Notes on firearms in fiction

One of the most overlooked subject in contemporary literature is (I think) firearms. I went there, like a lot of other writers, put guns in the hands of my protagonists without knowing a bit of background on them. A realistic approach to firearms isn't a straightforward process. Not when the action of your stories happen to be in the United States, like most of mine are. There's a whole culture of firearms that surrounds their use, thanks to the second amendment of the American Constitution which says:

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

No wonder why there are messed clandestine groups like the Hutaree in the U.S. Check out the many definitions of the word "militia" on dictionary.com:

noun

1.a body of citizens enrolled for military service, and called out periodically for drill but serving full time only in emergencies.

2.a body of citizen soldiers as distinguished from professional soldiers.

3.all able-bodied males considered by law eligible for military service.

4.a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights against the presumed interference of the federal government.


I'm not sure how much of an archaism the word "militia" is, in the context of the constitution, but the way it's employed (with the contemporary meaning of the word), there is an individual right to bear arms and defend yourself against the ruling government and the law system. Murder is a punishable offense, but the tools of the trade are a right for the citizens. Before even tackling the models and the physical implications of firearms, there's something to this. There is an increased possibility for firearm-related drama in the U.S, because they are everywhere. Not enough that they are easy of access, they are a right for every citizens.

Put in context, my novel is situated in Colorado. Other than the great geographical situation (mountains, forest, but a lot of cities also), it's a state that has been hit with the Columbine High School drama. The state reacted hard to this disaster. "Solace" happens around 2007-2008, less than ten years after. There is no glorification to firearms now that kids lost their lives for no reason. No one brags about them. They are still there...in the everyman's house, waiting...