Agreed. The US was probably the first country to rely on personal arms ownership to establish their independence. Its important to Americans.

It's important to Americans because it's been sold to us as a fictitious part of a national identity. The gun industry has very successfully crafted this narrative, to the point where so many people take it for granted now, but it wasn't always this way; this is a thing that developed in (depending on age) some of our lifetimes.

Here's a book that takes a closer look at how guns took on this sort of mythic role -- more special than other tools and appliances -- in American identity:

https://www.pamelahaag.com/books/gunning-of-america/

Funny. I kinda thought it was the U.S. Constitution that sold us on guns.

No, and until 2008's Heller vs DC decision, private gun ownership was not considered an established right. America's status as a gun-loving nation is a relatively modern invention, and entirely one devised by gun manufacturers. It's working, too (and with somewhat predictable results).

> until 2008's Heller vs DC decision, private gun ownership was not considered an established right.

Only in certain circles.

Just take a look at the pop culture. Music is full of guns and showing violence can be hip. This horrible culture is now in exported to others countries too but nevertheless only in America people would dismiss it as ohh it's just showbusiness.

TV too. Living in Japan I find Japanese TV overwhelmingly boring, lots of shows of minor celebrities reacting to things (uncomfortable situations, food, travel)....with almost the exact same expression, every time. That, or drama shows with terrible acting.

Then I come back to the States and I'm honestly shocked at how macabre American TV is in comparison. It's non-stop crime shows, murder investigations, action, and militarism, with a shootout key to the resolution of almost any episode.

Is it any surprise that Americans reach for their weapons to solve problems with increasing regularity? I blame American's Puritanical streak.....we can't have nice, pleasant things like topless women on TV like they do in Europe.

I'm not sure this is something we can assume, as I don't think there is a country with anywhere close to the same levels of gun ownership as the US.

I remember seeing a picture of a somewhat old gun (WW2 era) repainted in bright colours and the amount of hate the poster got from people left and right.

This doesn't fit in the 'a gun is a tool' mindset, it's fetishism, pure and simple.

That's dangerous because gun owners have convinced people their kids are safe if they play with toy guns that don't look like real guns.

They aren't, but it's a convenient fiction.