For mange amerikanere er individuelle frihedsrettigheder vigtigere end ønsket om våbenrestriktioner.
In the United States, the answer to guns in the hands of bad guys is apparently more guns in the hands of good guys
For many Americans, individual liberties are more important than gun restrictions.
‘The children quickly get used to an armed guard at school. After a few days, the older, retired sniper is a part of their everyday life. “
“In the United States, we have a pandemic when it comes to shootings. This year alone, we have had more than 250 mass shootings, 38 since the school shooting in Texas two weeks ago that cost 19 children and two adults their lives.
I am struggling to find the right facial expression, not quite sure how to react. A man from a local furnace company is sitting in my kitchen. He is originally from Texas and likes to share his political views while making calculations on various heating options that might be relevant for my home.
“But is it not problematic that we have to have this debate in the first place?”
In the United States, we have a pandemic when it comes to shootings. This year alone, we have had more than 250 mass shootings, 38 since the school shooting in Texas two weeks ago that cost 19 children and two adults their lives.
“There are more weapons in the United States than there are people. They’ll never take our weapons from us.” I do not comment on his use of “they,” because that view on society where the fear of the government as a regulatory monster, I’m not interested in going into.
What I am very interested in is hearing his thoughts on what he thinks should be done about the situation the United States is where mass shootings are part of everyday life.
“It is a right and an honor to carry a gun. When I carry a gun, I have made a decision. I am ready to sacrifice my life if a situation arises where I have to protect myself or my fellow citizens. “
It’s not often I get the opportunity to talk to someone with viewpoints so different from my own. Fortunately, he was more than willing to share his views, and the conversation stretched far and wide with a respect for each other’s views. One thing was clear after our conversation: For many Americans, the right to individual freedom is more important than restrictions.
Not once did he mention calling the police. Instead, he listed quite a few scenarios where I myself would either jump out the window and run away or call the police, but where the natural reaction for him was a confrontation with an automatic weapon.
The conversation made me think about American society in general. Because the conversation was a clear example of why nothing significant is going to change in America´s weapons legislation – even if the media is still dominated by discussions and conversations focusing on what can be done in relation to weapons legislation and access.
Maybe there will be a subordinate change that has no real effect, but we will not see any radical changes – not even after angry actors, grieving mothers, frustrated politicians in favor of restrictions in the legislation, are pleeding and appealing for changes in gun legislation.
The salesman in my kitchen was no cliché Texan with a cowboy hat and bulletproof vest. He was an ordinary, kind, proud American – who fully and firmly believes in the right to bear arms. Also the kind that fires several shots per second.
And he was of the opinion that legislation would mean restrictions for ordinary law-abiding citizens like himself – and if there is one thing individualistic freedom-loving Americans do not want to be a part of – it is to have their freedoms reduced. In fairness, he was open to changing the laws so that 18-year-olds should only be allowed to use an AR-15, the same weapon that the 18-year-old perpetrator used at a Texas school two weeks ago, in the company of an adult.
“Your political survival is subordinate to the survival of our children.” Those words were uttered yesterday by Nancy Pelosi, Democrat and leader of the House of Representatives.
Protect Our Children, is the name of the bill that went through the House and is now going on to the Senate, where it will without a doubt be buried along with all the other bills that seek to implement restrictions on guns.
Every time I visit an office building, I have to go through a security screening before I am allowed to enter.
This is also the case at my children’s schools, where I can not just walk in but have to wait outside before I am buzzed into a middle office, where I then either have to wait for my child to be called from his classroom, or must register to be allowed to enter the school.
Maybe the salesman who was sitting in my kitchen yesterday is right: In a short time, I might be chatting with a visibly armed guard when I pick up my kids at their respective schools? Because in this country, the answer to weapons in the wrong hands is apparently more weapons in the hands of good guys.
Danish-American Eyes on Society 