Three events. The murder of popular singer Christina Grimmie at a concert in the US. The mass shooting at a gay club in the US. The incident at the French embassy in Mauritius a few weeks ago. At face value, these are different issues at stake – with varying consequences – ranging from crazed fandom to religious extremism or even senseless homophobia. The primary connection between them? Guns.

Ideally, we would like to live in a world without guns. Not because it would be an imposed regulation but because there would be no need for them. Unfortunately, the possibility of that happening is as real as meritocracy in Mauritius. In many ways, the reality of this world is tragic. The overwhelming feeling when watching the countless reports of shootings on the news is numbness. As depressing as it might sound, we are used to it now. Mass shootings are not a one-off, in the US at least. The solution seems inexorable. Strengthen gun control.

Pro-gun advocates argue that guns don’t kill people, people do. The truth is mankind always had a violent streak, long before religious extremism and mass shootings made it popular. Our history is tainted with the blood of millions. Guns make it easier and deadlier. It would only take an intellectually stunted individual to claim that guns have little to do with these tragedies. Someone like Donald Trump, for example, who is in favour of the relaxing of gun control laws and who is cashing in on this time of mourning to promote his antiimmigration policies.

On the brighter side of things, Mauritius does not have to face the same amount of gun violence. The Firearms Act in Mauritius is a model of its genre. The shock at the shooting of the French embassy is an example of that. As much as we are used to gun violence in other parts of the world, we see absolutely no place for it in Mauritius, in spite of the isolated incidents spread over the years. As a smaller country, it is also relatively easier to keep track of guns and their owners, even though the circumstances surrounding the French embassy incident remain vague at the moment.

The Firearms Act requires extensive background checks before issuing a competency certificate, which is compulsory in order to obtain a gun licence. In the US, people can legally buy weapons at gun shows throughout the country without a proper background check. As a result, scores of deranged individuals have easy access to deadly weapons. According to recent reports, the individuals involved in the Grimmie murder and the mass shooting at the US club had both obtained their guns legally. If this is what the media means when it speaks of elite nations and superpowers, then no thank you, we are not interested. Our insular mediocrity will do just fine for the time being.