Guns Are Out of Control in America, But There’s No Cure
Published in Huanqiu
(China) on 14 June 2016
by Wang Dehua (link to original)
The attack at an American nightclub caused 50 deaths and wounded 53,* making it the American mass shooting with the most victims. It is a real life version of “First Blood,” shocking the entire world. World leaders spoke up and condemned the terrorist attack. American President Obama ordered a full investigation into the motives for the terrorist attack.
Shootings happen in America every day, with more than 30,000 dying by gunfire every year. The American gun culture is deeply rooted in the country, and people can legally own guns. On the cover of the June 13 New York Daily News, the tagline mocked, “Thanks, NRA. Because of your continued opposition to an assault rifle ban, terrorists like this lunatic can legally buy a killing machine and perpetrate the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.”
While America is the world’s richest country, Americans seem to lack a sense of security, and they need to clutch their guns to sleep. David Keene, the ex-president of the NRA, said, “Our mission is to protect the Second Amendment, and the legal right of Americans to own and carry guns as afforded by the amendment.”**
“While I don’t want your bullets to hit me, I will defend to the death your right to shoot me.”** Guns used to be a symbol of Americans’ defense of their freedom, and were a popular topic for some commentators. Now, guns are America’s cancer. In a society hijacked by interest groups, Obama has vowed to enact gun control but has achieved nothing for it in his eight-year term. Politicians’ promises fall through once again. Americans are drinking the toxic brew they have made, and there is no cure.
Gays and lesbians also need more care in America. The killer’s father, Seddique, claimed his son’s action “had nothing to do with religion.” He said that several months ago, his son saw two men kissing in Miami and was enraged, because his grandson was also there. The killer hated what he saw, so he opened fire with a legally-owned gun to kill them.
The worst mass shooting in America propelled the three deep-seated problems of “terrorist attack,” “gay rights,” and “gun control” to the forefront of American public opinion, and became a key topic in the American presidential election. The shooting is reflecting an America that is fractured: Heterosexual people do not like gay people, people of different religions despise each other, and people of different skin colors are also in conflict. America has lost its function as one big melting pot. The bloody truth is that a multi-plural America is a fallacy.
Donald Trump has defeated all competition to emerge from the election primaries because he said what Americans really think. Americans are seeking to express their anger and resignation with the current stuck political system. They are tired of a faux democracy with the same-old, and they are tired of the fake bravado of the political elite. Why does a fallen political system like this one have to use bayonets and guns to hurt other countries?
Bin Laden and his terrorist organization were cultivated by America to counteract the former USSR. His organization is now flourishing around the globe. The Orlando shooting contains more potential danger than 9/11, which was committed by outside forces, where the American defense was politically acceptable to all, uniting the White House, Congress, and the public. This terrorist attack was committed by an American who was born and raised in America. Defense against this type of attack is difficult. The precedent has made copycats likely.
True mourning is kindly treating one’s citizens with sincerity, and using the right remedy at the right time. This is what America needs to do now: Guns need to be comprehensively controlled to reduce unnecessary deaths, instead of starting fires around the world and hurting oneself too, or the shootings will continue to happen. While this is not the first time, it will definitely not be the last time. The lowered flags and flowing tears should cleanse our souls. When we mourn the lost souls, we should also critique the real reason for their deaths.
*Editor’s note: The actual count from the attack was 49 dead, 53 wounded.
**Editor’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.
Shootings happen in America every day, with more than 30,000 dying by gunfire every year. The American gun culture is deeply rooted in the country, and people can legally own guns. On the cover of the June 13 New York Daily News, the tagline mocked, “Thanks, NRA. Because of your continued opposition to an assault rifle ban, terrorists like this lunatic can legally buy a killing machine and perpetrate the worst mass shooting in U.S. history.”
While America is the world’s richest country, Americans seem to lack a sense of security, and they need to clutch their guns to sleep. David Keene, the ex-president of the NRA, said, “Our mission is to protect the Second Amendment, and the legal right of Americans to own and carry guns as afforded by the amendment.”**
“While I don’t want your bullets to hit me, I will defend to the death your right to shoot me.”** Guns used to be a symbol of Americans’ defense of their freedom, and were a popular topic for some commentators. Now, guns are America’s cancer. In a society hijacked by interest groups, Obama has vowed to enact gun control but has achieved nothing for it in his eight-year term. Politicians’ promises fall through once again. Americans are drinking the toxic brew they have made, and there is no cure.
Gays and lesbians also need more care in America. The killer’s father, Seddique, claimed his son’s action “had nothing to do with religion.” He said that several months ago, his son saw two men kissing in Miami and was enraged, because his grandson was also there. The killer hated what he saw, so he opened fire with a legally-owned gun to kill them.
The worst mass shooting in America propelled the three deep-seated problems of “terrorist attack,” “gay rights,” and “gun control” to the forefront of American public opinion, and became a key topic in the American presidential election. The shooting is reflecting an America that is fractured: Heterosexual people do not like gay people, people of different religions despise each other, and people of different skin colors are also in conflict. America has lost its function as one big melting pot. The bloody truth is that a multi-plural America is a fallacy.
Donald Trump has defeated all competition to emerge from the election primaries because he said what Americans really think. Americans are seeking to express their anger and resignation with the current stuck political system. They are tired of a faux democracy with the same-old, and they are tired of the fake bravado of the political elite. Why does a fallen political system like this one have to use bayonets and guns to hurt other countries?
Bin Laden and his terrorist organization were cultivated by America to counteract the former USSR. His organization is now flourishing around the globe. The Orlando shooting contains more potential danger than 9/11, which was committed by outside forces, where the American defense was politically acceptable to all, uniting the White House, Congress, and the public. This terrorist attack was committed by an American who was born and raised in America. Defense against this type of attack is difficult. The precedent has made copycats likely.
True mourning is kindly treating one’s citizens with sincerity, and using the right remedy at the right time. This is what America needs to do now: Guns need to be comprehensively controlled to reduce unnecessary deaths, instead of starting fires around the world and hurting oneself too, or the shootings will continue to happen. While this is not the first time, it will definitely not be the last time. The lowered flags and flowing tears should cleanse our souls. When we mourn the lost souls, we should also critique the real reason for their deaths.
*Editor’s note: The actual count from the attack was 49 dead, 53 wounded.
**Editor’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.
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