Why are Americans so attached to Guns?

[SS10]

Looking in from the UK, after you guys literally having mass shootings everyday, why are Americans so ideological and attached to their guns? At this points it is just weird lol...

What can be done on a policy level to solve this??

[vladorion]

Armed citizens are an insurance policy against tyranny.

Guns are also a power equalizer. They allow one to protect him/herself against someone who's bigger and stronger.

[Lyubov]

The entire country was originally colonized, pillaged and overtaken with guns. That conqueror don't tread on me bullshit has permeated the culture ever since.  

[mandyjw]

There's a major split between rural America and more urban areas. They are like two different worlds trying to be governed as one, which only works if each side appreciates and listens to either perspective. Some Americans are more afraid of losing guns and live where there is limited law enforcement and there are rabid animals and guns are a much more legitimate means of protection. Beyond this reasoning, is the fear has spun out of control, they are terrified of losing their rights, and authoritarian government and have demonized certain politicians beyond what is rational. Politicians have to be extremely careful what they say about guns because one restriction is quickly seen as "coming for your guns, and all your other rights and your home as well." 

The other side, sees events like this and gets terrified, and so fear battling against fear is at a complete stalemate until the fear itself is dealt with. 

 

[Parththakkar12]

It's Stage Blue conservative tradition. That's all I know really, is that it's traditional and foundational to their culture. In other cultures, it's traditionally seen as bad or immoral to own a gun, like 'Why do you have a gun? Who do you plan to shoot?' etc. questions will be raised.

Edited March 24, 2021 by Parththakkar12

[DocWatts]

In addition to the Libertarian roots of the country, something also to consider is that America is a much more socially fragmented country than somewhere like the UK, where an emotional regime of fear and mistrust is still very much prevalent here.

The modern root of this comes from Social Conditions within the US, where massive levels of inequality and a declining standard of living have imprinted a scarcity mindset on to much of the population. You could see this at play when the pandemic first broke out here, where the supermarket shelves were empty because frightened people were hoarding things like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

Add to this that Bad Actors in government and the media have exacerbated social divisions within the country, with low levels of solidarity and social trust as a result. Gun Manufacturers have contributed to this in intentional ways, as they are in a position to capitalize upon societal trends of paranoia and mistrust.

Edited March 24, 2021 by DocWatts

[fridjonk]

1 hour ago, datamonster said:

It's freedom baby! Why shouldn't I be able to own a tank if I want to? ?‍♂️

Because it's made for war and not civilian use? 

[Boethius]

I've read that other countries (like UK and Australia) would have more lax gun controls if not for the bad example that the USA sets on this issue. So as an American I could ask what are y'all so afraid of?

[SS10]

26 minutes ago, Boethius said:

I've read that other countries (like UK and Australia) would have more lax gun controls if not for the bad example that the USA sets on this issue. So as an American I could ask what are y'all so afraid of?

There's just no need or movement for it in the UK. Legalising Guns now in the UK would just create problems.

[fridjonk]

15 minutes ago, SS10 said:

Legalising Guns now in the UK would just create problems.

You do know the UK is filled with guns as well? 

They just have some brains and made pistols and semi-auto rifles illegal, since there's no reason for anyone to own such guns. 

[Carl-Richard]

Cuz colonization.