In the first few weeks of 2018, there have been eight shootings in American schools, all of them using semi-automatic weapons made for the military, police, freedom-fighters and terrorists.
A congressman has pleaded with the government to put aside political considerations and come together to try and save lives. Just discuss the crisis A-politically and try not to shout at each other.
When the constitution was written down, the 'arms' which it was every citizen's right to bear were black-powder muskets. One shot and reload. About 30 seconds between each shot if you were quick.
Here's a suggestion: Retain the right to bear arms, but make them old muzzle-loaders. Give the security forces the semi-automatics so that the assassins only kill one school child before they get killed themselves.
I know this will not rid the country of millions of modern weapons (legal and illegally held), but it would make the bearers of them criminals overnight. If someone really wants to use a machine gun, then let them safely store it at a licensed range and only use it at the range. Don't take the thing home with you for your deranged son to find lying around in the bedroom.
For a country that is best in the world at rocket-science, this problem seems to be causing great difficulty in solving.
Your last sentence says it all. For a country who thinks it is best in the world there lies its problem, right through American society. And when one isn't the best, one picks up a gun and shoots all those in school who one doesn't like. Just all part of the American dream gone wrong. Forget about guns.
ReplyDeleteThey said 18 on the news. I imagine the US is now beginning to accept that it is no longer seen as 'the best'. Now they just shoot each other instead. An X Box, but in real life.
ReplyDeleteCro is right...it's 18, not 8. The far right conservatives and the NRA will never allow any sensible guns laws to be passed, no matter how many children die.
ReplyDeleteThe black South African comic Trevor Noah said the gun laws will only change if every black American was given a gun
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that this would be true.
DeleteYour suggestion is as good as any. I simply cannot understand why something isn't done. They have just relaxed regulations on mental health checks. You wonder how many children need to be killed.
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing is so appalling - I think we over here would like to see all guns banned in the US but I am not sure that it would completely answer the problem - I don't know what would - this school shooting business seems to be becoming a terrifying habit.
ReplyDeleteThe reality for me is that my lovely son who lives in the USA with his Californian wife who is a teacher, now wear bullet proof back packs. I wish he would come home but the world has gone mad, so where is safe? Where is a haven? Where are the blue remembered hills of the 1950s when I was brought up?
ReplyDeleteI am sure he will be ok Elegance. Remember we lived through the IRA. All will be well.
DeleteHow utterly sad x
DeleteToo many people with too many fingers in too many pies, to want to take America’s finger off the trigger!
ReplyDeleteLX