Summary

The article discusses the tragic death of Adam Toledo, a thirteen-year-old who was shot by the police, and critically examines the role of the Second Amendment and gun ownership in America's prevalent gun violence and police shootings.

Abstract

The author reflects on the recent police shooting of Adam Toledo, a minor, and questions the widespread availability and use of guns in American society. The piece contrasts the frequency of police shootings in the United States with the rarity of such incidents in the United Kingdom and other European countries, attributing this difference to stricter gun laws abroad. It suggests that until the U.S. addresses its gun culture and implements more stringent gun control measures, police shootings and other forms of gun violence will persist. The author argues that the Second Amendment is misinterpreted by those who believe guns make them safer, despite the daily loss of life due to gun violence.

Opinions

The author believes that the presence of guns in American communities is the underlying issue that leads to police shootings and mass shootings.
They argue that guns are unnecessary in civilian life and are solely meant for warfare.
The piece criticizes the idea that police officers need to be armed due to the high rate of gun ownership among Americans.
It is suggested that improved police training and diversity will not effectively reduce police shootings without addressing the availability of guns.
The author points out the stark difference in police shootings between the U.S. and the UK, emphasizing the effectiveness of strict gun laws in reducing such incidents.
The author expresses a personal perspective, having lived in multiple European countries without experiencing gun violence, and questions the need for guns when knife crime is also a concern but not as prevalent or deadly.
The article concludes with a sense of resignation that the deep-rooted attachment to the Second Amendment in America may prevent significant progress on gun control within the author's lifetime.

Society | Culture

Adam Toledo: When Will America Learn?

Everyone’s focus is yet again on another police shooting. Mine is on the Second Amendment.

Another tragic death. This time a kid. Just thirteen years old. American is again in mourning.

Everyone will begin talking about police brutality and the role race played in this again. That’s fine, discuss it. It’s worthwhile and requires attention. I’m not here to do that. I’m here to address the elephant in the room.

What the hell was a thirteen-year-old doing with a gun?

In fact, why does anyone need a gun?

Guns are for war. They have no role in any community.

Police shootings will continue as long as there are guns on the street. Mass shootings will continue as long as mentally ill people have access to firearms. Shootings in general will continue as long as they are easily purchasable.

So many Americans keep screaming about police shootings, and you should be. It’s not normal for police to shoot civilians, but until you get rid of your guns, you will not feasibly be able to demilitarise your police force. You can improve training, educate, employ more police officers from ethnic minorities. You can go all out and invest as much time, effort and money into the police as you want and you should their training looks lacking.

None of that matters, though. Your police officers will always behave differently from mine. The police officers in my neighbourhood know that the chances of me having a gun are slim. So they never draw theirs (in the UK they don’t even have them). They know this because we have strict gun laws.

It’s incredibly rare for police to shoot anyone in Britain. In 2016 six people were fatally shot by British police and this is high. In 2012 and 2013 it was zero, I repeat ZERO. If that doesn’t convince you that your guns are the problem, then I don’t know what will.

Come on America, wake up!

Whereas American police have to behave completely differently, the threat of gun violence is high. Approximately 40% of Americans own guns or live with someone who does. This means that almost half the people that American police interact with could be armed.

Take it from me, a person who has lived in four European states, this stuff doesn’t happen. Sure, once in a blue moon someone gets hold of a gun and shots someone, but it isn’t common, it’s not a major problem of our society. We don’t have to worry about it happening. Our children do not have to learn gun drills at school. We don’t have to have metal detectors on school buildings, no security either. Our police are not armed whilst walking the streets of our communities (Britain). This is because guns are hard to get. Impossible for most people.

Well, that’s the case for the four countries I’ve peacefully lived in.

Personally, I’ve known no one to be shot or to have a gun. Never heard gunshots. I have no personal experiences of gun violence, nor does anyone I know. Currently, I’m living in an inner-city area and it’s not a problem. Never even read a story or heard about a shooting in any of the towns I've lived in.

I know people are going to say “what about knife crime?” Yes, I will admit it, I’ve known of people in my hometown to be stabbed and killed. One tragic case comes to mind. It’s rare though, but is knife crime a reason to have guns on the street too? I don’t think it is.

Just because someone could stab me with a knife doesn’t make me want to have a gun, because then someone can shoot me too. I think that if guns were reintroduced to my hometown, then more violent crimes would happen.

I would love for America to calm down. I fear though it won’t happen in my lifetime. Many there seem to cling to the second amendment like it’s a newborn baby. They misguidedly believe that the very weapons which take 100 American lives each day are making them safer.

God bless America.

Delilah Brass

April 2021