Originally Posted by
Mike Jacoubowsky
You need to view that in context; in the US, when we have a mass shooting of some sort (which unfortunately happens more often than you'd expect, but usually not by a terrorist), the world condemn the entire US as this terrible place where people have too many guns and go around shooting each other. The US is a heck of a lot bigger than Kenya. Why should it be a surprise that people don't think similarly? You and I know the truth, but you and I obviously differentiate between the fringe and normal experience. Many people do not. They need to be educated, not beat over the head. Provide context.
While you say it needs to be viewed in context, you missed out the most important context to that reaction by the rest of the world. The mass shootings grab attention and trigger the talking about America being full of dangerous gun nuts, but it's the number of people killed by guns throughout the year that actually gives it that reputation. Over 12,000 people were killed by guns all around America last year - the vast majority of whom weren't in mass shootings. Even accounting for it being a big place, 12,000 is a hell of a large number. Compare it to the UK for example. The population of the US is about 4-5x more than the UK, so all things being equal you'd expect in the region of 2,500 deaths by guns in the UK. I can't find the exact figure, but it was about 30-50.
Don't get me wrong, I don't avoid the US and don't spend my time scared I'm going to be shot at any moment, but there most certainly is a huge issue with gun crime.