In the US, mass shootings are tragic. But what is even more tragic is that they have become commonplace and are often daily occurrences. Each shooting blends into the next meaning the shock factor lessens each time. This is a harrowing fact and US citizens seriously need to re-evaluate whether this is what they want their legacy to be.
The biggest problem of gun violence in when US citizens start to expect gun violence as part of the American way of life. They seem to have resigned themselves to the fact that they are under threat instead of dealing with the problem which is endangering innocent people and shortening lives.
So-called visionary Elon Musk has tailored his future vision of American transport to be bulletproof which he thinks makes the vehicle “badass” and “super cool”. Whether intentionally or not, the message Musk is advocating is that expecting gun violence is cool which is dangerous message to put out there.
Getting involved in high-speed chases and firing gun shots from a moving vehicle has become sensationalised by the film, television and gaming industry. This has led some US citizens to think violence is a normal part of life and necessary. Violence should never be expected. What some people often forget is that violence in film, television and in games is not real. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch too far to say that gun violence is an act of self-harm.
America self-proclaims itself to be “the home of the brave”. However, being brave is not the ability to pull a trigger – any coward can easily do that. Being brave does not mean someone goes looking for violence. But, Musk’s new pick-up truck almost encourages gun violence by his bulletproof Cybertruck can cope with being fired at.
Instead, of building bullet-proof cars to put a bandage on gun violence, measures should be put in place to limit gun violence, not find ways to adapt to it. No-one in a so-called “free” country should expect gun-violence. It is not normal. It is fatal.
Enough is enough. It takes less than one second to release a trigger, but a lifetime for families and friends to recover from their loss. Experiencing gun violence put a major strain on people’s bodies, mentally and physically. It is not surprising that mental health issues in the US are the highest in the world.
It’s naïve to think that gun violence in America will change overnight, but the rest of the world are wondering what else it will take. How many more school children will be murdered? How many people will be killed because of their race or the colour of their skin?
There there are many good Americans who have not expected gun violence to become the new norm. It is up to them to lead the way and reclaim America as “the land of the free” and “the home of the brave”.
