In Egypt, guns are permitted as long as they are licensed. Egyptians, and I am not an exception, do not have any tendency whatsoever to have guns. Even the matter of having guns is not often discussed in the mass media. The bulk of the people, most of whom are illiterate, think that the police are able to protect them and deter criminals, if any. For the most part, people feel safe in their homes and workplaces. The horrible, science fiction-centered crimes we see on the western T.V. stations or newspapers are hardly been recorded. Small theft crimes are the most popular cases. However, this is not the case in Upper Egypt where vendetta killing finds a fertile land to proliferate. Clashes often erupt between some tribes; no matter they are Muslims or Christians. Surprisingly enough, these clashes that may happen between Muslims and Christians are not referred to as sectarian tension, rather they pass unheeded. For its part, the esteemed government always acts as a spectator because some of its corrupt officials traffic in weapons. Actually, they are the main source for weapons in Upper Egypt. We have to bear in mind that these clashes have nothing to do at all with religion or culture. They are fueled by the government officials to sell their weapons and draw the peoples’ attention away from being involved in politics.
To cut a long story short, I do not like to have a gun even if guns are permitted without a licence. In case of clashes, if guns are used, they will exacerbate rather than solve the dispute and make them even worse. Claiming the life of at least one person, if not more, is likely to be the natural outcome of using a gun in a dispute. Again, I am not fond of hunting or target shooting sport. I have neither reasonable justifications nor flimsy excuses to have a gun. I know that the case in the USA is utterly different; people consider it an integral part of their culture or even identity. They are fond of hunting and shooting. Probably they have guns for the sole purpose of feeling safe by defending themselves thereby when necessary.
