A Discussion about Guns

 In Comparative Cultures today we talked about guns.  This was one of the stereotypes that was common to almost all of the submissions.  In America, it is very easy to get guns and everyone has them.  I talked a little bit about the spectrum of ideas that exists in the US.  I said there are people who feel they should be allowed to own as many guns of whatever type they wish no matter what, and there are people who feel gun ownership should be banned completely.  I pointed out most people fall between these extremes, but that is the range of it.  I did not say where I fall on this spectrum at this point.

They broke into groups of 3-4 (Zoom meeting) and talked about their feelings.  The question was "Should people (American or Japanese) be allowed to own guns?  Why do you think so?"  I worded it a bit differently to make sure it was clear.  They talked for about 7 minutes or so, and when we regrouped I asked one person from each group to tell me what they felt.  Every student feels people should not be allowed to own guns.  They are dangerous.  They increase crime.  They are used to kill people.  Most people do not fight in wars.

I asked them what they thought of the idea that I have fired guns and that gun owners are in my family.  "In America it is different.  You need guns to protect yourself because it is more dangerous there."  Some of them kind of said the reason it is more dangerous is because there are guns available.  If guns were not so easy to get, no one would need a gun to protect themselves.  I do not know if they have heard or read any of the debates around gun control in the US.  If not, it was interesting to see them hit some of the sticky points right away.

One student said "It is your right to own a gun, so I cannot say you should not."  This is where I tipped my hand and told them about how it is a right in America to own weapons.  I gave them the text of the Second Amendment (this one I know by heart because it's pretty short and very relevant) and we talked about sentence structure.  I said many people who say gun ownership must always be allowed focus on the "shall not be infringed" part.  My view is based on the observation that the Second Amendment is one of the few places in the US Constitution where a justification clause exists.  "A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State," tells me why "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

I left them with an assignment to write a paragraph about their feelings regarding gun ownership.  There is more structure to the question than this so they do not wander to far into the weeds.  I hope I've left enough freedom that they can at least step off the path, though.  I just want to say I don't know how people who teach humanities classes do it.  It took a lot of brain power for me to stay focused and provide good comments and feedback for the 60 minutes we spent on the topic.  I have 10 more lectures like this.  Plus my other class.

At least I have sabbatical to look forward to when I return.  Still, this is very enjoyable and just what I need to shake up my teaching and thinking.