I think that sometimes people from other countries have misconceptions about safety, and crime, in the US. I've had people from other countries ask me often "Don't you worry about crime? Is that why everyone seems to have a gun? Should I be worried about being the victim of a violent crime when I visit (fill in the blank - Seattle, San Antonio, Virginia Beach, whatever)?"
They generalize the stats, when the reality is that there are pockets of crime in certain demographics, but the vast majority of areas in the US have low violent crime rates.
As has often been noted on this thread, the "war on drugs" has been a lost cause, and many, many, many of our incarcerated citizens are there on drug related charges. Of course, there's a really simple way to avoid that - don't use or sell drugs.
I had a very interesting event happen just today. I came home from work unexpectedly, and found my 18 year old sitting around with some other 17 and 18 year olds, with a refrigerator full of beer they had just bought. BUSTED! Luckily, the beer was still hot so they hadn't drunk any yet.
Well, this same 18 year old just went to Europe with us a few weeks ago and legally ordered a beer with every evening meal, right in front of us, and we didn't mind at all. That's called (drum roll, folks) RESPONSIBLE AND LEGAL DRINKING.
Now - we knew he'd been sneaking around drinking with his buddies beforehand - as well as transporting alcohol in his truck, and probably drinking and driving, as many rowdy 18 year olds will do.
The difference is - HERE IT'S ILLEGAL. Just having it in his truck is illegal. He could have his license revoked, which means he wouldn't be able to drive to college or to work.
He couldn't seem to understand why I was so ******. I was ****** because we have had this very clear discussion before. DO NOT BRING THINGS INTO MY HOUSE ILLEGALLY. AND DO NOT TRANSPORT ANYTHING ILLEGALLY. And do not bring your minor friends over to MY HOUSE and BREAK THE DAMN LAW.
My oldest son went to Iraq when he was 19 years old. Damn, the man should be allowed to buy a beer when he gets back home. But it's illegal, and it's not worth the trouble he can get into. That's my point.
Personally, I think the law is stupid. And guess what - I think that adults should be allowed to smoke a joint on their own backporch at night if they want - but it's for damn sure not worth the trouble you can get into by doing it - losing your job, getting arrested, all that drama. THAT'S the point. That's what makes it irresponsible.
So - my youngest son - and ME - were engaged in criminal activity today. I could have been arrested myself, this very afternoon, if some of those boys had drunk that beer and their parents had found out, or if they'd left my house and been arrested for drunk driving. And that's one reason why we have such a high crime rate here.