In America, guns are the norm, not the exception. There are a lot of reasons for this, but when one peels the proverbial onion, one finds Fox News, Republican politicians, and the gun lobby.
The influence of the gun lobby in the United States, particularly in relation to efforts by gun manufacturers and the role of politicians and media outlets, is significant.
Gun rights groups, led by the National Rifle Association (NRA), have invested heavily in lobbying efforts. From 1998 to 2020, pro-gun groups paid an extraordinary $171.9 million in lobbying to directly affect legislation. The NRA alone paid over $63.8 million in that category.
Think about that for a moment:
One organization paid $63.8 million to put guns into the hands of every American.
This insane lobbying has been directed toward both supporting pro-gun candidates and influencing public opinion on firearms-related issues. The NRA has spent large amounts on outside spending in support of political candidates, notably $50 million in 2016 to support Donald Trump and six Republican Senate candidates. Trump!
This spending included an unbelievable number of TV ads in key swing states during the election period. The election period in the US, by the way, begins when one election ends. US officeholders, particularly at the national level, never stop running for re-election.
The gun lobby’s influence is not limited to direct contributions; it also stems from the popularity and grassroots support of their missions, as evidenced by the NRA’s roughly 4.9 million members. There are some who consider the NRA a terrorist-supporting organization. I am one of them.
The role of media outlets like Fox News in shaping public opinion on gun ownership and use is a significant factor. By presenting narratives that emphasize the need for self-defense against perceived but unsubstantiated threats, these outlets contribute to a climate of fear, potentially influencing people to buy firearms for protection.
This peculiar aspect of media influence is complex and involves the interplay of various factors, including political viewpoints, public sentiment, and cultural attitudes toward guns and safety. Public health is not taken into consideration.
In summary, the gun lobby in the U.S., backed by gun manufacturers, exerts significant influence through lobbying and political contributions, mainly supporting Republican candidates. This influence is bolstered by a strong support base among gun rights advocates.
The media’s role in shaping public perceptions about gun ownership and safety also contributes to the broader debate and policies surrounding firearms in the U.S.
No amount of dead children, concert-goers, dedicated employees, or innocent shoppers is going to change the firearms culture in the United States. Here, if you don’t own a gun, people want to know why.
The reality is that most people have no idea how to use a gun, and in some states, like Florida and Texas, anyone can buy and carry a weapon open or concealed. No training is necessary. One state even allows blind people to buy guns.
The Second Amendment to the US Constitution, America’s ruling instrument, written by the nation’s Founding Fathers, hampers the courts. Here it is in its original wording:
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, a well-armed and well-regulated militia being the best security of a free country.
The ‘Founding Fathers’ depicted as wise old statesmen actually weren’t. Most were younger than 40 in 1776, with several qualifying as Founding Teenagers or Twentysomethings. And though the average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 44, more than a dozen of them were 35 or younger.
In conclusion, it’s rather surprising we don’t have more mass shootings, given the ready availability of firearms. I suspect that will change.
From the Pew Research Center:
About eight in ten U.S. murders in 2021–20,958 out of 26,031, or 81% — involved a firearm. That marked the highest percentage since 1968, the earliest year the CDC has online records. More than half of all suicides in 2021–26,328 out of 48,183, or 55% — also involved a gun, the highest percentage since 2001.
About the Author: Professor Mike spent a lifetime in law enforcement with a stretch in US Army intelligence. He served as a police officer, prosecutor’s investigator and consultant to the Department of Corrections. He has a deep understanding of the intricacies of the justice system and has been instrumental in shaping effective law enforcement strategies and correctional policies. He teaches criminal justice at a well-known university, blending practical expertise with academic knowledge from advanced degrees in Justice Studies and Human Services.