do foreigners think America is drowning in guns?

[darden]

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.

I think one thing some foreigners fail to appreciate is just how large America is.

you may have a state like Wyoming with 60% gun ownership rate, but then you've got New Jersey with like 10%.

of course, it works both ways... I always forget that Canada has rednecks too.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

interstin size
bigga da land mor bugga up

ha

da state of bugga population 1 1 vote

haaaaaaaaaaaaa

anyway

next bit

thankyou

wonda wot millions a awsums folks do world ova do eva real job get?
* da answa is *
ooh nose dat 1

thankyou < repeat
cue anime bang bang bang ans inta sunset
* oooh bradddddddddd *
$ script run out $

thankyou < repeat ofs repeat

ha

 

[G-Lexington]

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

...me?

Lex

 

[LeicsDom]

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)

The perception is that, yes, America has a very unhealthy obssession with guns.
It also seems that the further down the intelligence scale you get the more likely you are to bear arms (to count5eract a low IQ?)

 

[LeicsDom]

I fail to understand the culture of violence Americans have, and the perceived necessity of guns.

Maybe it has something to do with trying to connect with their history. They have precious little to choose from
Maybe they all want to have empathy with their frontier forebears?
Or maybe their low intelligence makes them paranoid and defensive

 

[G-Lexington]

A small part also might have to do with our basic mindset. America is a very individiualistic country. We seem most happy and impressed with individual achievements, where one person climbs his way up to become the top of his game (and always with the attendant riches that come along with it). Nothing wrong with that per se, but it has some far-reaching consequences. We're mistrusting of people who DON'T "make it on their own". Accepting aid from any source (especially public aid) is considered a sign of weakness and parasitic behavior. We tend to get an "every-person-for-themselves" sort of attitude towards life, and we're apt to distrust everybody outside of our immediate circle. This includes our government, our police force, and our so-called "community". Unless you've earned your way into the circle, you're considered a potential threat. It may be because of that that we feel we need to take it upon ourselves to protect ourselves against all possible threats, real and imagined.

Lex

 

[The Fly]

I've owned firearms my whole life. When I was in the military (2/75 Rangers) I was a small arms instructor.

It strikes me that most people who are so opposed to firearms, have no first hand knowledge of them. They've never seen, held, or fired one....but they are certain guns are evil.

I'd rather have a gun and not need it, than need one and not have it.

 

[Kahaih]

. . . . .

I'd rather have a gun and not need it, than need one and not have it.

Going to Mexico to steal back some horses tonight?

 

[G-Lexington]

I'd rather have a gun and not need it, than need one and not have it.

That's why I own my ticker-tape machine.

Lex

 

[gsdx]

It strikes me that most people who are so opposed to firearms, have no first hand knowledge of them.

I'm not opposed to firearms although I would never want to hold one let alone fire it. I am, however, opposed to weapons and ammunition much more powerful than the average policeman is allowed to carry being so easy to obtain by anyone who wants them. I'm opposed to people not being responsible for their weapons, leaving them out in the open where they become a toy to children who don't understand what they can do, or for young people who know what they can do and proceed to do just that. I'm opposed to the massacres which are treated as 'just another headline', and I'm opposed to the people who insist that it's their God-given right to do it.

I'm also opposed to a government which is afraid to fix it.

I'm not saying that Americans should lose their right to own a gun. I just think there should be limits to the guns they are allowed to own.

 

[palbert]

Can't say I worry too much about what they think on the issue.

But we do have too many guns too easily available.

 

[c0nfused]

I've owned firearms my whole life. When I was in the military (2/75 Rangers) I was a small arms instructor.

It strikes me that most people who are so opposed to firearms, have no first hand knowledge of them. They've never seen, held, or fired one....but they are certain guns are evil.

I'd rather have a gun and not need it, than need one and not have it.

I do clay pigeon pigeon shooting, and since i live on a farm, we have licensed shotguns. I still think america has a serious gun issue.

 

[Taz]

I feel less safe here than I have in any other country I have visited, except maybe Malaysia.

The reason being there are crazy people everywhere. I don't think I've gone a day here without seeing at least one. And the reason that is scary is because any one of them could have a gun. Any person on the street could have a gun. They could lose thier shit and end you so easily.

And I know that is true of other countries, or even other weapons. But personally the people here just give me that feeling, like because of the way you are portrayed in the media.

Another thing that worried me is we went to a gun range the other day and fired some guns, to see what all the fuss was about. It was a good experience, but the attitude of the staff was alarming. They would talk about guns in an Incredibly morbid way. I chose the p90 to fire (because I love stargate and that was thier gun of choice) and the guy was like great choice you could cut someone in half with that in no time.

To answer the question, while it may not necessarily be true the overwhelming perception remains because that's the way the media portrays your country.

 

[The Fly]

I do clay pigeon pigeon shooting, and since i live on a farm, we have licensed shotguns. I still think america has a serious gun issue.

You never cease to be wrong.

We don't have a "gun issue", we have a availability issue.
I'm in favour of a firearms registry, proficiency testing, background checks...the whole nine,....but an unarmed citizenry...NO!!!

For many reasons guns are part of our collective National heritage, familial (in my case tribal) traditions, and many others you wouldn't understand.

I'm willing to concede the 2nd amendment doesn't apply to toothlees morons stockpiling automatic weapons in a trailer park.........but I can't imagine, and would oppose an America without our our gun heritage.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

-gun heritage-

awsum

thankyou

 

[zoltanspawn]

Another thing that worried me is we went to a gun range the other day and fired some guns, to see what all the fuss was about. It was a good experience, but the attitude of the staff was alarming. They would talk about guns in an Incredibly morbid way. I chose the p90 to fire (because I love stargate and that was thier gun of choice) and the guy was like great choice you could cut someone in half with that in no time.

In the palace of the imagination, there are many rooms.

 

[bankside]

This is the kind of event that seems commonplace in the USA:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24907851

It makes the rest of us wonder why Americans don't understand: guns don't keep them safe in the way they all seem to believe.

 

[Kulindahr]

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.

So long as there are criminals with greater ability to do violence than any citizen, firearms are needed to level the field. To deny weapons of self-defense to citizens is to declare their lives worthless.

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

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

Nope -- it isn't an argument for gun control in the least. What it is,is an argument for Congress to get off its collective fat ass and make use of its authority to provide for the organization and discipline of the militia (Article I, Section 8).

 

[Kulindahr]

It strikes me that most people who are so opposed to firearms, have no first hand knowledge of them. They've never seen, held, or fired one....but they are certain guns are evil.

One of the things the Pink Pistols does is try to give politicians who haven't had any, experience with firearms. So far, regardless of political party, every single one who's come shooting with us has come away appreciating and enjoying the experience -- and most of the time they ask what firearm would be best for them to obtain.

BTW, we don't get many Republicans joining us -- somehow, they don't approve of the company.

I'm not opposed to firearms although I would never want to hold one let alone fire it. I am, however, opposed to weapons and ammunition much more powerful than the average policeman is allowed to carry being so easy to obtain by anyone who wants them. I'm opposed to people not being responsible for their weapons, leaving them out in the open where they become a toy to children who don't understand what they can do, or for young people who know what they can do and proceed to do just that. I'm opposed to the massacres which are treated as 'just another headline', and I'm opposed to the people who insist that it's their God-given right to do it.

This definitely. But restricting guns is the wrong approach; it penalizes the innocent for the sake of a tiny minority of guilty. What's needed is Congress acting on their Article I Section 8 authority to provide for the organization and discipline of the militia. Being responsible for one's weapons is perhaps the prime requirement for a well-regulated militia; proper secure storage is part of responsibility for one's weapons. At the very least, Congress should pass a law requiring responsible storage of any and all firearms not in use (having one in a place known to trained individuals in a household for purpose of defending that household would count as in use).

As for "God-given right", the Founders and Framers would find your position ludicrous, if what you mean is owning firearms. But they would also speak of a God-given responsibility to act responsibly with them.

I'm also opposed to a government which is afraid to fix it.

I'm not saying that Americans should lose their right to own a gun. I just think there should be limits to the guns they are allowed to own.

Limits on the guns, no -- limits on irresponsible and foolish behavior, yes.

 

[Kulindahr]

I'm willing to concede the 2nd amendment doesn't apply to toothlees morons stockpiling automatic weapons in a trailer park.........but I can't imagine, and would oppose an America without our our gun heritage.

The federal government knows where all the automatic weapons in the country are: each one requires a license, and the availability is limited to those which were already in civilian hands in (IIRC the year) 1968. And I doubt any "toothless moron" would be able to acquire one; the price per item tends to run in six figures.