Country Music Aims to Change the General Perception on Guns in the USA

Guns are often seen as a necessity on American soil, but this obsession with guns may also have negative effects. That’s nothing to do with the average citizen, but with failed background checks or guns in the wrong people’s hands. And that’s what leads to mass shootings.

While laws and regulations change on a regular basis, the truth is there’s much more to the country’s evolution to suppress this problem. After all, the gun issue is present in more countries. But given the size of the USA and the high percentage of firearm owners, the USA can easily dominate this race.

Before purchasing guns and ammo, many people compare prices on Gunsnprices to get the best deal. While guns are primarily for self-protection, it’s crucial to ensure they’re never misused.

Those who own guns do so with the hope of never needing to use them, relying on them solely for protection. After all, everyone has the right to protect themselves. But on the same note, this right might seem a bit too old for today’s society.

Laws tend to control things but to a limit. What else could help? Exactly, music! But that has to change as well, and here’s why.

Guns in the country music culture

Guns are quite common in country music, which is associated with the western cowboy style. Obviously, there have been some changes in the culture over the past decades, but country music is still widely associated with the right to carry.

Murder ballads are the perfect example. Such songs are often inspired from old school folk tales. Some of them are hundreds of years old. Take Knoxville Girl, for example. The same culture covers more recent songs as well, such as Gunpowder and Lead.

Then, there are musicians who take this venture even further. Justin Moore is known for his famous Guns title. It’s not a song radios would accept these days. If you think about it, it has a solid racist approach, not to mention the idea that hunting is the only way to prove you’re a man.

Lyrics or lifestyle?

It isn’t all about lyrics in country music. Sure, many of them relate to hunting and Wild West shooting, but there’s much more than that. Country music has always been associated with the Second Amendment as well. For example, Johnny Cash bragged about shooting anyone who would dare to burn his flag.

Brantley Gilbert, another prominent name of the stage, boasts a tattoo about the Second Amendment. It’s not something small, but it covers his entire back.

Then, you have the NRA, which promotes a different type of lifestyle known as NRA Country. And despite all these, there have been incidents where mass shootings occurred at country music concerts or festivals.

It isn’t the experience musicians dream about, but it does happen, and they can’t seem to change their approach.

Whenever something stupid like a mass shooting occurs, music tributes keep pouring, with lots of songs inspired by it. However, not all of them promote a healthier and safer country. It’s not the end of the world, though, as there are also some exceptions.

Dear Hate by Maren Morris shows that gun violence can be pushed away, without actually losing the love for guns. Her song and idea could go further, but for some reason, it’s hard to find a country musician who’s willing to make it political.

What can be changed

If artists are willing to take things further and clear out this type of violence, there are certain things they can do.

For example, some musicians dislike the idea of performing at places that allow guns. To some, it’s a matter of principles. To others, it’s a matter of health and safety, even their own. There’s music, partying, and alcohol. If there are guns as well, something is likely to go wrong.

That’s not everything, as some artists also fight for common sense and that’s a good thing. Common sense in gun legislation can be interpreted in many ways. One of them implies stopping the glorification of guns. It’s a culture that made sense 100 or 200 years ago, but it’s no longer that actual.

Bottom line, despite society evolving and times changing, it looks like country music isn’t adapting as fast as some would like. Sure, it takes time to change people’s mentality and country music isn’t the only way to do it, but it’s definitely a big step forward.