Chunk 16: The gun at America’s head.

Former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, has been candid about the biggest regret of his time in office. “I should never have worn it,” he has said, referencing the bulletproof vest he donned in June 1996, while addressing angry locals in Gippsland about his government’s gun buy-back policy.

The speech, of course, came in reaction to the Port Arthur massacre which killed 35 people. “Australians are not violent people,” Howard commented afterwards. Which begs the question: with the amount of Americans who die to gun deaths each year, are they a violent people?

There’s always a lot of talk in the media, particularly in the lead up to US elections, about their controversial Second Amendment (“Joe Biden’s going to take away your guns!”). So it’s worth looking at that amendment more closely, and how it’s gotten them into the situation (mess?) they’re in today.

The Second Amendment reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." 

“A well regulated Militia?” What is that all about?

Well, after slogging it out against the British for seven years to finally earn their independence in 1776, the newly formed United States were naturally worried that someone might try and take it from them.

And they considered one of the biggest threats might come from within: an army made-up of professional, full-time soldiers. Why? Because the person in charge of that army could, should they so desire, rise up and overthrow the people who would be defenceless to fight back.

Accordingly, the framers of the American constitution decided to give every citizen the right to access a weapon; an insurance policy to deter anyone from threatening their new found freedoms. This was to be the basis of the “well regulated militia they spoke of”. And thus, every US citizen was given the right “to keep and bear arms”.

Except, of course, these laws were written in the 18th century and we now live in the 21st century. America today has the largest military fighting force the world has ever known, and a formalised militia. It’s called the US National Guard, a reservist part of the army that can be called upon if and when necessary.

And - this is the important bit - the members of this militia don’t need to own their own weapons. They don’t need to bear arms. Because they’re provided by the government.

From our home girt by sea, this all seems outdated and crazy to me, but perhaps I’m woefully simplifying the issue. Still, there’s no arguing that the NRA (National Rifle Association) - who represent weapons manufacturers - hold enormous sway in US politics, particularly the Republican Party.

Whether or not you agree with the right of an individual to bear arms, let me leave you with this:

In 1791, at the time the Second Amendment was ratified, the most common weapon in the US was a musket. It had a one-round magazine capacity and, in the hands of a skilled operator, could fire three effective rounds per minute.

In 2020, the best-selling weapon in the US is a P320 Full-Size semi-automatic pistol, with a 17-round cartridge that is promoted as having “3-point takedown and unmatched modularity to fit any shooter and any situation”.

To which I say, God bless Australia.