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Like any other nation, the UK has had its fair share of violent crime. In response, governmental leaders have enacted major gun control measures in 1937, 1968, 1988, and 1997 rendering London (and its country) one of the most firearm-restricted places in the world.
But that hasn’t stopped violent crime….
In the first three months of 2018, there were more than 50 murders in London, with most of the killing tied to gangs…and perpetrated by knives. So in April, London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, made international headlines when he banned knives from the city. The controversial piece of legislation came after London surpassed New York City’s homicide rate for the first time in history.
Mayor Khan’s tweet on the subject left little room for interpretation. “No excuses: there is never a reason to carry a knife. Anyone who does will be caught, and they will feel the full force of the law.”
Shortly thereafter, Time Magazine ran an article in their April 23rd edition that highlighted the city’s violence and the government’s response to the crisis. Other factors, such as a reduction in police officers on the street due to budgetary cuts as well as the glamorization of violence on social media, were also listed as possible contributors to the problem.
The subject of mass violence is a difficult one, for sure. It’s a hotly contested topic that will likely rage for years to come. That may be because we are unable – or unwilling – to identify the right culprit in these vicious events.
Is it a gun?
A knife?
An airplane?
I only ask because the very first murder – Cain killing his younger brother Abel – involved none of those.
We may need to look inward.
Click here for the online report.
