Coincidentally, a week or so prior to the Baton Rouge and Minnesota shootings, I asked my son, born and raised in B.C. Canada but a resident of Denver Co for the last six or so years, about the US federal political happenings and his conversations with locals. He replied that within a short time of arriving to Denver, he learned that it was fruitless to discuss two topics - politics and firearms. Each side in both topics is just too entrenched and they refuse to change their minds or look at the issues from the opposite perspective.
As an outsider and someone who believes I should not force my opinion on members of another nation, I would still like to offer a couple comments however.
Growing up in a small town in northern B.C. I had a lot of exposure to long guns for hunting and target shooting, and as a career police officer (in the greater Vancouver area), continued to be around many types of firearms. During that career, it was fairly rare to encounter citizens, or even bad guys, with firearms (and it is still relatively unusual for an officer, but the frequency is increasing). Having said all that, I just cannot rap my mind around the idea of so many firearms, especially semi auto military style weapons, being so accessible to, and in the hands of virtually everyone within a society. I'm reasonably familiar with the Second Amendment issues, but it still boggles my mind.
Regarding some of John Koerner's comments:
Canada is, as well, a country which seems to be greatly impacted by the arrival of foreigners, many who seem intent on living within their own ethnic enclaves and refuse to "blend in" (one of the larger cities in the area is now predominantly Asian population; one apartment building has an Asian majority so the majority decided to hold their meetings in Mandarin, effectively shutting out the minority English speaking residents), and also take advantage of the many social/health programs. I should stress that there are many, many arrivals who do blend in and become a member of our society. But I have seen and do see many frustrated and angry locals who resent these "foreign freeloaders" and the inability to be able to express their fears and anger because of the political correctness restrictions. The same goes for non immigrant layabouts and homeless persons who demand everything and give back nothing. However, one of the biggest differences between us and the U.S. is, presumably because of the lack of firearms, few shooting deaths result from those frustrations and the angry interaction between those who take and those who resent.
I, wholeheartedly, agree that an immigrant must integrate themselves into the new society, learn the language, become a valid member of society and follow the rules and laws of that country (don't get me started on our laws/rules being changed to allow turbans to be worn instead of motorcycle helmets and turbans and other religious "accoutrements" to be worn instead of the standard uniform of the police - ya wanna be a cop, wear the damn uniform).
I think the situation in the U.S. is irreversible and in fact, with all the emotion and entrenched positions (both with the citizenry and politicians), I can only see things get worse. I am proud to be a neighbour and friend to the U.S.and have seen that country overcome seemingly insurmountable issues over the years, but I fear they will lose this one.
Marv
