Eradicate ‘gun culture’ with stricter laws

This refers to the Oct. 18 editorial, “Guns, guns, guns.” On most occasions that I celebrate a young person’s funeral, I ask the cause of death and I’ve been hearing almost the same thing: “Nabaril po.”

I am very concerned about guns. That’s why I have been following the news and comments about the SM Mall incidents, the woman raped and killed in UP Los Baños and the murder of Fr. Fausto Tentorio in Arakan, North Cotabato. I cannot forget my saddest birthday in 2008; that day one of our staff was shot while he was carrying payroll money.

I completely agree with those advocating stricter gun laws, disarmament and a serious campaign against the illegal gun market. The Philippines needs a law that completely closes the opportunity for criminals to sell and buy firearms.

However, laws would not be enough. We need to change the mindset that problems can be resolved with guns. We have to teach our children and our youth that a gun is not a solution to problems.

We can learn from both the good and bad experiences of other countries.

In Switzerland, soldiers bring their uniforms and service firearms home after serving in the military. While crimes involving firearms are very low there, last February, the Swiss approved in a referendum a proposal to stop this practice. Why? Because Switzerland has the highest rate of suicide by firearms in Europe.

In America you can easily buy guns, and in some states, you can even openly carry them. Some groups are advocating a gunless society, but the National Rifle Association (NRA) and like groups are so influential, and so Americans continue to “enjoy” their constitutional “right … to keep and bear arms.”

When I got to the United Kingdom in 2007, I was surprised to see policemen patrolling the streets with no guns. I wondered how they could maintain peace and order without carrying guns. Later on, I found out that UK has very strict gun laws, and these are enforced by a very efficient law enforcement and judicial systems.

In Argentina, my homeland, disarmament campaigns have been successful and the gun laws are becoming more and more strict, so that it is now more difficult to buy and carry firearms.

Toy guns and violent movies also promote a “gun culture.” But the focus should be more on stricter gun laws and education.

—FR. FACUNDO MELA, FDP,

facundofdp@yahoo.com.ar