America's weapons problem: civil rights against public security

Blood-chilling news came out of the U.S. recently: police shot a 13 year old with a toy gun in his hand. It coincided with another incident where a 5 year old shot himself, using a weapon belonging to his babysitter. Generally, among the countries with no military hostility on its territory, the U.S. ranks first with the highest number of fatalities inflicted by the arms, owned by the police and private individuals. According to estimates, some 32000 people are killed by the firearms in the U.S. annually, and around 400 of those deaths are committed by the law enforcement officials. It is also estimated that by 2015, the firearms inflicted mortalities in the U.S would exceed the number of traffic accident victims ("American gun use is out of control. Shouldn’t the world intervene?" / www.theguardian.com, 21 September 2013). America also ranks first based on the civilian owned firearms per capita (United States – Gun Facts, Figures and the Law / www.gunpolicy.org).

Owning a firearm is viewed as the key indicator of human rights and freedoms, as well as ensuring individual and family safety. In the meantime, attitude towards the firearms in the American society is different from others. It has to do with the unique history of the nation and peculiarities of its present legal system. Right to own a firearm is stipulated by the 2nd out of 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, made to the Constitution in 1791 (The Bill of Right/ www.archives.org). Albeit weapon ownership was a characteristic feature of the Anglo-Saxon societies, except the U.S., it eventually was either obliterated or significantly restricted.

Engrained in law and public opinion, tradition of gun ownership is also historically associated with altercations occurring between Americans and indigenous Indian population, during the expansion towards the West and the South in the past centuries. It is not accidental that "gun culture" or gun attachment is more ossified with the relatively conservative Western and Southern states. ("Gun Culture an integral Part of United States History"/ www.huffingtonpost.com, 19 December, 2012).

Nevertheless, firearms acquired by citizens for self-defense sometimes threaten innocent lives. Public spaces and schools oftentimes becoming shooting scenes have sparked extensive debate among the general public and political elite on the issue of restricting firearms sale. Incumbent President Barack Obama spearheads the forces opposing acquisition of firearms by dangerous or mentally challenged individuals. However, he is confronted by the country’s mighty gun lobby, profound influence of firearms manufacturing companies upon government circles and an overwhelming sentiment within the society in favor of upholding constitutional rights with respect to gun ownership.

As we have mentioned earlier, age of Americans fighting aborigines is something of the past, whereas the country has a comprehensive and robust law enforcement system in place to combat crime that has different roots. Thus, it begs the question as to why in the country with such an advanced law enforcement system and strong police citizens still distrust the former and are more prone to ensuring their own security.

Indeed, one of the reasons is excessively powerful police. The point is, unlike most countries, police in the U.S. enjoys vast authority. Even the slightest sign of disrespect or indifference on any person’s part towards the police may entail arrest while suspicious or aggressive behavior or attempt to resist the police may lead to lethal consequences caused by police firearm. Information and videos to confirm the allegation are in abundance on the internet.

It is the perception of police being the advocates of the state that underlies the distrust of the citizens towards the law enforcement system. The commonly spread idea among the general population is that a firearm ownership is a tool to protect one’s individual civil and political liberties against the incursion of the state.

According to "Rasmussen" survey center, some 65% of Americans believe that gun ownership right is a must for self-protection against tyranny. Certainly, such a posture is not viewed unequivocally in the country and is subject to extensive debate (Why the "Citizen Militia" Theory is the Worst Pro-Gun Argument Ever / www.theatlantic.com, 31 January 2013). Survey results reveal such a reality that the U.S. citizens are forever cautious of excess power of the state and trampling of constitutional principles and civil freedoms.

Harsh public reaction to Washington’s Syria policy exposed mounting resentment with America’s aggressive and belligerent foreign policy. On the domestic front, people are feeling under stringent control by the police in their daily lives while Edward Snowden’s revelations exposed National Security Agency keeping a watchful eye in the virtual world as well. Not only it is heartbreaking for Americans – citizens of the freest country in the world, but it also instills fear of obliteration of liberal values. On the other hand, dissatisfaction with government’s social, economic and fiscal policies only solidifies self-protection instinct.

The existence of such a problem or its growing urgency increases attachment to guns in America. It is not accidental that number of private military-style associations in America (permitted by law) comprised of acting duty military personnel, veterans and volunteer civilians has grown dramatically and now stands at past 500. Being beyond the governments reach, these associations form militias and provide military training to members that lack combat experience. Objective of civilian militia is to prepare for unconstitutional actions of the state and uphold civil rights against the establishment of total control over the people (The truth behind America’s "civilian militias" / www.telegraph.co.uk, 19 August, 2010).

Events in some countries of the Middle East reveal dangerous and tragic consequences when a displeased stratum of a given society is provided with arms from abroad. In this regard, there is quite a sensitive situation in the U.S. where most households are in the possession of firearms and most states have civilian militias on the ground. A possible solution - banning firearms would contradict the letter of the constitution and run counter to the interests of firearms manufacturers and citizens that advocate the right of gun ownership.

Such a ban may trigger illegal gun production and sales, and also provoke the very militias to act in defense of the constitution. Therefore, bolstering political, economic and social environment enabling people to feel free, prosperous and safe, and persuading the nation that America still strides down the path set by forefathers could be the best panacea.

Hulya Mammadli