America, appears to be undergoing a very challenging period of its history, as the issue of gunplay continues to corrode that image of being a shining hill of freedom and justice for all.

People throughout the country are more concerned than ever about mass shootings that occur on a frequent basis.

With so many shootings that have claimed the lives of men, women and children — the latest in Odessa, Texas — there still seems to be a reluctance from legislators to stop talking and implement a firm policy to halt a trend where the “Gunsmoke Syndrome” has affected daily life in the country.

With guns that are usually found on battlefields being sold daily in the name of upholding the Second Amendment about the right to bear arms, there is growing despair that not much will change to make the nation safer.

It has been a contentious issue for decades, as gun manufacturers and the powerful National Rifle Association appear to have a commanding grip on politicians over any move to affect gun sales or to improve gun control.

It is no secret that the leadership of the nation has wobbled and squirmed after every mass shooting out of fear that the NRA could pull the plug on millions donated to keep politicians who support their agenda in power.

The Republicans are the ones in power at the moment, even though the Democrats control Congress.

After every mass shooting, there are cries from both sides that something needs to be done. However, voices seem to fade over what steps to take to protect the innocent from weapons of war without offending those who feel the Second Amendment gives them the right to own such a weapon.

Most shootings involve these deadly weapons with the firepower to kill a number of people within seconds before reloading. These escalating incidents not only put the nation on edge, but people in other countries have expressed concern over travelling to America for fear of being caught up in another public shooting.

Bermudians, who have a long history of travel and connections to America, are mindful that the safety factor is not quite what it used to be. However, it is doubtful it will alter travel patterns to the United States, although they are likely, along with people from other parts of the world, to be more alert about their surroundings.

The sad part about this gun madness is that overshadowed are the many good Americans engaged in promoting the arts in all forms — people who have dedicated themselves to the qualities of life that encourage diversity and harmony in daily living. Much of what they do is seldom flashed across the headlines, but their work keeps hope alive that America will not allow itself to dissolve into a nightmare of wondering each night when the next trigger will be pulled with deadly consequences.

Perhaps the real nightmare is that the US Government, which should be initiating dramatic action to ban all weapons of war from coming into civilian ownership, seems willing to look the other way to retain political support.

This simply means that gun sales and powerful weapons are viewed as more important than human lives. At least that is the perception of many in that country.

With that in mind, the gun issue in America should be a concern for all because bullets have no eyes.