By Leonard Benton
“It seems that the world and people in America want to know the answer to a question that is at the fundamental core of American culture. Why do Americans love guns?
There is constant talk due to high profile cases like Sandy Hook, Aurora, and Columbine when someone goes off the beam and kills the innocent. Everyone wants to blame the gun instead of the person.
Those individuals have a point but they are still missing the point as well. God made man and Samuel Colt made them equal. The issues of violence are not the fault of the tool.
Class distinctions faded to ceremonial roles in England when a simple musket could fell a knight in armor. America had different knights. If you look at the entomology of the sword in Europe you will find that it is still revered and held in place in ceremony. The reason was that the sword was a symbol of power.
The forging of America started with the most basic of equipment but the highest priority went to the musket. The Infantry of today’s army further show that UAGunstradition by awarding either for skill or combat, a stylized version of the Kentucky Long rifle, and they wear Crossed Rifles to designate their profession.
We have the sword as well but in American history the tide of battle did not revolve around edge weapons but the rifle and pistol of the colonists. The Minute Men of America who dropped their plows and grabbed their rifles define commitment and they always have a rifle in hand.
Every step we have taken has been backed up by the power of the firearm in its various forms. The firearm was used to defend and to put food on the table. During Westward expansion into new territory, always occupied by natives, the settlers fought.
The birth of this nation was not a peaceful birth and you can read all the history books you want too but the truth is that we expanded by conquering native tribes putting our guns against their bows. It was brutal and vicious and it was considered acceptable. Two cultures collided and the more powerful culture won.
From the beginning of this nation, the gun is the tool that allowed this nation to grow. And it has focused itself into our legends when we think about places like Valley Forge, the Alamo, and Adobe Walls.”
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