Thanks Twisterdog. I was struggling with the comment as well. I travel a lot (to Canada, and Europe). I often am asked if I keep a gun in my car, in my bedside table... I can't help but blame my own country's media, in part, for this stereotype, but it frustrates me nonetheless.
I grew up in a smallish town/city (it was about 20thousand people) where we didn't really lock doors. Now I live in a city of almost a Million. I would suspect that cities of a million in MOST countries would necessitate locking one's doors.
I have lived in the U.S. for 38 years and, (aside from hunters), I have seen a gun ONCE in a potentially criminal, violent situation. Last year, visiting the town I grew up in. I have lived in NM, in DC, in Boston, and spent time in many other major cities.
Ironically the most guns I ever saw in one place was the Edmonton airport. Yes, I know they were Americans in Canada hunting. But I *could* decide that Canada is full of guns couldn't I?And, on that occassion my bags were searched and person after person with ducttaped shut coolers were not.
Now, don't get me wrong, I think the U.S. gun laws need to be revisited, and I'm currently reading up on Dean's proposals for doing so, and liking it.
The bottom line for me i think is that it's not as simple as "The U.S. is dangerous", "Canada is safe". Population density, gun laws...cultures....and MANY other factors all need to be taken into consideration. And as many posters have pointed out Bowling highlights one, and lets us believe it's the only factor.
Originally posted by Twisterdog
That is a gross over-generaliztion. There are MANY places in the United States where you can leave your doors unlocked. (I live in one of them.) And there are MANY places in Canada that are dangerous and unsafe, just like there are in any country.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks