An American man who moved from Texas to Ireland now carries a knife for “protection against crime” and has said that repealing the right to bear arms in the US will not end school shootings.
Richard and his wife moved to Ireland in 2020 and, since then, he’s been carrying a pocketknife on him.
He said that he is fully aware of the legalities surrounding weapons in Ireland, but feels that he needs it to protect himself and his wife.
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According to Richard, he has had to take the weapon out “under duress” on at least two occasions.
“It’s a pocketknife. It’s a knife that goes in your pocket,” he told Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live on Thursday.
“God-willing, I won’t have to use it for self-protection, but I would rather have it if that threat arises.”
Richard also said he uses it for everyday tasks, such as cutting “the ribbon on a gift for your wife” or “to open your mail in your car”.
“It is not a mentality. It’s a pocketknife. It’s a knife for your pocket,” he said.
Speaking about the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, earlier this week, Richard said a repeal of the right to bear arms will not follow.
He said: “The thing is that, if you take a look at this shooting, the people who are pro-gun are going to say, ‘Look, this is why I need to a carry a gun – because I can walk into a store and get shot by a person with a gun’.
“‘My child can get shot walking into school. I need a gun to protect myself and my family from that happening.’”
However, he also said that laws need to be updated to reduce the ease of buying guns, and that background tests must be conducted prior to sale.
“I agree that the laws are rather arcane that allow easy gun ownership,” he said.
“Gun owners should be faced with a decision. If you would like to exercise your right to own guns, then you have to wait when you go and buy one.
“You can’t just go into a store and come out an hour later with a gun. You have to wait.”
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