Quote:
Originally Posted by GoGo2
May be the Americans have to answer that. I think it has something to do with that when they fled Europe a long time ago, they were tired of rules, especially those from catholic countries (Poland, half of Germany and "the rest of the countries "down to" the Mediterranean Sea coast at the map, except Greece which is and was orthodox).
I don't say that "free guns for everybody" is a religious thing, but that all were fleeing from something. In the Northern protestant countries people were poor. Their masters (the farmers that owned land) could do whatever they wanted with them. They could be beaten if they did not work hard enough. Some fled because of wanting an adventure, though.
I think that freedom from authorities are very important for many Americans. They want the freedom to chose. While others have come to the conclusion that: "Past is past. We live in a modern society now and don't need those weapons".
Just a few thoughts, but may be an the Americans have to answer your question more fully. I think it has to do with different traditions. Where I live in Europe people have to have a license to own a gun. Those who misuse the license or don't have the weapon in a locked closet when not in use can lose their license.
Just as the weapon lobby in the USA feel they are right, we feel that we are right as well. Of course one needs a license to own a weapon! We are talking about two different thought-groups, two different reference groups ... What is normal for the one group, is not seen as normal for the other group.
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I am an American but can only speak as a central New Jerseyan. As of now, no one in New Jersey is supposed to be carrying a firearm on them, even concealed, unless they are heading to or in the process of hunting an animal for which they have a license to hunt or have some other special use permit. For this reason, I was generally never that worried about anyone "packing heat with the intent of possible murder". Obviously there are criminals that do, but they are thankfully not that common. It does seem the case that the supreme court is trying to "shoot holes" in some of New Jersey's restrictions. That is NOT appreciated!
New Jersey is generally a fairly liberal state in the most densely populated parts, but with some more moderate conservatives, and a very small number of more hard right types mostly in the north and south. Most New Jerseyans like common sense gun control and there is more of it than in conservative-leaning states.
Honestly, I hope it won't get to the point where state residents avoid venturing beyond the borders of their desired influences. It would be a shame if "them and us" attitudes further threaten the "United" part of the United States of America.
As for the gun obsession in other parts of the US, it might be worth a read to see
Gun culture in the United States - Wikipedia In this you'll see that New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Hawaii have the lowest household gun ownership rates. Thank goodness!
It wasn't guns that contributed to my wanting to move to Europe. It was more the struggle to keep up with the high cost of living in New Jersey, the high cost of health and drug coverage, and the general hostility/hate that is brewing in other parts of the country. Yes, there are cheaper places to live in the US than central New Jersey, but they aren't ones I wanted to move to more than where I recently did (Czechia). It's a real shame! I do love my country. Or sadly, perhaps it's more accurate to say that I love central New Jersey and Bucks County Pennsylvania. After traveling around the US, I found there are some beautiful places with some great people, but they didn't feel like home to me.
Anyways, what the heck would a gun do to improve my life? It doesn't show me love or friendship. It doesn't help me live better, financially. It doesn't keep me well, mentally and physically. It doesn't improve the roads so they don't have traffic jams or pot holes. To me, guns are just a very stupid and dangerous thing that's very freakily worshiped by a good portion of the US population. What a pity! There are much higher priorities even for them, for life improvement, and yet it seems to be one of one political parties biggest passions...or rather, a way of deflection.