Fergus Finlay: Is US society moving towards a total embrace of culture of killing?

Nineteen children and two teachers lost their lives in yet another school shooting and yet the NRA continues to enjoy the support of politicians terrified of losing their lucrative funding

Children pray and pay their respects at a memorial for the 21 victims of last week's school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Picture:Dario Lopez-Mills/AP

Once, many years ago, I was taken hunting for a day in the Pacific Northwest of America. With a shotgun in my arms. It was one of those guns that had to be reloaded after every shot, and there was a terrible kick to it when you pulled the trigger. Because of my inexperience, I didn’t know how to hold it right, and three or four shots left my arm black and blue for days.

But I can still remember the feeling of power from holding that thing. And the feeling of shame afterwards. I’ve been opposed to blood sports all my life, but I came close to being easily converted when given the chance to shoot at a flock of harmless ducks.