SENSES NOVELS – LONE WOLF

In the first book of the Senses Novels series, Aura, there is a lone-wolf domestic terror attack. Interestingly, there are no guns involved in the incident. This was done to demonstrate a couple of things.

There is almost nothing that can be done to stop someone that is determined to cause death and mayhem, and guns are often the least lethal weapon available. A criminal doesn’t care about bans or laws. They will still find a way to commit their atrocities.

I am amazed at the low number of such attacks that the U.S. has suffered, respective percentage-wise to other countries. We are always told how much the rest of the world hates us, yet nations like England, France and Germany seem to garner far more of these types of terrorist activities than the United States.

I ran across an interesting statistic, England has had 34 non-firearm, terrorist-related deaths so far in 2017 (firearms are banned in England.) The United States has had 64 gun related deaths from these types of attacks. England has 16.6% the population that the U.S. has. Those killed in either are still an astonishingly small percentage of the people, but it means that you are 80% more likely to be killed by a non-firearm related terrorist attack in England than a gun-related attack in the U.S.!

The focus of this post is on terrorism, homicides, and suicides by gun are, of course, a different story. In general murders, we still are well ahead of England. Still, you might find this interesting.

Number of Homicides Greater than the U.S. by Country:

Brazil	55,574
India	41,623
Mexico	20,762
South Africa	18,673
Nigeria	17,843
Venezuela	17,778
Russia	16,232

And, since I know you are wondering:

In Brazil, all firearms are required to be registered with the minimum age for gun ownership being 25. It is generally illegal to carry a gun outside a residence, and a special permit granting the right to do so is granted to certain groups, such as law enforcement officers.

Guns in India are strictly regulated by law. The Arms Act, 1959 and the Arms Rules 1962 prohibit the sale, manufacture, possession, acquisition, import, export, and transport of firearms and ammunition unless under a license, which is difficult to obtain.

While it is true that Mexico possesses strict gun laws, where most types and calibers are reserved to military and law enforcement, the acquisition and ownership of certain firearms and ammunition remains a constitutional right to all Mexican citizens and foreign legal residents; given the requirements and conditions to exercise such right are fulfilled in accordance with the law.

In South Africa, the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 regulates the ownership of firearms by civilians. Ownership of a firearm is conditional on a competency test, and several other factors, including background checking of the applicant, inspection of an owner's premises, and licensing of the weapon by the police introduced in July 2004. The process is currently undergoing review, as the police are at present, not able to adequately or within a reasonable time, process either competency certification, new licenses or renewal of existing licenses. Minimum waiting period used to exceed 2 years from the date of application. The Central Firearms Registry implemented a turnaround strategy that has significantly improved the processing period of new licenses. The maximum time allowed to process a license application is now 90 days.

The Nigerian Fire Arms Act (1990) provides that no person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm or ammunition except such person has a license from the President or from the Inspector General of Police.

It states further that no license or permit to carry firearms should be granted to applicants under the age of seventeen; persons who are of unsound mind; persons not fit to have possession of the firearm in question on account of defective eyesight; persons of intemperate habits or anyone who has during the previous five years been convicted of an offence involving violence or the threat of violence.

Except for licensed firearm dealers, it is unlawful for anyone to buy or sell firearms or ammunitions. The same goes for firearm manufacturing, only the Inspector – General of police can grant a license to make and repair firearms in Nigeria, however, such persons must be duly documented and registered.

Venezuela bans private gun ownership. Venezuela has brought a new gun law into effect which bans the commercial sale of firearms and ammunition.

Russian citizens over 18 years of age can obtain a firearms license after attending gun-safety classes and passing a federal test and background check. The license is for five years and may be renewed. Firearms may be acquired for self-defense, hunting, or sports activities.

As you can see, all the banning, registering and passing of background checks has really worked in these countries with the HIGHEST homicide rates in the world. The point here is, a criminal doesn’t care about the law. Only law-abiding citizens are going to care. And then THEY will become victims.

KM