With the Trump Administration being likely to lessen, rather than restrict guns in America, I would like to take us back to a defining moment in UK history that America should learn from.
What do you think of when you hear the name “Dunblane”? Many sports fans may know it as the hometown of the Tennis World No.1 Andy Murray. However, more infamously, Dunblane is the site of a mass shooting.
Almost 21 years ago Thomas Hamilton entered a school gymnasium where he opened fire on children no older than 6 years old. This happened in the small town of Dunblane in Scotland. A tragic event that has shaped the gun laws in the U.K. So the only question to be asked is, despite the U.S. being no stranger to mass shootings, why haven’t they followed the U.K.’s example?
Nowadays, owning a gun in the U.K. is virtually unheard of. And it could be argued that this is a direct result of the Dunblane massacre. The road to the Britain I live in today stared when the parents of the Dunblane victims started a petition asking the Government to change the laws regarding guns. This petition received over 705,000 signatures and made the way for new laws restricting the ownership of firearms.
In Britain today owning a gun is almost completely illegal. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the U.K. has a significantly lower amount of gun related homicides. In comparison to America, who has the highest rate. Now I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t the gun debate old news? It’s been topical for decades and those who are passionate about their guns are really passionate. It’s almost seems impossible to change their minds. Now look, I know America isn’t very likely to outlaw guns. You guys hold onto them like a baby and its bottle, but clearly any rational person can see the benefits of restricting who can access guns.
Since the Dunblane massacre, there has been only been two other notable massacres in the U.K. So clearly restrictions on guns have worked. Now let’s look at Sandy Hook. Very similar shooting, in a very similar country, but very different gun laws. Since Sandy Hook 1,279 mass shooting have took place. Not only is this ridiculous, but it’s also terrifying. It’s terrifying because despite the amount of people who have died, America just can’t let go of their guns. You’d think by now they’d drop the “freedom” argument and say “Hey this is an issue. Let’s do something.” But when it comes to America and guns, it’s all talk and no action.
So how did America’s fascination with guns begin? Well, it’s starts with America becoming independent from Britain. Many American feared the British returning and wanted a way to protect themselves. So they were allowed guns. However, last time I checked, Britain no longer has any plans to invade America so why are guns still so easily accessible. It’s getting to the point when guns are looked on as essential. They. Are. Not.
When I came to Florida last June, it was not my first time in America, but it was my siblings’ first time. I’ll never forget the look on their faces as they saw a massive billboard on the highway of a woman, half naked, and a machine gun draped across her. It’s safe to say they had never seen anything like that before. Some Americans who have probably been surrounded by the fantasy of guns all their life, may find it hard to imagine a world where guns are just not a thing. I think the only people who can clearly see America’s pure madness with guns, is tourists.
Many supporters of “guns for all” state that they “need to protect themselves,” but I have used the Dunblane massacre as a specific example for a reason. I’m sure there were people back then who opposed tighter restrictions on guns and used this very excuse, but it’s hard to argue with the facts. As I previously mentioned there has only been two mass shootings since Dunblane. Two! And people still argue that getting rid of guns will only leave Americans more vulnerable.
So with Trumps administration being very Pro Gun, I am begging his opposers and even his supporters to rally behind restricting who can have a gun. As many Trump supporters have stated in justification of the Muslim ban, coming to America is a privilege, not a right. So I’m sure we’ll see them say the same on guns. Owning a gun is a privilege (a flawed one at that), not a right.
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