Do we really need these guns?

The United States of America holds sacred its bill of rights-- rights endowed to the public regardless of majority opinion. This untouchable institution, among other things, increases our stability as a government and keeps us away from theocracy. But... I'm not writing this to analyze our whole political system. I wouldn't want to bore anybody. There is just something that has always nagged me about our bill of rights.

The 2nd Ammendment, or better known as "the right to bear arms." This right was fundamental to America's formation. The guns were necessary for people to have (back when the strongest weapon was a musket) to prevent the new government from going tyrannous. Times have changed. The second amendment is not viewed in the context from which it should be viewed, but rather has been modernized to demonstrate our freedom. Americans are free! Freedom of speech, freedom or religion, freedom of press, freedom not to incriminate oneself, freedom to trial by jury of peers... and of course the freedom to own guns!

To prove to the rest of the world that we are the freest of the free, we show them by killing each other in large numbers every year: approximately 11,000 every year, 30 every day.

Today, 32 Virginia Tech students and teachers were killed-- shot down in an isolated, indiscriminate act of violence. First shooting took place around 730 AM, and then another shooting in another building two hours later, where 30 people were killed.

Police and administration error? Definitely.
Should this be our focus today? No.

I imagine there will be rationalization of these events as more information is disclosed. What drove the killer to act? Probably the usual reasons. The same reasons given after the Columbine shooting in 1999, most likely. Violent video games, movies, music, and a vulgar culture which pollutes the minds of the youth.

Are these reasons valid? Not so much. There is violence in cultures all over the world, yet only we kill each other in such large numbers every year. What is the difference? We have more guns in this country, many of which people buy specifically for "self-defense" (not hunting or sport) than any other country in all the world. My question: Do we need these guns?

We have a governmental system that protects the rights of so many. We as a nation have welcomed millions of people aspiring for better lives from all over the world. We are the most diverse country. Our country should be giving hope to the hopeless who are aspiring to better themselves and their lives. Instead, our potential will always be tainted by the hue of violence that surrounds us every day.

America. We have so much to offer so many. Do we really need these damn guns? How barbaric we must look to the rest of the world.

I do not deny that there are truly troubled and disturbed people in this country who will commit acts of violence. However, without guns, 32 people would still be alive today. Right to bear arms...an expression of our freedom?

-Billy Glidden