Carnage culture

America’s fascination with guns is part of American culture and America’s apparent, astonishing acceptance that people will continue to die if gun ownership remains a part of the culture. The culture stems from decades of violence forming part of American life including the glorification of gun violence in 100 years of films and more recently violence-based video games.

Every day 150 Americans are shot and 83 (including eight children) are killed by firearms. Every year an average of 30,000 Americans die from firearms. Over 2,000 have died so far in 2018. These statistics should shame everyone in America with a conscience. And they should shame anyone who brings up the outdated Second Amendment.

The question about “gun control” should not be about whether an 18-year-old or 21-one-year-old should have access to military-style weaponry; or whether greater in-depth mental health checks are needed; or whether bump stocks should be banned; or whether teachers should be armed; or whether schools should be fortified like prisons and other, cynical diversionary solutions put forward by both sides of the gun control argument.

It should simply be a question of whether Americans want civilians to have guns at all. What would the great American public say to a referendum: “Should guns be available to American civilians?”

Answer yes or no. If it’s “yes” then go on killing one another. If it’s “no” then change the culture and ban guns altogether for civilians. SIR FRANK N STEIN