred to unfair criticism or being opportunistic when originally it meant a gun shot fired at an easy target.

    “Silver bullet” is a term used for finding something very innovative when originally it refers to killing a werewolf or devil with a special bullet made up of silver. “Small-bore” is referred to a narrow gun barrel whereas in real life it is used to indicate politicians with a narrow outlook. “Snapshot” is referred to in real life to refer to a quick photograph or quick poll conducted to obtain public opinion whereas it originally referred to hurried shot without taking aim at a moving animal.

    Even when we watch a football game, we hear the terms like, “the ball was thrown like a bullet”, “he has many weapons in his arsenal” referring to quarterback having many receivers/running backs who can receive or run the football. When someone is asked “What are you up to?” and if he or she is not doing anything at that moment, he or she replies, “I am simply shooting the breeze”. Even a train that travels fast is named, “bullet train”. I am not sure how many more I missed here.

    It is time to change the language as the habits die hard. Besides, it is time to think whether in a civilized society governed by the rule of law, do the Americans need excessive firearms to protect themselves from each other? Fortunately, most are very law-abiding not using them unnecessarily which is a blessing. Based on the recent estimates, the firearms owned are three times as much as the population of the United States. We never know what we say or do would trigger (oops, even I am using the gun language) the anger of our neighbors.
     
    SCSusila and sindmani like this.
    Loading...

  2. Balajee

    Balajee IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    5,508
    Likes Received:
    4,486
    Trophy Points:
    338
    Gender:
    Male
    I rewmember after the Colombine school massacre the late and unlamented Charlton Heston was in the same city next daay defending Americans right to bear arms. The NRA is that insensitive. Lives of innocent kids don't matter. ?Wdon't matter What matters is arms manufacturers making a pretty penny.
    Des[te citizens hoarding fireams US has more crimes than neighbouring Canada where citizens use weapons only to hunt moose or bears during the hunting season.i
     
    Viswamitra likes this.
  3. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    2,336
    Likes Received:
    2,700
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Male
    Dear Viswa,
    Very timely reminder. You have very clearly elaborated on the subject and there is nothing much to add. Gangs of New York or Gangs of Washipur are the same except that the former have legimetised their business and the latter still depend on outdated laws.
    The morning paper front line, if not reporting some gun violence, is missing something here. The debate is on. Should guns be available freely for self protection and what type of guns. Hunting is not only a hobby but profession also. No party in USA can win an election without the support of the gun lobby. Both USA and Russia want the share of gun business globally.
    In way it is good. At least there is the consolation of being killed by a licensed gun. Back home it may be a katta- a crude copy of some latest gun. There are towns where illicit gun trade flourishies. More than 80 % of guns are unlicensed.
    People need gun as much as they need gin. Open as many shops as you can. Unemployment problem and population problem can be solved in one go.
     
    Viswamitra likes this.
  4. Nonya

    Nonya Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    1,465
    Likes Received:
    2,179
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Female
    whether you got your tongue in the cheek or not, there are odd benefits for a licensed gun.
    In Amreeka most gun deaths caused by privately owned guns are suicides.
    Just as unemployment, population are problems in India, having a serious illness and not being able to pay for medical care would be a problem that can be solved by cheking out.... for good. Occasionally depressed/peeved people commit what is known as "police assisted suicide". In such cases there is usually some collateral damage.

    Government operated (or sponsored) service parlors to eliminate such collateral damage was imagined and written in fiction
    . It would take some more time before Life imitates Art, and our nation would manage to keep the guns, as well as accommodate those who want to commit quiet, non-newsworthy suicides.
     
  5. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    Dear Balajee,

    The minimum amount spent by each party candidate for President is at least $1 billion every four years and unfortunately, most of these contributions are coming from NRA members, Insurance & financial services, technology, pharmaceutical companies, etc. A few candidates changed the trend by collecting money from common public through internet so that they will never get influenced by the lobbies of these major industries. Still these industries come in the form of Superpac indirectly supporting the candidates which unfortunately was allowed by the Supreme Court.

    No country has more gun violence than the United States and no country has more people incarcerated than the United States either. NRA is only focused on the sale of guns and now they are even marketing automatic assault riffles to the common public. When they conduct annual shows, it is well attended by public to show what type of new weapons are introduced in the market.

    I agree NRA is insensitive but not entirely responsible for this epidemic of pulling the trigger. It is the mental state of a few who having access to enormous number of guns without any restrictions.

    Viswa
     
  6. Viswamitra

    Viswamitra IL Hall of Fame

    Messages:
    13,370
    Likes Received:
    24,115
    Trophy Points:
    538
    Gender:
    Male
    Dear Hari,

    Thank you for your response. If the guns are needed for hunting and for self-protection, why there should be three times more guns sold than the population of the US? If 4 soldiers died due to the trap set up by the terrorists in Niger, 50+ unarmed innocent civilians died in Los Vegas attending a concert due to a mad man having access to automatic weapons. His room was filled with automatic and semi-automatic converted into automatic weapons in large quantities.

    I assume your last sentence was intended to be a sarcasm.

    Viswa
     
  7. HariLakhera

    HariLakhera Platinum IL'ite

    Messages:
    2,336
    Likes Received:
    2,700
    Trophy Points:
    283
    Gender:
    Male
    Dear Viswa,
    This is a million dollar question- why three times more guns than the population? I think it is also because some guys have a fancy for acquiring the latest gun that hits the market. It is also because rules for keeping guns are too lax here. I have no stats but I guess fifty percent of the population keep no guns. There are some not so secured areas in every town in the USA where people live under constant threat. They think the only way they can encounter is by acquiring a gun, licensed or otherwise. Hunting is the other need. Also a good part of the population lives in the county side engaged in agriculture and they need guns to protect he selves and their animals. The most important facet of course is the gun culture itself promoted and patronized by the gun manufacturers and through them by the government.

    India is different. First of all getting a gun license is tough. Then it is not needed for protecting from wild animals as there are no wilds now. All forests are gone. I don't think hunting is permitted anywhere. So,why would one need a gun except to use for extortion or revenge? For that deshi katta is easily available in the back lanes of Meerut and other cities.

    Yes the line line is jest and sarcasm both. The government should use the spare capacity in the ordinance factory and produce cheap guns to compete with deshi kattas and illicit trade. As it is all types of guns are available to the naxalites and terrorists. They can think of even appointing dealers.
     

Share This Page