Gun violence is part of my every day life. Time to share a European view on America’s gun culture.
I wish I could stick to my editorial calendar, but—again—gun violence has disrupted my life.
I’ve extensively talked about America’s gun culture. In March 2016, I wrote a blog with the title, “How to explain to Europeans the role of guns in America.” In September of the same year, after encountering a gun shop in a lovely Maryland town, I described my experience with guns in “How Does A French-German Expat Feel About The Second Amendment?” Lately, I stated that Germans are as neurotic about their cars as Americans are about guns.
What could I add to my former blogs that would positively contribute to my mission of explaining the hows and whys of cultural differences between the US and Europe? Today, I believe it’s time to expand a European’s view on America’s gun culture.
Some common sense is missing in America when it comes to guns
I have compared American guns to German cars, and yes I have presented the Second Amendment to non-Americans. However, I entirely share the opinion of Europeans toward guns: if you don’t have a gun, you can’t hurt anybody. If you get angry at someone, you can’t shoot him or her. If you are suicidal, you can’t use a gun against yourself. If you’re a criminal, you can’t pull out a gun against a police officer.
I’d call it common sense, and many surveys convey the same conclusion. Fewer guns = fewer deaths. Period.
A former student of our local high school was just arrested
Last Saturday, parents of our local high school received an email from the principal. She informed them of a former student being arrested after posting threats on social media. This article from the Washington Post summarizes the situation.
Yesterday, I overheard a teenager asking his father, “Should I try to stop the shooter if he comes to my school?” To be a hero should stay a dream, not be the real concern of a 15-year-old boy.
A new analysis from the Small Arms Survey, a gun research group based in Switzerland, found that the US has the highest rate of guns owned by civilians: in 2017, there were 120.5 guns per 100 residents. Yes, they are more guns in America than people.
Now, this doesn’t mean that every American owns a gun. In fact, gun ownership is concentrated to a minority of people. According to this graphic from the PEW Research Center, only three in ten adults say they own a gun (2017), while four in ten say they live in a gun-owning household.
Common sense also says that not all gun owners are potential mass shooters.
Today is the fifth anniversary of my arrival in the United States, and gun violence is now a part of my everyday life. This doesn’t mean that I feel unsafe here. But even if mass shootings make up only a small portion of gun deaths, it feels today like they are getting closer to my children. I’ve had conversations with them that I shouldn’t have to, ones I wouldn’t have had if I were still living in Germany. I’m glad that my oldest child is now in college in Canada. It’s safer there.
America’s gun culture is very scary
Parents have received three emails from the concerned high school since Saturday:
“Very soon we will all have additional training regarding school safety. … The training will involve discussing various scenarios that could occur in schools. … The entrances will have security stationed to monitor traffic and who enters the building.”
It sounds like the principal’s job is nowadays to ensure the students’ safety. Really? Shouldn’t it be the role of authorities, legislators, etc.?
After the Parkland shooting, President Trump proposed arming teachers. Seriously? Is the role of a teacher to educate children or to protect them from active shooters?
How is this supposed to work? Should the very pregnant teacher of my daughter wear a weapon at the side of her baby bump? What about the African-American PE teacher of my son? Are we really sure we can avoid misunderstandings if this teacher is seen with a weapon?
Should we add to the job description of a principal “comfortable in handling staff training at shooting ranges”?
I’m not an overprotective mom. My children were born in Germany and walked to Elementary School every day. It was a 1.5-mile walk that they managed with a group of neighbor children, even in rain or snow. Of course, I worried about accidents or abductions, but the threat posed by guns never crossed my mind.
How do Americans feel about gun control?
Many Americans seem to support some measures to restrict gun access. According to a survey from the PEW Research Center, Americans across the aisle agree with imposing stronger background checks and preventing certain people from buying guns (e.g. those who are mentally ill or on the no-fly list). However, this consensus doesn’t translate into action.
For five years, I’ve observed each outcry after a school shooting (Parkland, Fla.) or a mass shooting (Las Vegas). Calls for action will pop up. Rallies across the country are organized. Some motion may be introduced in Congress. The debate goes back and forth for a while. Then… nothing happens. Until the next shooting, which will occur, as sure as the sun comes up every morning.
I wish I didn’t have to be afraid that it could happen at my children’s school.
