My younger brother has studied self-defence for many years and astutely pointed out to me that since time immemorial, people have been using weapons to harm, maim and kill each other, for one reason or another.

He explained that our weapons have evolved, but still fall broadly into one of two categories: 'sticks' - blunt objects used to strike or sharpened objects used to cut or stab; and 'stones' - projectiles that we fling or shoot.

Extraordinary propensity for violence

We human beings have an extraordinary propensity for violence and, unless we undergo radical social and spiritual transformation, we will continue using our bare hands or 'sticks' and 'stones' to kill our brothers and sisters.

I understand the anger, helplessness and frustration felt by law-abiding citizens in the face of limitless violence, brazen murders, the burning of people to death, the kicking off of the doors of our poor and the spraying of the occupants with bullets, and the looting, raping and displacing of residents of entire communities. Millions of decent Jamaicans live in fear, but I have serious misgivings about opening up the acquisition of firearms to all and sundry.

Our socio-economic stressors make us irritable, intolerant, distrusting of and violent towards each other. And violence in society begets violent people. The way that we relate to other drivers on the roads is testament to our volatility. There is aggression, wanton lack of discipline, quick tempers and road rage.

If most people owned firearms ...

I've seen minor traffic disagreements resulting in machetes being brandished. I know of many Christian-minded people (including women), who confess that they could shoot some taxi, minibus and bus drivers for seriously endangering their lives and property. Domestic quarrels erupt into stone-throwing fights all the time. I shudder to think what would transpire if most people owned firearms.

If guns were made easily available, I envision people being robbed of them much in the same way that people are targeted for their cellular telephones. People are already losing guns that are improperly secured. Even now, the authorities suspect that some legal guns are being rented and loaned out for nefarious deeds.

Training may prove ineffective. Even some well-trained members of the security forces discharge their weapons inappropriately. Whenever they perceive the barest of possible threat, some cops resort to the use of deadly force. I know that they are shamefully ill-equipped to handle demonstrators but, all too often, we hear of cops shooting into crowds and killing innocent people, or people armed only with non-lethal objects. I, therefore, wonder what horrors would unfold if most people had guns.

Originally, citizens were allowed to bear arms in defence of their country. When people are allowed to own guns for self-defence, it is an admission by the State that it is incapable of protecting them. So, since by law, people have a right to bear arms in order to defend themselves, and since it is painfully obvious that the security forces cannot adequately protect us, I have nothing against people owning weapons. However, I believe that the widespread ownership of guns in an angry society such as ours will result in many disputes being resolved with bullets.

Moot topic

Anyway, this firearm topic is moot. The Government has no intention of opening up the wholesale issuing of gun licences. Acquiring a gun will always be an extremely expensive, highly selective, harassing and drawn-out affair.

I suspect that our leaders welcome the distraction that this debate provides. They are supposed to protect us and negate the need for personal firearms. What we urgently need are social changes and better security measures.

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Emails may be sent to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.