When foreigners are sometimes asked what seems most strange about American society, somewhere on the top of the list will be the fact that the average citizen is allowed to possess guns.
Although it is true that many people carry guns legally in the United States, it is also known that many who possess guns carry them illegally. Others, who don't have guns, feel that guns can be acquired quite easily. A recent survey indicated that many high school students, especially in the inner cities, can acquire a gun with little difficulty. Some schools require students to pass through a metal detector similar to those found at airports before entering the school building.
Police statistics also show that death by firearms is one of the leading causes of death among children under twenty and many citizens feel that owning one is a necessary for self-protection. In a campaign to get children to give up their weapons, guns were once exchanged for toys at Christmas. Several years ago thousands of children handed in their firearms for coupons redeemable at Toys "R" Us. This was a bizarre and ironic indication of the full extend of the problem.
Although most people would never want to own a gun, others have taken up hunting as a sport and enjoy hunting wild game in season. Hunting for deer, pheasants and duck in fall and winter is very much a part of the American culture.
Also, some ranchers in rural areas who raise cattle and sheep feel they need to protect their animals against the mountain lions and wolves which attack their herds and flocks at night. To defend and support their rights to posses firearms The National Rifle Association (NRA) was founded in 1871 by National Guard officers. Their purpose was to help rifle owners to increase the accuracy of their marks-manship. The organization has close ties with the Defense department which has helped to support the organization and even sponsor a rifle contest. Nevertheless, the main importance of this association has been its efforts to prevent strict gun control legislation. The association has great political support in small towns and rural areas especially in the West and the South where hunting is especially popular. Those who favor the right to possess guns insist that the second amendment to the constitution provides the right of people "to keep and bear arms." They believe that gun control laws will not solve the problem of crime and violence in America.
Recent events in America, however, have shown that the question of gun possession is now out of control and strong lobbies in Washington have called for immediate action to be taken. In seemingly peaceful schools students have gone into classrooms and cafeterias and opened fire upon their own classmates. In horror and shock America has been traumatized by such incidents which seem to occur with greater frequency. The periodic deaths of innocent citizens and even foreign visitors from guns have forced legislators to enact laws to stop these senseless killings.
Some have suggested that the distribution of ammunition be strictly controlled and heavily taxed, thereby making it difficult to acquire bullets for weapons. Others have proposed that a strict test be offered to anyone applying for a gun to ascertain his mental competency and stability.
The day may not be far off when America will be transformed from a gun culture to one which controls their use and possession.