Gun culture on TV - American vs. Scandinavian views on guns

This is a heavy topic. Very heavy but it's something to tackle. Gun culture here is completely different from gun culture in America. Scandinavia is extremely strict when it comes to gun laws and gun ownership. Police offers here do not carry guns on them when on duty. Gun ownership is very rare among people. In anything, most people are afraid of guns and don't like them. Those who own guns all have to register with the police and gun ownership is very heavily monitored. I once researched the possibility of me taking a gun training course. It turns out I'd first have to register with the local police and put in an application with recommendations from two people and a certificate of good health from my doctor. If the police where to approve my application after a thorough background check I'd be allowed to take the course. But I'd still have to pass it with a grade higher than 75% and I'd need to register with the police.

This is very, very different from gun culture in America and for those of us that view American gun culture from the outside it is something that concerns us. The seeming worship of guns, the importance placed on owning a gun for self protection (from what?), the lack of background checks when it comes to weapon buying, the constant referral to the 2nd amendment as the right to own a gun for self protection and the alarming number of school shootings and the dangers easy access to gun makes.
It is culture we do not understand and are very strongly against.

So when terrible incidents such as school shootings take place, the seemingly crazy gun culture in America becomes a topic of discussion here in Scandinavia and people discuss hotly how wrong the seeming reverence towards guns is. And the craziness of demanding gun ownership for self protection based on the 2nd amendment. We view the gun culture as a very big social problem in America. We respond very strongly to it and view our own attitude towards guns and gun ownership as being a better one. I am going to be brutally honest and say that we consider ourselves superior to American culture in this regard.

These opposing views are best represented in the following clips - This is a FOX news clip concerning the gun ownership of police offers. And yes, we are democratic.

and the reply by a Norwegian man.

So for me, being a part of and agreeing with a culture that is so strict when it comes to gun ownership and is resistant towards guns, viewing gun culture on TV is interesting.

First of all, I always find it strange when the first thing the characters do when facing a situation is whipping out their gun. In my country, the police wouldn't do that. The local police has a special team trained in facing situations where guns are required for protection. You never see police officers carrying arms. Something like that would scare people. In fact, people carrying guns scares me. It seems strange to me that it is the first instinct of the characters to pull out their weapons when there is no need for it. And to constantly aim it at people when there is no threat. That, I do not get.

Secondly, I have zero knowledge of guns. I'm barely able to tell the most basic difference between different types of guns. I had no idea ballistics were considered to be a valid tool in forensics. I had never imagined there were so many different kinds of guns and bullets. It is a science unto itself. So when TV characters spout out gun fact after gun fact my eyes glaze over and I have no idea what they are talking about.

Thirdly I close my eyes when shooting scenes happen most of the time. I am still not comfortable when guns are being shot on TV. Pulling out the gun is one things, using it is completely another. It makes me wince. I will never like it. If that makes me the worlds biggest imp so be it.

Fourthly I am still wondering how in the world the gun scenes are constructed. Do they use real bullets? Are there always paramedics present in case something goes wrong? Who puts the scenes together? Is it possible for the actors to be dislike using guns?

And fifth - why the constant shooting? Is there a demand for constant shooting scenes or is it just for the sake of trying to making the shows more exciting?

Today I found this gem - This is the reason for why Obama really is a great president. He wants to make a change in gun laws and I am guffawed it did not happen.

Obama's speech concerning the gun legislation that was overruled

And for the record - having families that have been shattered by gun violence weigh in on such an important issue is not emotional blackmail or manipulation. It is a reality check for those that are in power to see the terrible effect of gun violence. And don't the families deserve to have a say in a matter like this? Does the opinion of the public not matter?

Do I believe people have the right to protect themselves? Absolutely. I do so 150%. But I also firmly believe in people's right for protection and to me a part of that protection lies in heavy gun control. It helps keep people safe. This is something I continue to try and wrap my head around and as do other people I know. But I will say that I am glad to have grown up in my culture where guns are not a part of people's daily life and people do not depend on guns for safety. I am blessed to live in an incredibly safe place with a wonderful police force that keeps everyone safe. It is not something I would change for the world and I know no person that would.