What a heritage, of a country that can claim among its symbols of the better nature of humankind, its dedication to equality, freedom, liberty.  That liberty is equated, unfortunately, with the freedom guaranteed under its founding principles, the right to carry firearms. A 'right' that represents a national psychosis. Firearms, for protection from the potential harm that those who celebrate the very same values presumably, under the same flag, given to like foundational principles, represent.

"Lying in wait right now is a terrorist, a deranged school shooter, a kidnapper, a rapist, a murderer waiting and planning and plotting in every community across our country, lying in wait right now", thunders the demagogic Wayne LaPierre, executive vice-president and chief panic-monger of the National Rifle Association in the United States of America.

"We have the chance to secure our freedom for a generation or lose it forever. So we don't care if it is round one, round two or round 15, the NRA will go the distance. We will never give up or sacrifice our constitutional freedom. Not one inch. We will never surrender our guns. By the time we're finished, the NRA must and will be 10-million strong."

Spreading mass hysteria, the paranoia that is certain to see Americans flooding gun shops, snapping up their ammunition, zealously storing it all against the certainty that in their near future lies the threat that will consume that great nation, but not if they have anything to say about it.

A population that is constrained from owning weapons meant to destroy others is a population vulnerable to attacks by evil entities who loathe the freedoms that Americans enjoy as their birthright.

At the annual convention of the NRA over 70,000 members vended their way through acres of weapons displays; sniper rifles, pink assault weapons for women, air gun shooting range for children, along with swords, hunting gear and varied appealing accessories like handbags complete with handgun compartments.

Weapons-producing corporations are basking in the affection they feel emanating from the American public toward their industry.