Gun Culture

The Second Amendment of the US Constitution (1791) guarantees the right to bear arms — "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." In the USA, an estimated 400 million firearms are privately owned — more than the population. For Europeans, this is often difficult to comprehend.

The gun culture has historical roots: The settlers of the frontier needed weapons for survival and self-defense. The revolution was fought by armed citizens. In rural areas (especially in the South and West), gun ownership is deeply embedded in the culture — hunting, shooting ranges, and the feeling of being able to defend oneself and one's family are part of the identity.

At the same time, the USA suffers from an epidemic of gun violence: Over 45,000 people die each year from firearms (more than half by suicide). Mass shootings occur with alarming regularity — schools, churches, shopping centers, concerts. The political debate is deadlocked: Democrats call for stricter laws, Republicans defend the Second Amendment.

For travelers: The likelihood of becoming a victim of gun violence as a tourist is extremely low. But you will see people openly carrying weapons (Open Carry) in many states — in Texas, Arizona, Montana, and other states, this is completely legal and normal. In states like California and New York, the laws are much stricter.