IN the mid-70s when I lived in Karachi, I didn`t have a car, and I would walk around the city for miles without any anxiety.

Af ter the military coup, Gen Zia began to promote a gun culture. From that point forward, I began to experience uneasiness of the unknown.

Being scared for my family and myself, I decided to migrate to the United States.

Up until 9/11, America was a safe haven.

Af ter 9/11, uncertainties have changed the country so drastically that we all live with constant reservations.

As things continue to worsen, I am scared about what is going to happen to my children and grandchildren. I am scared every day when I wake up and read the local newspaper, or watch the national news, and see innocent people being killed because we have failed to enforce gun control.

I am scared to go to restaurants or attend concerts where some disturbed soul could open fire to make a statement. I am scared to see the ignorance and arrogance of our leaders who have failed to take measures to control global warming. They drop bombs and perform nucleartests so thatour defenceindustry can flourish.

I am scared for my grandchildren, who are born American, but who may be identified by the worst sort of pejoratives.

I am scared that one day the FBI will knock at my door to question my children or grandchildren, like they did with me upon receiving an anonymous tip. This was while I served the mayor of Houston as an advisor on South Asian affairs.

I wish we could live in harmony and peace with our neighbours. I wish we would pass laws so that people with mental illnesses cannot buy guns. I wish that automatic weapons were banned so that incidents like the one in Las Vegas recently, and the one in Sandy Hook earlier, can be avoided. I wish the wars in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq would end.

Manzoor Manny Memon Texas