Political violence shakes America again

‘I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose votes.’

Last Saturday, July 13, was a day that sent shockwaves through America and possibly the rest of the world. Political violence once again reared its ugly head in the United States.

But let me tell you this: the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump was not entirely surprising. It has happened before, and unfortunately, it may happen again.

In a country where every citizen can own a firearm, provided they qualify for a license, and where cases of gun violence, including homicides, have been increasing over the years, should an attempt to assassinate a political leader come as a surprise?

Assassination attempts on the president are rare, with the last one occurring 43 years ago in 1981 against President Ronald Reagan. Both Reagan and Trump survived, but Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy did not.

Let’s now examine how easy it is for a citizen to purchase a pistol or rifle in the US. According to a New York Times report, many Americans can buy a gun in less than an hour, while in some countries, the process takes months.

The fundamental step is passing an instant background check that considers criminal convictions, domestic violence, and immigration status. Many countries have exceptions for specialized professions, and local laws vary.

While some American states have additional buying restrictions, such as waiting periods and expanded background checks, federal law does not require a background check when purchasing directly from a private seller. Approximately one-third of American gun owners buy guns without a background check.

When obtaining a firearm is comparatively easy, it should come as no surprise that gun violence in America has been a persistent issue, with fluctuating trends over the years.

According to recent FBI data, the US experienced a significant increase in homicide rates in 2020, with firearms playing a notable role. This trend continued into 2021, albeit with a slower rate of increase in 2022.

Data from the Gun Violence Archive reveals a rise in the number of mass shootings in recent years. In 2021 and 2022, the number of such incidents exceeded that of previous years.

The surge in gun sales, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, has contributed to increased gun ownership, which can correlate with higher rates of gun violence.

As Malaysians, we should be grateful that firearms are heavily restricted to private citizens in our country. Malaysia has stringent gun control laws under the Arms Act of 1960, strictly regulating the possession, import, export, manufacture, and use of firearms.

Overall, Malaysia’s gun control laws and rigorous enforcement result in very low rates of gun ownership and gun violence compared to countries with more permissive firearm regulations.

Considering Trump was shot during a campaign rally, it’s worth noting that the perils of campaigning took on new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously injured George Wallace, an independent candidate with a campaign platform that has sometimes been compared to Trump’s.

These incidents led to increased protection for candidates, even as threats persisted, notably against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008.

Presidents, particularly after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have had even greater layers of security. Trump is a rarity as both a former president and a current candidate.

We all watched in horror, yet found solace, as Trump’s Secret Service guards shielded him from all angles within seconds of the shots being fired. Kudos to the FBI and their agents who were prepared to take a bullet for the president. They were true, blue American heroes.

Let me conclude by quoting Republican Rep Mike Kelly, who represents the area where the shooting occurred. Kelly attended the rally with his wife and grandchildren and was just behind Trump when he was wounded. Kelly expressed his bewilderment at the state of the United States of America and urged people to tone down their rhetoric and stop trying to place blame.

“The blame lies somewhere in the psyche of America,” Kelly said. Indeed, there is something within the American psyche that isn’t working well, and the political leaders running the most powerful nation on the planet should make every effort to correct it.

I believe that Donald Trump will be elected as president again in November, and the incoming 47th President of the United States should be well aware of what needs to be done if they intend to “Make America Great Again.”

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.