America's made-up culture of guns

Both sides of the gun issue may have opinions, but only one side is supposed to have a "culture." But it's important to understand that "gun culture" is a relatively recent invention.

A family with guns.
(Image credit: Illustrated | kenlh/iStock, ClassicStock / Alamy Stock Photo, Zoonar GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo)

We are a nation divided, as everyone knows. And what we need to fix that problem is to reach out, express some empathy, and show our opponents that we don't hate them even if we disagree.

Or at least, that's what liberals are supposed to do.

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Paul Waldman

Paul Waldman is a senior writer with The American Prospect magazine and a blogger for The Washington Post. His writing has appeared in dozens of newspapers, magazines, and web sites, and he is the author or co-author of four books on media and politics.