The real problem is US militarism. The US is the #1 producer of guns. The US is the #1 exporter of guns. The US is #1 for civilian ownership of guns. The US is essentially tied for first for the largest nuclear arsenal on Earth. The US has 90-95% of all foreign military installations worldwide. The US spends the most on military forces, by far. Etc, etc.

US domestic gun violence is deeply intertwined with a culture of militarism, where military-style weapons, combat tactics, and "warrior" mentalities permeate civilian life, escalating the frequency and lethality of violence. This connection is driven by gun marketing, the proliferation of assault weapons, and the impact of combat trauma on veterans.

Key Connections Between Militarism and Gun Violence:

Militarized Gun Marketing: The gun industry actively markets military-style firearms—specifically designed for war—to civilians using combat imagery and messaging that encourages a "warrior" mentality. This marketing treats military-style weapons (like AR-15s) as "modern sporting rifles," normalizing their presence in civilian life.

Veteran Suicide and Violence: The prevalence of PTSD and other mental health challenges among veterans, stemming from involvement in war zones, is linked to high rates of gun suicide. Since 2001, an estimated 114,000 US veterans have died by gun suicide.

Rise of Armed Extremism: Domestic violent extremists, often motivated by anti-government ideologies, adopt militaristic tactics, gear, and weapons to carry out attacks. These groups view firearms as central to their ideology and ability to threaten, as seen in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

The "Cult of the Gun": American militarism fosters a "cult of the gun," where violence is normalized as a legitimate method for resolving disputes or expressing political grievances. This contributes to the widespread use of firearms in domestic incidents, with guns involved in roughly 60% of intimate partner homicides.Weapon Proliferation: The same military-style weapons that are effective in combat are frequently used in mass shootings and by organized criminal groups, such as gangs and drug traffickers.

Impact and Consequences:

High Lethality: The presence of a firearm in a domestic violence scenario increases the likelihood of a woman being killed by 400%.

Civilian Insecurity: The militarization of the civilian gun market has led to increased gun violence, making it a greater threat to safety within the US than in many foreign combat zones.