Amnesty International has joined countries such as Japan, Uruguay, Venezuela and China in warning travelers they might want to stay away from the United States.
The warnings come fter two mass shootings which claimed the lives of 31 people and injured dozens more.
“Depending on the traveler’s gender identity, race, country of origin, ethnic background, or sexual orientation, they may be at higher risk of being targeted with gun violence and should plan accordingly,” Amnesty International’s warning states.
The warning also says that the U.S. government is failing in it’s obligation to its citizens and those who are traveling to the country: “Under international human rights law, the United States has an obligation to enact a range of measures at the federal, state, and local levels to regulate access to firearms and to protect the rights of people to live and move about freely without the threat of gun violence. The government has not taken sufficient steps to meet this obligation.”
On Friday, President Trump threatened to issued reciprocatory travel warnings against any country issuing an advisory against the U.S. “We are a very reciprocal nation, with me as the head,” Trump said. “When somebody does something negative to us in terms of a country, we do it to them.”
Japan urged its citizens to “be aware of the potential for gunfire incidents everywhere in the United States,” describing the U.S. as a “gun society.” Japan has almost completely eliminated gun deaths in recent years, with strict rules and regulations in place. To own a gun in Japan, a person must first attend an all-day class, pass a written safety test, demonstrate 95% accuracy during a shooting-range test, and pass both a mental health evaluation and a government background check. Even then, citizens may only buy shotguns and air rifles. Handguns and assault-style weapons are not permitted. Every three years, the owner must repeat the safety class and exam.
Uruguay and Venezuela warned of “growing indiscriminate violence,” and “the recent proliferation of violent acts and hate crimes.”
Jenn Bentley is a freelance journalist and editor currently serving as Editor-in-Chief of Big Easy Magazine. Her work has also been featured in publications such as Wander N.O. More, The High Tech Society, FansShare, Yahoo News, Examiner.com, and others. Follow her on Twitter: @JennBentley_
