The Battle of Athens (2 AUGUST 1946)

[Raellus]

Are we really worried about foreign invasion? Or the government dissolving the republic and instituting widespread martial law? Have either happened (excepting the Civil War, and don't get me started on that) since the War of 1812? Er, not really. So what are we so afraid of?

This, in my opinion, is the root of American's obsession with guns: fear.

I say this because my own firearms purchases were motivated, in large part, by fear. When I moved out to the country, I moved at least 15 minutes from the nearest law enforcement. A lot can happen in 15 minutes, so I purchased a shotgun so that I could defend my family and myself. That one shotgun turned into a semi-auto pistol (so that the wife could defend herself and the kids, if I'm not around), and then an AR-15 (why?).

Americans are afraid of a lot of things. Urban gangs, [illegal] immigrants, terrorists, communists (still), government (in general, but a Democratic Party-led one in particular). Two oceans and a huge nuclear arsenal don't seem to reassure a lot of us. Apparently, owning a couple of high-powered, hi-cap, semi-automatic rifles is just enough to calm the fear. We can mask the fear with the facade of strength. I've got a bunch of guns so I'm tough, independent, and won't take crap from anyone. I won't be a victim. Bring it on.

I'm still trying to figure out what makes us Americans, as a people, so darn afraid.