do foreigners think America is drowning in guns?

[darden]

so, I'm just returning home from a week-long trip to Toronto with the boyfriend.

while there, we went on a pretty fun brewery tour. after the tour, the tour group all sat around and hung out for a bit to drink a few more factory-fresh beers.

my BF and I were the only Americans in the group (one couple from France, one couple from BC, and a group of 3 friends from elsewhere in Ontario), and after a couple beers, the non-Americans started asking about the US.

I was pretty stunned that the impression, at least inside this small group, was that America was literally drowning in guns and that you can't walk down a street anywhere in the country without dodging bullets.

is that a pretty widespread impression outside of the US, or did I just stumble into a clueless group of people? (and ignorant... the 3 Ontario guys went into this long rant about how awful the First Peoples are and how they're ruining Canada)

personally, at 32, I've seen exactly 2 guns outside of the hands of military/law enforcement. both of those guns were rifles and belonged to seasoned hunters. I've never seen a handgun, and as far as I can remember, I've never actually heard a gun fired outside of tv shows/movies. my BF's experience is similar (the only gun he's ever seen was his brother-in-law's hunting rifle)

(not to say that America doesn't have gun problems, but the outside impression seemed like everyone in this country is living in a war zone)

 

[G-Lexington]

A friend of mine is a journalist, and spent a week in Toronto for some work-related thing. He ended up arriving in the city at two am, and had his first interview at eight. Naturally, he tumbled into hos hotel bed hoping to get enough sleep to be on his game. Unfortunately, it was prom night or something, and there were a bumch of late teens in the room next to him having an all-night party. After trying to ignore it for several minutes, he finally slipped on his shoes and walked over there. He knocked on the door, and when a group of kids answered, my friend simply said, "Hi. My name is Aaron, and I'm in the room next door. I'm from America. We like guns." Then he turned, went back to his room, and slept until seven thirty in utter silence.

Lex

 

[gsdx]

personally, at 32, I've seen exactly 2 guns outside of the hands of military/law enforcement.

I live in Ontario (about an hour away from Toronto). I'm over 60, and, in my entire life, I've never seen ANY guns in public, even in the hands of military/law enforcement. I've seen photos, but never in real life.

 

[c0nfused]

Considering all i ever hear about is people shooting up a school, airports, colleges and cinemas. Yes. I also think your police are way too gun happy. Couldn't believe it when they shot that women who tried to crash into the white house. They could have shot, spiked the tyres or anything, but no.

 

[G-Lexington]

Oh, and maybe this is Colorado talking, but I've seen hundreds of guns, and hundreds being fired. All at the shooting range or out in the wilderness, though.

Lex

 

[johaninsc]

I'm hearing gunshots right now..seriously
pretty common around here this time of year
people getting ready for deer season? in a couple of weeks or so, I guess

 

[rareboy]

so, I'm just returning home from a week-long trip to Toronto with the boyfriend.

while there, we went on a pretty fun brewery tour. after the tour, the tour group all sat around and hung out for a bit to drink a few more factory-fresh beers.

my BF and I were the only Americans in the group (one couple from France, one couple from BC, and a group of 3 friends from elsewhere in Ontario), and after a couple beers, the non-Americans started asking about the US.

I was pretty stunned that the impression, at least inside this small group, was that America was literally drowning in guns and that you can't walk down a street anywhere in the country without dodging bullets.

is that a pretty widespread impression outside of the US, or did I just stumble into a clueless group of people? (and ignorant... the 3 Ontario guys went into this long rant about how awful the First Peoples are and how they're ruining Canada)

personally, at 32, I've seen exactly 2 guns outside of the hands of military/law enforcement. both of those guns were rifles and belonged to seasoned hunters. I've never seen a handgun, and as far as I can remember, I've never actually heard a gun fired outside of tv shows/movies. my BF's experience is similar (the only gun he's ever seen was his brother-in-law's hunting rifle)

(not to say that America doesn't have gun problems, but the outside impression seemed like everyone in this country is living in a war zone)

Stop hanging around ignorant douchenozzle queens. I would have slapped them.

 

[darden]

I live in Ontario (about an hour away from Toronto). I'm over 60, and, in my entire life, I've never seen ANY guns in public, even in the hands of military/law enforcement. I've seen photos, but never in real life.

have you never seen a police officer? my understanding is that Canadian police, like American (and unlike British police) are armed.

I need to take military/police out of the equation for myself, at least. I had a parttime job during college in lower Manhattan and security after 9/11 was intense. I still routinely see police and dogs outside of the subway station I take to work.

 

[gsdx]

have you never seen a police officer? my understanding is that Canadian police, like American (and unlike British police) are armed.

I have seen police officers, including plenty of RCMP, and they are armed. What I have NOT seen, is a police officer or RCMP officer with a gun in his hands and aiming it at someone - at least not in real life. Only in photos and videos.

 

[darden]

I have seen police officers, including plenty of RCMP, and they are armed. What I have NOT seen, is a police officer or RCMP officer with a gun in his hands and aiming it at someone - at least not in real life. Only in photos and videos.

ah, gotcha.

I can second that as well. in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, I remember National Guard troops patrolling some areas like outside of the Lincoln/Holland Tunnels who were carrying assault rifles, but I've never actually seen one aimed or fired at someone.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

usa means? 50 states alls laws a wako alls foreign ta owns feet
planet globe spin bullets games ans media zoo ans
public blow nose cause
run out popcorn

thankyou

 

[bankside]

so, I'm just returning home from a week-long trip to Toronto with the boyfriend.

while there, we went on a pretty fun brewery tour. after the tour, the tour group all sat around and hung out for a bit to drink a few more factory-fresh beers.

my BF and I were the only Americans in the group (one couple from France, one couple from BC, and a group of 3 friends from elsewhere in Ontario), and after a couple beers, the non-Americans started asking about the US.

I was pretty stunned that the impression, at least inside this small group, was that America was literally drowning in guns and that you can't walk down a street anywhere in the country without dodging bullets.

is that a pretty widespread impression outside of the US, or did I just stumble into a clueless group of people? (and ignorant... the 3 Ontario guys went into this long rant about how awful the First Peoples are and how they're ruining Canada)

personally, at 32, I've seen exactly 2 guns outside of the hands of military/law enforcement. both of those guns were rifles and belonged to seasoned hunters. I've never seen a handgun, and as far as I can remember, I've never actually heard a gun fired outside of tv shows/movies. my BF's experience is similar (the only gun he's ever seen was his brother-in-law's hunting rifle)

(not to say that America doesn't have gun problems, but the outside impression seemed like everyone in this country is living in a war zone)

When you actually look at gun ownership rates, yes, you are drowning in guns. You have 3 times as many guns as Canadians have, and we have more than are really necessary, even when you consider the polar bears up north.

And when you look at the news stories about gun violence around the world, they may have exaggerated, but basically it's true. The US pays a ridiculously high price for its obsession with guns. It is ethically and politically indefensible, and doesn't actually make US society safer or more pleasant or more just.

The bigger issue is that these Ontarians sound like a bunch of racist assholes.

 

[Callum]

I'm in Toronto and I don't think Americans are drowning in guns. I also think our First Peoples suffered a cultural genocide and are pretty much destroyed -- it's depressing stuff. You just met a few assholes.

I fail to understand the culture of violence Americans have, and the perceived necessity of guns. I guess when you look at American history it's extraordinarily violent with little compromise, so it's justifiable in a warped sense...but it's scary shit. I would never live there.

 

[zoltanspawn]

I agree with Darden, I don't believe I've ever seen more than a couple of guns out in public. They're not visible everywhere, and it never occurs to me to worry about them.

Having said that, I also agree with Bankside about our statistical abundance. An acquaintance of mine was at a mall shooting, and the other day one of my co-workers had to detour around a street that had been cordoned off due to gunfire. These are rare events, though, and not worth any anxiety.

 

[oakpope]

I have friends who are actually pretty afraid to visit the USA, fearing being shot at by criminals, police officers or error. I don't say they're right, it's just their feeling.

 

[Corny]

^ it doesn't help that there seems to be another police-abuse story in the news every other day.

Apart from that. Many of my colleagues have been in the US for 3-12 months. ALL of them have multiple gun related stories and scares to tell. They have been in the South though, and from friends that went on holiday in the US I haven't heard such stories yet (just the "they're crazy, you can buy a gun at walmart" stories). So maybe it is a regional thing?

 

[G-Lexington]

I honestly think the major problem in America isn't guns - it's mental health. Guns just enable them to do a lot more damage. I'm not against gun control, but I do think it's overlooking the real problem.

Lex

 

[Corny]

But .. but .. you just delivered the best argument for gun control?

 

[bankside]

But .. but .. you just delivered the best argument for gun control?

Yup. and since i need ten characters: yup.

 

[Telstra]

No but it has the impression of guns are everywhere and easy to get.