Traditionally, Republicans are more opposed to gun control laws than the Democrats, owing to differences in cultural identity of respective cadres, geographical psychographics, and also the urban-rural split (or the coastline-hinterland “divide”). The Republican heartland is essentially the white-dominated “redneck” country, where people go hunting and have self-defence traditions.

Therefore, the all-powerful National Rifle Association (NRA) has aligned itself with Republican ranks to pursue its agenda. The Second Amendment to the Constitution is interpreted contrastingly by Republicans and Democrats. The line “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” - herein, the word “militia” is decoded by Republicans as implying individuals.

Today, Americans own 46 per cent of the world’s civilian-owned firearms. It has been statistically proven that firearm ownership increases the risk of firearm homicide, suicide, and even impulsive lethality. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this leads to 45,000-48,000 gun-related deaths annually. All counter-arguments that firearms provide safety are humbug, as data show that firearm ownership puts individuals and their families at higher risk of injury and death.

It is well established that bearing weapons tends to........

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