An aside 1: My opinion on guns in the USA

When I started this blog, I said I would never be able to keep my mouth shut about a ton of other things unrelated to running. So, I will start a series of 'asides'. I am British but lived in the South of the US for 4 years (North Carolina). Before going to the USA, I assumed that the gun toting, abortion hating, evangelicals as presented in European news were on the fringe of US culture and opinions. Boy, was I in for a surprise....

My first few weeks in NC were literally stunning. I found guns and God everywhere. I was truly terrified. But as time went on I made some good friendships with the pro-God and gun brigade. And whilst I could never believe their beliefs or share their interpretation of the world, I did make some breakthroughs in understanding.

Here's what I learnt about the pro-gun lobby....many people carry guns and concealed weapons because they believe it to be part of their civic duty. They have a strong sense that if found at a scene of a crime that they could protect the 'good' guys from the 'bad'. This has nothing to do with a lack of faith in the police, the legal system or government or a desire to be a vigilante superhero (although on the 'fringe' it does). It is a simple, rational wish of an individual in a vastly rural country to be prepared to do the 'right' thing as an American citizen.

I am strongly anti-guns and I am used to their strict regulation.

I do not agree with the NRA proclamations that it's not 'guns that kill, but people'. Using that logic....it's not drugs that kill people...., it's not atomic bombs that kill people....and on and on.

I do not agree with the Constitutional argument either of the right to form a militia. Its contradictory to be a Constitutionalist and yet believe that the US Constitutionally defined and democratically elected government could so quickly unravel and turn on the American population in a way that would require a popular militia to form. If you really believe this then you must equally believe there are much more serious flaws with the Constitution than the 2nd Amendment.

I do not see the merits in the argument that by banning guns or regulating gun ownership more rigourously that you drive the trade underground. On this argument, drugs, alcohol...actually nothing should be regulated. Including hunting, which ironically seemed to be more regulated in NC than actual gun ownership.

I think the discourse on guns in the US would be much more palatable to observe, if the anti-gun lobby (which I agree with) were to recognise the rational reasons why gun culture is so prolific in much of the US. The debate is actually about different perceptions of what is required to be a good citizen and participant in American society.