The ways Americans talk about firearms is full of contradictions, two communication scholars explain – and that powerfully shapes the country’s approach to gun policy.
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Guns in America is a contentious agreement and yes, America does have a right to live how they wish, but that is also said that each American has a right to live their own lives and be conscientious that by doing so do others around them.
True that American history did to a large extent resolve around violence of which the use of guns was a major part. But, in effect the ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ were invaders, in 1620, into a country which was already populated, but being a large country there were many parts which were no way overpopulated and so with much negotiation, maybe, all could have lived peacefully together. But Europeans in that day and maybe currently and not only Europeans, had a desire to explore and, in many instances, did not accept the right of the Native American population to live their lives as they had done for many 100s or even 1000s of years. After all the Native Americans there were only protecting property which they viewed to be theirs, just as we all wish to do currently.
But in many instances the invaders believed they had rights over and above the natives who were already there. In some parts of the world considerations to natives was given and some trust was built, but it is easy to break or lose trust and also then not easy to regain and if done keep. As one action, which may not be viewed well, will invariably lead to a trust breakdown, thus resulting in maybe violent actions by one party or more.
Eventually, the Pilgrim Fathers (settlers) and others who came from Europe wished to move further inland and found the vast areas of land, which appeared to be unoccupied, but the Native Americans were there first, and many did not just reside in one place but moved However they wished to. So many incidents of meeting each other occurred which resulted in many instances pf persons being injured and killed. The Native Americans (natives)generally were only armed with bows and arrows and tomahawks and knives, whereas the settlers were more likely armed with the guns of the day, even though, initially they may have been only single shot rifles or muskets. But the natives were generally experienced fighter and very skilled with the weapons they used, while the settlers may not have been with their weapons. Also usually the natives were in groups where everyone was armed, while the settlers, maybe, at least, initially were not in large numbers and were family units so only a few were armed.
Many massacres occurred on both sides and for the settlers, militaries were formed in 1861 with legislation from the newly formed American Government of 1776. However, the natives were not generally consulted about this process and were forced to move onto them. A substantive few, possibly of the young adults were not content with this and came off them and were then rounded up eventually and returned. But some settlers also didn’t respect the reservations, which they were not legally allowed to enter and certainly not settle in, but many did, showing to the natives, that, again, they were not being respected. So many disputes occurred over many years and the natives were, generally the one to suffer most.
All this is occurring in a country invaded by, initially the Pilgrim Fathers, who were puritanical Christians, but in many instances Christian principles were not extending in contacting with the natives.
The main governing document of America is the American Constitution created by the Founding Fathers written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and in operation since 1789 and in the main this is still substantially followed to this day.
But times have moved on, but in some respects not the Constitution as this is religiously defended by many in America. It was, however, written by middle aged to older white men of the puritan Christian view of that time. However, America, now is a varied mixture of cultures and religions, which this Constitution may well not take into account. Also, now politics play a hand in many areas of America and while, currently The President Joe Biden is a democrat and Congress and the Senate both have a democrat majority, albeit very small.
But the main legal body the Supreme Court as nine justices of which 5 are deemed to be Republicans with the other 4 being Democrats, so could it be said that this court has political leanings to republican views, in their interpretations of the Constitution, and not the views of human Rights as defined today
This could be said of the recent decision of the Court to abolish Roe v Wade re Human Rights of women regarding abortions and maybe Gun rights although a recent amendment to Gun rights has been passed by The Senate
So we have Human Rights v The Constitution, especially for women, non-white ethnicities and areas of sexuality, very worrying times for many in America.
Source: Look at 3 enduring stories Americans tell about guns to understand the debate over them
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