Rifles and Pistols at Christmas

Incredible as it may seem, this is what I saw in a Christmas card in which an American congressman, surrounded by his large and idyllic family, was wishing for peace and happiness: all family members, from the congressman to the youngest of the clan, were posing for the camera armed to the teeth. All attempts made to better control the possession of weapons have met with limited success due to strong pressure applied by groups defending to the death the possession of weapons and the interests of a powerful arms industry. The Constitution, from the 18th century, establishes the right of every citizen to bear arms; an inheritance from the days of the Old West. The indiscriminate killings that have occurred do not frighten or stir the consciences of Americans. It is estimated that there are nearly 300 million guns – almost one per person – and the majority of owners are inexperienced users. They do not learn the lessons from their past, which is full of violence. In the name of sacred freedom, they hold fast to their rifles and pistols in the same way they hold a Christmas card.