Gun violence in the U.S. continues unabated, U.S. analysts point out—

Its root is the collusion between American politics and business (in-depth observation)

　　Next to the out-of-town road in the northern suburbs of Uvalde, southern Texas, there is an outdoor and hunting supplies store called "Oasis Outback".

Walking into the store, there are many tables in the open hall, where people can enjoy barbecue and other delicacies.

On the other side of the hall, the rifles were lined up above the shelves against the wall, and the shelves below were filled with various types of ammunition.

　　According to reports, the suspect in the Rob Elementary School massacre, Salvador Ramos, an 18-year-old high school student, purchased guns and ammunition at the store's gun counter before launching the school attack.

　　U.S. Senator—

　　"It's illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy beer, but it's legal to buy assault weapons, which makes no sense"

　　On May 16, Ramos just turned 18.

Local officials said that buying a gun was the first thing Ramos did after he was 18, and "there was no obstacle to him getting these weapons."

Ramos "legally purchased" two rifles on May 17 and 20, and 375 rounds on May 18.

On the 24th, he opened fire at Rob Elementary School, killing 19 children and 2 teachers.

Social media records show that Ramos had been planning the attack for a long time.

　　In America, buying a gun is as easy as eating and shopping.

Places like the Oasis Outback store abound.

The store's website shows that the store's business covers catering, fishing equipment, guns and ammunition.

According to Senator John Whitmire of Texas, the "Oasis Outback" store where Ramos bought the gun was an "authorized federal gun seller."

　　The fact that the gunman Ramos was able to buy two AR15 automatic rifles a few days after his 18th birthday underlines how much easier it is for Americans to buy assault rifles than handguns, the Texas Tribune website noted.

Under federal law, Americans must be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun from a licensed dealer, while under Texas law, they can buy a rifle at least 18 years old.

This stems from the provisions of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: "A well-regulated militia is necessary for the security of a free state, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be violated."

　　U.S. Senator Diana Feinstein recently introduced a federal bill to raise the minimum age for purchasing assault weapons from 18 to 21, but the bill has faced huge political resistance in Congress.

"It's illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to buy beer, but it's legal to buy an assault weapon, which makes no sense," she said.

　　US "open secret" website --

　　"The NRA is one of the most influential lobbying organizations in the United States"

　　For a long time, the United States has formed a deep-rooted gun culture.

While gun control regulations vary from state to state, none of the state governments prohibit the purchase of weapons.

According to the "Texas Gun Experience" website, when buying a gun, people need to carry government-issued identification to fill out a federal gun transaction record.

Gun dealers then conduct what's called a "background check" on-site, and people can buy guns.

If people have a gun license, the background check step can be ignored.

　　In many U.S. states, people over the age of 21 can apply for a gun license and can legally carry handguns in public places such as airports and shopping malls.

First-time applicants can submit an application online, generally complete 4 to 6 hours of classroom training, pass a written test and a skilled shooting demonstration, and obtain a gun license issued by the State Department of Public Safety after paying a fee ranging from tens of dollars. It is much more difficult to obtain than to obtain a driver's license.

A gun permit can even be used as identification and voter certification in many states.

　　The Rob Elementary School shooting shocked America.

What is even more worrying to public opinion is that the suspect's access to guns is so simple, which highlights the grim reality of the proliferation of guns in American society, and exposes the major flaws and hidden dangers in gun management in the United States.

American analysts have criticized that the loss of personnel caused by school shootings is difficult to change the status quo of gun control in the United States.

　　Texas Senator Roland Guterres from Uvaldi said: "What's going on here is wrong! Politicians in power in Texas have been listening to the NRA." The US Open Secret website revealed The financial relationship between some American politicians and the National Rifle Association of the United States: The National Rifle Association invested $54.4 million and $29 million in financial support for the U.S. election in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

"The NRA is one of the most influential lobbying organizations in the United States."

According to reports, former US President Trump also participated in the organization's annual meeting in Houston on May 27.

　　The NRA has "promoted the sport of shooting" to youth since 1903, the National Rifle Association says on its website.

There is a wide variety of youth shooting programs, including competitions, awards and bonuses, training and safety courses, scholarships and more, "to help instill gun culture".

In addition, the gun industry is using shooting games to drive sales of rifles.

"Washington Post" pointed out that the gunman Ramos is a first-person shooter online game enthusiasts.

Ryan Bass, a former senior U.S. gun industry official, said that with the rise of first-person shooters, video games have become a key area of ​​planning and marketing for the gun industry.

By placing ads for offensive weapons in movies or video games, the gun industry has attracted more young buyers.

　　Axios news website reported on June 6 that amid the recent series of mass shootings in the United States, the latest poll shows that 70% of Americans believe that the creation of new gun control laws should take precedence over protecting gun ownership, with more than half Parents of students say their children were scared and saddened by the Rob Elementary school shooting.

　　"New York Times"--

　　"If you don't even want to protect children, what kind of civilized country is the United States?"

　　The American "Salon" news website commented on June 6 that mass shootings in the United States have threatened the security of the whole society. Gun violence seems to have the color of an American Western, but it really happened in the big cities of the United States in the 21st century. , considering the advanced nature of weapons and the density of population, the damage will only be greater.

　　Gun control in the United States is facing great obstacles. The proposal for strict gun control has fallen into a deadlock in the bipartisan struggle in the United States. Many American politicians have even called for further relaxation of gun control measures.

Texas Gov. Abbott blamed Ramos' mental health problems for the Rob Elementary School tragedy, not his easy access to military-grade weapons.

Abbott said 18-year-olds have been able to buy assault rifles in Texas for more than 60 years.

Last year, Abbott signed a bill to make it easier to buy guns, allowing people to legally carry handguns without a license or training.

　　The website of Psychology Today magazine in the United States reported on June 6 that so far this year, there have been 27 school shootings in the United States. The impact of gun violence on children is multi-faceted. Children who are directly exposed to violence are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, Suicidal tendencies, trauma and other psychological problems.

What's more, they tend to be more violent and more likely to carry guns.

　　The New York Times pointed out that in the first 145 days of this year, at least 213 mass shootings occurred in the United States, and children have long been accustomed to participating in shooting simulation exercises and carrying bulletproof backpacks to school.

"What kind of civilized country is the United States if it doesn't even want to protect children?" A signed article in The New York Times criticized: "The greatest shame in the United States is that no amount of anger can change the relationship between the United States and guns." The author of the article, American writer Roxanne Gay bluntly stated that in the United States, "policy is sold to the highest bidder, and none of this will change."

　　NPR pointed out: "The United States is particularly bad at protecting children from gun violence." The report said that the Rob Elementary School tragedy is another ruthless reminder: In the United States, where civilians own nearly 400 million guns, children are killed by gun violence. The likelihood is higher than in any other high-income country.

Former French ambassador to the U.S., Gérard Arrot, criticized that gun violence is insane and that "there is no prospect of improvement" in the current political environment in the United States. "Nothing will happen, there will be more killings."

　　(This newspaper, Washington, June 7th)

　　Our reporter Li Zhiwei