Are guns truly equivalent to safety in the United States?

Possession of guns is something that in some areas of America is considered the norm,
because of the idea of the “American man” and the Second Amendment. Former Prime Minister
of Australia, John Howard, explains “there is a near religious fervor about protecting the right of
Americans to have their guns”.[1] The most noticeable difference on gun habits is shown with
police attire – and as of recent events in the United States, such as the case of Michael Brown, it
poses the question of whether America should adapt to the gun less policemen as like the
British. The mixture of gun policy, race and police behavior currently being debated in the
United States must be paid attention to and requires considerations to be made regarding gun
culture.

While attending the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph, the police presence
was undeniable due to the significant political and social leaders in attendance, such as members
of the Royal family and Prime Minister David Cameron. Upon entering the street, we were
required to go through security for this very reason. I was expecting a high stress, aggressive
search that is so often the case in the United States. Instead, it was calm, the policemen and
women were very friendly and the atmosphere was less intimidating. It made me realize that in
Britain police are more approachable. I have asked police for directions before, something I am
not quite sure I would do in America. I wonder if the reason for this is because of not seeing a
gun as a part of the uniform, and knowing that it is not there. It is not to say that in America I am
afraid of policemen because of their guns, but it does impose a different demeanor knowing they
are armed. The public opinion on the gun use of policemen is a fervent topic in the United States
at the moment. One of the reasons for this is the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson,
Missouri. Michael Brown was an 18 year old who was shot numerous times and ultimately killed
by police officer Darren Wilson. The case has brought about numerous discussions, from race to
the frequency of police officers shooting suspects.

Race was discussed because of Michael Brown being black, while Darren Wilson is
white. Heightened race tensions are prevalent in Ferguson because although 2/3rds of the
population are black, there are only three black police officers. Due to the inconsistencies in
describing what occurred the night Michael Brown was shot, there has been growing fear among
black men in Ferguson, which has resulted in an increase in gun purchases.[2] This is the exact
opposite of why guns became more popular in the United States in the first place. The sale of
guns increased following the emancipation of slaves in 1833, because of white fear of slaves
attacking them. Activists in the protests explain, “We’re going to take our anger out on the
people who have failed us”.[3] It is clear that in Ferguson, for many of the population, the police
are no longer seen as a form of protection – which is a major concern and demands attention. It is
impossible to overlook the racial tensions that are playing a role in the Ferguson protests. Race is
not as glaring in Britain as it is in the United States, because of the more urban lifestyle of
requiring different races to live very close to each other. As a result, you are four times more
likely to have a neighbor of a different ethnicity. Meanwhile, the United States is still physically
divided by race, which can contribute to a psychological separation of race and racial beliefs.

The differences in police shootings in Britain and the United States is astounding. In
Britain last year, British police officers fired their weapons three times, with no people fatally
shot. This statistic was starkly contrasted to Albuquerque, New Mexico where in four years the
police force had shot and killed 23 civilians.[4] This is concerning, and forces the question to be
asked – how many people ought to be killed by guns in order to change legislation on gun
ownership? The number of shootings in America compared to shootings that are significantly
less frequent in Europe demands attention and requires changes to be made in United States
legislature. Seeing guns as a cornerstone of American personality should not be a source of
pride, as some Americans can see it.