A View from A Broad

As Americans ponder the latest shocking shooting spree in Arizona, they are joined by the French who are always well informed as to world events. "How can this happen?" we ask ourselves, and each other. As Americans scramble for an answer, the focus is on how to deflect oncoming bullets as if we all can somehow be insulated from danger by living inside our own personal Pope mobiles. Every time this happens - and it is all too often - we hold candlelight vigils, media pundits opine, and the NRA digs it's heels in deeper. Two weeks later, life returns to normal until the next bloody massacre. As usual, the French have a slightly different take on the subject. They simply cannot understand why Americans continue to allow this to happen time and time again. You see, this sort of thing is virtually unheard of in France. Schoolchildren attend class without a thought being given to lockdowns and random attacks - they're too busy smoking and making out! In the french mind the solution is simple; Gun Control. Two words that strike fear and dread - not to mention anger - in the minds of U.S. citizens nationwide. Never having owned a firearm myself (the "Three Day Cooling Off Period" being designed for people like me), I have always felt that it generally isn't a good idea to have guns around the house. That being said, I understand the intent of the Second Amendment to the Constitution and why it was included by our founding Fathers. But in France, a country that existed under the stranglehold of tyranny for centuries, there are very strict controls on concealed weapons. The possession of a handgun is strictly forbidden, unless one is licensed as a police officer, security officer, or a member of the military. For the hunter, ownership of a shotgun is permitted with a license. The same goes for knives such as switchblades, as a concealed weapon they must be registered with the local prefecture (police). This makes perfect sense to every française I have ever met, and they always cite "Columbine" as an example. The end result is obvious in France; there are no schoolyard shootings, mall massacres, armed home invasions, or carjackings at gunpoint. That is not to say there is no violence or crime in France, of course there is! And it is true that I have seen reports of a shooting victim from time to time - in Paris and in the countryside. But it is extremely rare, and all the more shocking because of it. As for tyranny (which the NRA and militia groups love to hang onto), not since the American Revolution has this been an issue in America. True, we have come close with the likes of Nixon and Cheney, with their illegal wire taps and rendition programs, but not so close that an armed militia is necessary! Usually, an election is all that's needed - that and a free press. Ironically, the French - who actually did suffer under tyranny for centuries before achieving liberté - consider gun control to be civilized and intelligent, not oppressive and threatening. To quote my friend J.P., "The people are the government, and the government is the people!" Well said, mon ami. Perhaps if Americans adopted that mindset there would be less paranoia. Without paranoia, the need to stockpile firearms or attack government employees becomes nil. It's difficult to shoot up your high school when there aren't any guns in the house. And the worn out excuse "If you make owning a gun a crime, only criminals will have guns" just doesn't fly - just ask any frenchman!