The people of the United States love their guns. It doesn’t really matter which part of the U.S. you’re talking about, there are gun lovers in every state. Sure there may be higher rates of gun ownership in certain regions, but gun owners are literally everywhere. Let’s look at how and why guns are such a big part of American culture.
Why are guns such a big deal in the U.S.?
Our love for guns started out of necessity for them. Exploring and developing new land required weaponry, not only for fighting hostile natives, but also for hunting. The need for firearms intensified as America readied for an all out revolution against Great Britain. Had France not supplied us with arms, we probably wouldn’t have been able to win independence.
In the U.S. Constitution, the Second Amendment guarantees the right of the people to own guns. It even says that a well armed militia is necessary the security of a free state. That means our Founding Fathers not only thought the American people owning a gun was a good idea, but necessary.
After the American Revolution, our love for guns only increased. But it wasn’t so much our love for guns specifically. It was an overall hunger for liberty. Something that was not (and still isn’t) easy to come by.
How are guns such a big deal?
I don’t know about you, but I like statistics. Look at some of the numbers:
Wyoming—as of 2007—had the highest rate of gun ownership in the country at 59.7%. Alaska and Montana are close behind at 57.8% and 57.7% respectively.
According to Us Liberals, Arkansas, Alabama, North and South Dakota, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Alabama all have gun ownership rates over 50%. Interestingly, Texas has a much lower ownership rate at around 36%.
Firearms also benefit the economy as well. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, in 2011, 99,820 people were employed by the U.S. firearms industry; up from just 75,600 in 2008.
Overall, guns are a pretty big deal in America. Even after great tragedy, Americans still refuse to tighten their gun laws. Since the Second Amendment guarantees easy access to guns, more regulation is not very likely through legislative means.