Every time there is a mass shooting, the debate surrounding guns tends to flare up in America. The abuse of guns has been a serious problem in the US all along, but why doesn’t the US government just dismiss owning guns privately?

The right to own a gun and defend oneself is central to American society. As early as the1600s, when the first Europeans set foot on the continent of North America, they had to face a lot of dangers. They could only rely on themselves. Therefore, guns played a significant role in self-defense. Guns were also important in American’s Independent War and the Civil War.

Secondly, the American founding fathers believed that gun ownership was necessary for a truly free country. If the government distrusts the people and disarms them, then that government no longer represents the people. The Second Amendment to the US Constitution specifies that the American people cannot be deprived of the “right to keep and bear arms.” So the sale and purchase of firearms are legal in the United States according to law.

The importance of guns is also derived from the role of hunting in American culture. In the nation’s early years, hunting was essential for food and shelter. Today, guns are a vital part of hunting, which remains very popular as both a sport and a way of life in many parts of the country. People spend time with friends, sharing the pleasure that the sport brings.

For those reasons, when critics say guns mean violence, they miss a large part of the picture, and they misrepresent the complex nature of America’s diverse gun culture. Most people who own guns privately, are actually part of the gun culture. They have rational and thoughtful reasons to own and use guns.