The gun mania...

Disclaimer Note: I have not been in U.S.A, I know about the U.S only from movies, news and some of my friends there. Hence, there is a good chance that whatever I am writing is based on ignorance, so continue reading with that in mind.

Last weekend, just like the news shocked anyone else, I too was in a state of horror learning the mass massacre/shooting of the kids (aged 5-10) by Lanza (a 20 year old guy). For those who are not aware, Lanza, armed with a couple of guns, walked into a school, and shot dead 20 kids and 6 adults. 

When I had a chat with one of my friend in the U.S, he said people there were very insecure. It was possible for anyone to come over and knock your door at night, threaten/kill you and walk away with your possessions. He was almost mugged by a guy at 6:30 pm in the town. It could be that insecurity that drives them to possess guns, for self-defense, for protecting themselves, and their family. And according to him, these are not some individual incidents, and they are common in many parts of the U.S.

Now, there are two probable solutions possible here. One, make guns legal, and let the citizens use it. Two, enact tougher and stricter laws to prevent mugging/theft/small crimes/drug abuse/alcohol abuse etc. U.S.A went with the first one. Possession of guns is legal, and people can use guns for self-defense according to the second amendment (even if the intention was not self defense when the amendment was made). The flip side is what you see nowadays, a new shooting incident every 2 months or so.

Why not the second choice? Why not enact tough laws to prevent small mishaps? For that, one might need to look into the reason causing mugging and thefts. Or may be ask ourselves the question, “What would make me steal?”. Nothing, but economic problem. We do not have money, our family is dependent on us, we do not have a job, we cannot earn, and we have to provide bread for our family. Yes, that can make us steal.  And probably, that is what that makes them steal too. Now, why is it hard to find a job and earn in the U.S?

Simply put, America is a country ruled by the corporate. The big industries of oil, weapon, banks and retail decides “what next” (more or less true). And in retail, who is bigger than the “Wal-Mart”? They have driven out every possible small scale and medium scale businesses. A good majority of these small businessmen and their employees turn jobless, and according to my friend, there are quite a lot Americans who find it difficult to get a job. 

My friend told me about a ridiculous practice that exists in U.S - price-matching. He receives a number of ad-posters via mail, and he can check that and find out the lowest price for every item. He can go to Wal-Mart with that, and they will give you the item for that lowest price. Now, do you think, any small-scale or medium-scale business can survive there, when you have a “Wal-Mart” which provides all the goods at the least possible price? I remember reading an article in "The Hindu" by Sainath, which stated that the size of onions in U.S is controlled by Wal-Mart. They make the onion size bigger so that people throw away after using the first half, and they come sooner for the next purchase. The article was mainly about the decline of the small family owned farms in U.S.

Now, if you think the lawmakers are going to do anything against the corporate, you can refer the source of the biggest fund for election campaign for both the parties. That will answer your question beyond doubt. If you ask me, I do not know a solution here, either that a strong leader should emerge, else undoubtedly, America is heading towards a revolution, sooner or later.

Coming back to the mass killings, people who tend to do these mass killings may be driven by mental issues. Either that they are born with mental issues, or society turns them insane. It might be that they do not get enough attention from family or friends because their character/personality/looks is different. The social stigma associated could probably cause depression, and drive them towards mental illness. As important as it is for the state to provide better mental health care institutes, it is important for the rest of the society to accept them as one amongst us, and act in a non-prejudiced way. Along with that, the media and the entertainment industry also need to evolve. Glorifying wars, killings, villains and violence plays an important role in shaping the young minds. When the state via media provides a “reason” for war which kills millions, the young can easily imbibe on it, and find a reason for killing a few.

Now, coming back to guns, I am completely against making guns legal. Even if a person encounters economic/social/mental problems, he can shoot and kill people only if he carries a gun. Making guns legal facilitates that.  Of course, one can obtain guns illegally and use them, but that is another story, which can again be prevented with tougher laws. Just the day before the Newtown incident, a guy in China stabbed a few school children. A horrendous incident, but still in light of the Newtown incident, does not the “stabbing” sound better? Of course, a root cause analysis of the problem is important, improvement of economic and social conditions, improvement of mental healthcare facilities, all are good, and will do well in the long run. But, what can be done to prevent occurrence of such incidents in the near future? Well, the answer is simple, ban guns, why do ordinary citizens need guns? Don't the guns cause more harm than help? Do the guns really help you when you are in a dangerous situation? Or are the guns just an illusion of safety?

People abroad say it is very dangerous to travel to India. India is insecure, you may be robbed, you will encounter eve-teasing etc etc. True, I am not denying the existence of robbery or eve-teasing in India. But, even with all this, we learn to live without guns. Till date, parents in India can send kids to school without the tension of them getting shot. Yes, there is a lot of difference between 4000 year old India and 250 year old “evolving” America. But still, some facts are facts.

May be the Newtown shooting and the tiny smiling faces will remain etched in our memories forever. Or, will it? Just like Newtown made Oregon or Colorado “easily forgotten", it might be only a matter of time till another mass massacre makes this one look small.