Feeling Safe in the United States

[peruvianskys]

So this, odds are, will likely devolve into a gun control debate. That's not really what I want to talk about, though. I'm more interested into whether people in the United States are really so scared that they feel the need to carry a lethal weapon on their body at all times in order to feel secure. Because to me, knowing that everyone around me could be concealing a gun does not make me feel remotely secure. It makes me feel like I'd prefer to be back in the Sudan, where at least they tended to carry the guns out in the open.

You are totally misunderstanding the American cultural landscape here. But before I try and explain I want to point out that I think our gun culture is dumb and that the "we" here is not me but just in general.

The American obsession with guns doesn't have to do with safety; most people who own guns or carry guns don't really think that they have much need for them. Instead it has a lot to do with our shared cultural history, which you can trace back to our British colonial roots. The Revolutionary War took place in a climate where a lot of individuals were not allowed to own weapons or organize into civilian defense leagues; after the revolution, during which time many Americans used their own personally-obtained weapons in defense of their property and sovereignty, the newly formed American government made it clear in our constitution that the right of individuals to arm themselves against tyrants, criminals, and other oppressors is inalienable. Since then, we've had a culture that is very caught up in the idea of what some people call "eternal vigilance;" the idea that our freedoms and our way of life are not things to be taken for granted but instead things we have to be constantly ready to fight for. This, of course, goes back to the formative years of our Republic, which, unlike most other countries, was born from an active revolution based on the idea that violence, or at least the possible ability to engage in violence, is the surest way to prevent others from controlling you. A gun is just a symbol of this. Americans love guns because having a pistol or a rifle at home is a way for use to manifest and materialize the cultural "pact" we've made that says, if threatened, we fight back.

I think a culture that grows out of a long-running historical dynasty or meandering evolution can't understand the mindset of a culture that grew under oppression and subsequently violently rejected it. Americans own guns and cherish guns because they represent to us the ability to defend our rights, our property, and our very selves from aggressors - which, considering our history as a country that exists due to a violent revolution, makes sense.

Does that explain it?

 

[Lucem712]

Really depends on where you go in the US. I mean, go to Texas, expect some guns. (Though, I've never seen someone just carrying) I don't carry a gun because, well, chances are if someone holds me up and I reach for a gun, my ass is gettin' shot.

 

[bl4ckh4wk64]

Where the hell did you go? I've lived in America all my life and I'm currently living in arguably the most gun-supportive state in America(Texas) and I have yet to walk down the street and see people carrying a gun. That being said, I have never felt safer than when I'm walking down the streets in Texas. The idea of a bunch of people owning guns is one of preventative measures. If everyone has a gun, no one will want to fire the first shot for fear of their life.

 

[Vuavu]

I have lived in America my entire life and I have never seen anything like that... Sounds like a fluke. And a lot of people feel safe here BECAUSE of their guns, not in spite of them I guess

 

[Syzygy23]

So this, odds are, will likely devolve into a gun control debate. That's not really what I want to talk about, though. I'm more interested into whether people in the United States are really so scared that they feel the need to carry a lethal weapon on their body at all times in order to feel secure. Because to me, knowing that everyone around me could be concealing a gun does not make me feel remotely secure. It makes me feel like I'd prefer to be back in the Sudan, where at least they tended to carry the guns out in the open.

You are totally misunderstanding the American cultural landscape here. But before I try and explain I want to point out that I think our gun culture is dumb and that the "we" here is not me but just in general.

The American obsession with guns doesn't have to do with safety; most people who own guns or carry guns don't really think that they have much need for them. Instead it has a lot to do with our shared cultural history, which you can trace back to our British colonial roots. The Revolutionary War took place in a climate where a lot of individuals were not allowed to own weapons or organize into civilian defense leagues; after the revolution, during which time many Americans used their own personally-obtained weapons in defense of their property and sovereignty, the newly formed American government made it clear in our constitution that the right of individuals to arm themselves against tyrants, criminals, and other oppressors is inalienable. Since then, we've had a culture that is very caught up in the idea of what some people call "eternal vigilance;" the idea that our freedoms and our way of life are not things to be taken for granted but instead things we have to be constantly ready to fight for. This, of course, goes back to the formative years of our Republic, which, unlike most other countries, was born from an active revolution based on the idea that violence, or at least the possible ability to engage in violence, is the surest way to prevent others from controlling you. A gun is just a symbol of this. Americans love guns because having a pistol or a rifle at home is a way for use to manifest and materialize the cultural "pact" we've made that says, if threatened, we fight back.

I think a culture that grows out of a long-running historical dynasty or meandering evolution can't understand the mindset of a culture that grew under oppression and subsequently violently rejected it. Americans own guns and cherish guns because they represent to us the ability to defend our rights, our property, and our very selves from aggressors - which, considering our history as a country that exists due to a violent revolution, makes sense.

Does that explain it?

I had this whole long post written up on the subject, but you ninja'd me while managing to keep it much more concise and clear.

 

[Aaron Foltz]

While I was there, browsing the shelves, a guy walked in with a gun. Not to rob the store, in fact, I didn't realize he had it until I heard him talking to the guy at the counter, who I figure must've been some friend of his. He must've only bought it recently, or something, because he took it out and showed it off and then put it away again.

The fact he brandished his firearm in public means that dude isn't respectful of others and doesn't have a clue about the responsibility of owning a device that can take a life. One bad apple to spoil the bunch.

I own a pistol. It's only for going to the shooting range. Yes, I COULD have a CCW but I don't feel comfortable carrying a weapon in public. That's a HUUUUGE responsibility, to know that you have the power to take a human if you have to defend yourself. I don't want that. I'm not that kind of person.

Not all 'Mericans are gun toting nuts. I'm sure we'll ending up cooking you a meal and having a drink before any crazies come a running.

Don't believe media hype, it's all about money and ratings. They aren't looking out for anyone's interest besides their own.

 

[Chemical Alia]

I understand what you mean and it's just one of those things I'll never really understand about the States.

I can understand why some Americans have guns in their home for self defence purposes, but to walk around a city with a firearm on your person?

How crappy is your town if you feel the need to walk around with a gun?

Well, a couple of years ago when I still lived in my hometown (in eastern Pennsylvania), I ducked to the ground to the sound of gunfire on Christmas Eve. Turns out there was a drive-by shooting right next door, and several of the people involved (on the shooting side, if I remember correctly from our security camera) got out of their vehicle and hid in my neighbor's house, which my neighbor later denied to the police. I also had my car totaled by someone else involved in a driving shootout a few years before that right next door (the guy who crashed my car went on to murder a taxi driver and hid his body in the cemetary down the street.) Oh yeah, and my other next-door neighbor was just robbed at gunpoint by two hoodlums a few weeks ago while getting something from the trunk of his car. His wife came out of the house and was yelling at the kids for several minutes, unaware until after the fact that it was a gun they were pointing at her. 0:

So yeah, crazy shit went on, very near to me. It's never made me feel like I needed to carry a weapon, though I would never think of doing something like walking around alone at nighttime in that neighborhood. Even after they tore down the projects behind my block that were the major source of crime. Most of the violence is gang and drug-related, and while that usually tends to only affect other people in gangs, that's certainly not always true in the cases of mistaken identity and stray bullets. Not that carrying a gun would do you much good in those cases.

 

[alandavidson]

OP, some people in the US are afraid/hoping that they will have to use a gun on someone. I own guns, but don't carry them because I don't need to.

Sure, someone could attack me, but it's unlikely, and if it does happen, I'm not too worried about the results.

 

[orangeban]

Guns absolutely terrify me, one of my biggest fears. When I went to DC, I found myself standing waaaay back from every cop I saw, with those massive pistols slung on their belts.

I know that guns are like America's thing, but I hope to God they never become Britain's thing.

 

[nexus]

You're more likely to get killed or maimed in a car wreck. Actually, it's almost inevitable unless you're very aware of your surroundings. At least, compared to being involved in any shooting..

While a considerable amount of people are involved in shootings in the United States, a lot of the "statistics" you hear is propaganda. For instance, suicides involving firearms are often included in the "gun violence" statistics.

Your life is more threatened the moment you go anywhere near a roadway, or ride on a highway/interstate, etc. It's different in urban or suburban areas, but for the majority of the United States.. rural states, "hamlet" type places, guns are not only common, but a way of life.

Also, people "carrying" firearms in public is extremely rare. You need a permit to do so, and not all states allow "open-carry". Plenty of states offer "concealed-carry" permits, and for the most part, people do that just to keep a gun in their car. Even that is rare. If you've ever been convicted with a felony, or have been convicted with a misdemeanor domestic dispute charge, then you can't legally own a firearm. You also cannot own a gun if you've ever been involved in drug charges, and/or have been addicted to an illegal substance. So there is that as well.

 

[Gilhelmi]

As a conceal carry permit holder (and as one who does carry). You only need to be concerned about the criminals who have gun. The criminals who, no matter what laws are passed, will still have guns.

If tomorrow, America throws out the second amendment and ban all ownership and manufacturing. Columbia, Mexico, and remote parts of America and Canada will still make guns and ammo for criminals, Just like the Drug trade.

So I believe that my only recourse too defending myself against the criminals, who have no qualms about shooting me for my wallet (even if I did cooperate), is too carry.

For those interested, I carry a S&W 1911 .45cal, Self-defense ammo (use too be called hollow point).

 

[Gilhelmi]

Guns absolutely terrify me, one of my biggest fears. When I went to DC, I found myself standing waaaay back from every cop I saw, with those massive pistols slung on their belts.

I know that guns are like America's thing, but I hope to God they never become Britain's thing.

I heard every officer in the UK has too carry a firearm now because of the increase in gun violence.

 

[Paradoxrifts]

Gun ownership in Australia is back on the rise [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-12/gun-ownership-on-the-rise/3662504], but I very much doubt that I will ever live to see the day where people over here carry them around in public in the same manner and spirit as some Americans are reported as doing.

 

[direkiller]

Really depends on where you go in the US. I mean, go to Texas, expect some guns. (Though, I've never seen someone just carrying) I don't carry a gun because, well, chances are if someone holds me up and I reach for a gun, my ass is gettin' shot.

Texas oddly dose not have an open carry law

alot of states it's CWP or if they do have open carry laws it is two actions from firing(so safety on and holstered)

 

[BlackStar42]

Guns absolutely terrify me, one of my biggest fears. When I went to DC, I found myself standing waaaay back from every cop I saw, with those massive pistols slung on their belts.

I know that guns are like America's thing, but I hope to God they never become Britain's thing.

I heard every officer in the UK has too carry a firearm now because of the increase in gun violence.

Nope. We do have firearms units, but unless you're in Northern Ireland, your average police officer just has cuffs and a truncheon, maybe a taser as well.

 

[barbzilla]

I understand what you mean and it's just one of those things I'll never really understand about the States.

I can understand why some Americans have guns in their home for self defence purposes, but to walk around a city with a firearm on your person?

How crappy is your town if you feel the need to walk around with a gun?

It depends on the situation. I was a correctional officer, meaning I kept people in prison (prison guard). Well these people do get released and often live in the town you live in. I don't personally carry a firearm outside of work as I was well received by the inmates, but other officers often did. I don't begrudge them their defense nor do I feel threatened by the presence of guns on the streets.

Sometimes it is a needed piece of equipment, it just depends on the situation.

Captcha: I'm batman: No I'm not captcha, but thanks for noticing I don't use firearms when not required.

 

[Robot Number V]

OK, I've lived in America my whole life, that would scare the shit out of me, too. I hope you won't let that color your judgement of the whole country, because that is NOT normal...At least not where I live. And from the rest of this thread, it sounds like it's not normal ANYWHERE.

Seriously, if that happened to me, I would be just as scared as you were.

 

[Fiad]

It isn't so much that they are expecting to get into a firefight, it is that the law allows them to, so they do. Simple as that. Some states/towns have open carry laws that let people carry a firearm so long as that it is clearly visible. And actually these places have the lowest amount of gun violence.

They do it because they can. I am neither for nor against guns, I own two. But only because one was my dad's(Currently doesn't even work) and one was my grandpa's(locked away in a closet).

 

[Arsen]

I am sorry OP, but I find your fears to be both ridiculous and irrational. The people with the guns aren't the threats, it's those who shouldn't own them.

You won't see the second of the two. Those are the people you have to watch out for. Other than that, since you're raised in a culture that doesn't have these kind of things I can perfectly well see why it would alarm you to see something such as that. There are people who do purchase permits to carry guns, concealed and open carry, but still... those aren't the ones you have to look out for, once again.

Even then, I find the debates about our laws to be blown out of proportion, considering how greatly everyone exaggerates them in terms of "how it seems" versus the reality of it.

 

[Risingblade]

I understand what you mean and it's just one of those things I'll never really understand about the States.

I can understand why some Americans have guns in their home for self defence purposes, but to walk around a city with a firearm on your person?

How crappy is your town if you feel the need to walk around with a gun?

It's not the town it's the neighborhood you have to watch out for. Unless it's Detroit stay the fuck away from detroit