Exploring the Roots of Americas Gun Culture and Mass Shootings

Abstract

Gun Culture One can argue gun culture is a system of living whereby a society consciously and unconsciously interacts with firearms. In Defining gun culture from the American perspective, one can say that gun culture in America refers to the way the Americans, both individuals and institutions interact with firearms attributed to their beliefs on the legality of gun ownership for all with limited restrictions (DeFoster and Swalve, 2018). It is a culture that encompasses beliefs, behaviors and attitudes towards firearms and their application and usage by ordinary Americans/civilians. On the other hand, a mass shooting refers to firearm violence conducted by multiple victims. In the United States, mass shootings are firearm-related violence incidents that involve various victims, resulting in at least four casualties. Due to the protection offered on the Second Amendment regarding gun ownership within America, gun access becomes an easy task for most Americans, which enhance optional uses for the same. According to Fisher and Keller (2017), the United States registered vast numbers of mass shootings compared to other nations attributed to the legality of gun ownership amongst Americans, which translates to the effects of gun culture embraced within this great nation. The United States has over 250 million guns compared to other countries whose gun concentrations remain under 50 million. In short, America owns 42% of the world's Guns (Fisher and Keller, 2017). Paying close attention to such a high number of gun availability within the United States, such figures translates to vast numbers of gun owners amongst Americans. The availability and accessibility of guns in most American hands leads them to use such firearms as a means of protection or violence in case any differences or need for gun use emerges. In most instances, mass shootings happen amongst gun owners and users, which define the origin of high numbers of gun killings within America. Another reason for increased mass shootings in America is gun ownership right that remains protected by and in the American Constitution. Based on the Second Amendment, Americans have the right...