Gun Control: The Cure for America’s Disease Shots ring out in the distance. Fear sweeps through the hearts of bystanders. “What happened? Am I safe? Where should I go? What should I do?” Another life has been claimed by guns. Another tragedy has been engrained in the minds of Americans. Unfortunately, life will continue to be this way unless significant change is made. America has watched guns tear its society apart for too long. Immediate and comprehensive gun control is an effective and constitutionally valid method of reducing crime in society, even though some may feel that it violates their Second Amendment rights. Before one delves into the heart of the gun control dilemma, he or she must first understand America’s long history relating …show more content…
In 1996, Australia created the National Firearms Act of 1996 in response to a major gun-related massacre. The NFA makes it illegal to own a gun solely for personal protection. A person may only own a gun if it is needed for a specific occupation or reason, such as law enforcement (Hirsh 88-89). Ever since the NFA was enacted, the Australian government has reported a 65% reduction in homicide rates and a 65% reduction in suicide rates. In addition, Australia experiences one-tenth of the number of gun deaths as America (Hirsh 90). Gun control, in particular the NFA, has been overwhelmingly effective in Australia. Additionally, gun control has proven successful in other nations. Criminologist, Greg Lee Carter stated, “Further statistical analysis of those data reveals strong correlations between gun prevalence and murder rates” when explaining a study conducted in thirteen nations that shows significant reductions in death rates after gun control was implemented (69). Carter later goes on to explain that these nations require extensive background checks and safety courses (Carter 69). It is important to note that the nations were developed countries, which is why some have questioned the validity of Killias’s (the main researcher’s) results. Killias’s data was used by Carter to formulate his theory. In fact, some of the data used by many opponents of gun control, including that of Gary Kleck, a criminologist at Florida State University, tends to show that a lack of access to weapons does not directly correlate with a higher death rate. This claim was derived because the study Kleck used did not involve developed nations (Carter 69). While his methodology is appropriate in a certain context, its use in relation to America remains limited, given America’s developed status and number of guns in
Guns are one of the most controversial and debated-upon topics in America today. In the Constitution, Americans are given “the right to bear arms,” and many Americans are proud of and believe strongly in that right. Though, that right has been constantly misused. Homicides by gun are at a higher rate in the United States than any other country in the world, mass shootings are at an all time high (many of which have occurred in the past two years alone), and terrorism has been at an all-time high. So, naturally, it is a topic that needs to be discussed. In the articles Change Your Gun Laws, America (1), author Fareed Zakaria provides the readers with some harrowing statistics on guns and insight over how the U.S. laws on guns need to be managed.
People who appreciate activities like shooting competitions and hunting, use firearms responsibly. This use contrasts with other uses, which often result in consequences that can be both intended and unintended. With past and present mass shootings, and acts of bloodshed perpetrated with the usage of weapons; has triggered a focus on gun control that once again has been brought into the spotlight. The purpose of the ongoing gun argument addresses the crimes that are committed with guns. This issue of gun control separated people into two groups: those who believe that carrying guns might prevent some crimes and fatalities, and those who don’t. There are individuals who believe absolutely the reverse: that more crime and deaths
Laws regulating the use of guns in America have been a hot topic for years. Media coverage of mass shootings, acts of terrorism in and outside of the United States, and stories of families being murdered in the night has resulted in a desensitized, or perhaps, overly sensitized nation. People are scared and have centered their idea of safety on one of two main approaches: creating stricter gun laws so less crime occurs, or taking away gun restrictions so everyone can protect themselves against crime. Policies stemming from these vantage points begin by the agenda set by pertinent support and opposition groups, reflecting these approaches.
It appears as though the repetitive and unfortunate tragedies of mass shootings have become incorporated into the everyday life of American culture. We are forced to live in a heightened degree of fear, skepticism, and hesitation concerning our public safety. This phenomenon could reasonably occur in response to the vast ineffectiveness of the country’s current gun laws. Time after time similar misfortunes arise, yet few major changes are implemented to prevent them from reoccurring in the future. We cannot let this trend continue any further. Though some claim that increased gun control is useless and infringes upon the Second Amendment, it limits civilians’ weapons grade, obstructs those deemed unfit to wield such lethal weapons, and insures a greater level of security, thus it should be executed.
In the United States of America the right to bear arms gave birth to a phenomenon called the “gun culture,” the term coined in 1970 by a historian Richard Hofstadter, which describes America’s heritage and affection for weapons(1). Not only did gun culture become an inseparable part of American democracy, but also it is considered to be synonymous with independence and freedom, the most important values for American society. Even though the crime rate and murder rate in the U.S. is higher than in any other developed country, U.S. citizens oppose every attempt made to pass gun control legislation(2). However, it may sound like a paradox, but the crime level in the most liberal states, when it comes to gun ownership, is the lowest in the
Gun control has become an increasingly controversial topic in the nation due to the continuous debates relating to gun control and whether or not laws should be passed to make it harder for guns to be obtained. Guns serve for a variety of purposes that range from good to bad. Guns are not for everyone. Some individuals cannot handle guns properly, and some choose to use guns inappropriately. Lately, guns have become more of a problem in our society. There has been an increasing amount of shootings that have taken many lives and have wounded people emotionally, not just physically. Although guns are used for protection, firearms are reportedly used more in crimes. More and more shootings are breaking out across the nation. As a result, the
In America guns have been a part of the country’s society since it’s birth. Throughout history the citizens of the US have used firearms to protect the nation, protect their families, hunt for food and engage in sporting activities. The issue of Guns and gun control is complex. Weighing the rights and liberties of the individual against the welfare and safety of the public has always been a precarious balancing act. In the United States, gun control is one of these tumultuous issues that has both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. Those parties in favor of gun ownership and the freedom to use and keep arms, rely on the fact that the provision for such rights is enshrined in their constitution. In this climate of
Eighty-nine people depart from this earth due to gun violence in the US every day. From school children, to victims of domestic violence, to people going about their daily lives, this status quo is unacceptable. On Tuesday January 5th, 2016 President Obama announced that he would send proposals on reducing gun violence in America to Congress. His spokesman, Jay Carney, mentioned that this is “a complex problem that will require a complex solution.” The ability to own a gun is considered by some a birthright of Americans. However, with crime rates involving handguns rising each day it has become quite clear. Handgun laws must become stricter in order to reduce homicide and crime. The question is, “which solution in most effective in decreasing gun violence?” Gun control is a major conflict that is constantly reoccurring and the US is seemingly divided over it.
Many tragedies have occurred recently that have spurred the debate on whether or not we need tighter gun controls. On one side of the debate are the gun control supporters, who claim that the easy access to guns is the primary cause for high rates of crime plaguing the United States. On the other side are people who argue that gun laws will not prevent criminals from obtaining guns, since they will continue to get them illegally. Guns are used for protection when in the hands of people who obey the law. It is crucial to not hinder law-abiding citizen’s ability to possess firearms with stricter gun laws, since gun laws do not lower crime, and guns can keep people safe.
No issue has dominated America like gun violence. Since the start of 2017 there has been 384 mass shootings in America (Mass Shooting Tracker). These include the horrifying event in Las Vegas, where Stephen Paddock opened fire on a concert from his room at the Mandalay Bay. He ended up killing fifty nine people and injuring around four hundred and fifty people (Mass Shooting Tracker). It also includes the shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas where a gunman entered a church and killed twenty seven people and injured another twenty. Reactions to these types of events are fairly similar. An outcry for background checks and even calls for a ban on all firearms usually follow after these events, and for good reason. The loss of life due to gun violence is becoming all too normal in the United States, but to ban all guns would be ineffective and unethical. This article will show that gun control has not worked in certain places of America and other parts of the world. The article will also describe why it is not a viable solution to ban all guns because it would infringe on the Second Amendment. In addition, the article will also present the opinion of those who think that a ban on all guns is a viable solution. This article will now show examples of gun control not working in the United States and other places of the world.
Former Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer once said "Yes, people pull the trigger - but guns are the instrument of death. Gun control is necessary, and delay means more death and horror". Spitzer’s words makes one think: should we fear the person behind the gun or the gun itself? The majority of violent crimes that happen in America are not only caused by a criminal, but also the weapon in which the criminal is holding. America’s gun violence problem stems from the increasing accessibility of firearms. Many of the mass shootings in America could have been prevented if access to semi-automatic and automatic weapons were completely banned. Gun violence is an arising issue, and a change needs to be made concerning the gun laws in the U.S. Stricter gun control laws is necessary to prevent high accessibility to firearms and mass shootings, also research shows that Australia’s strict gun control laws are proven to be more efficient in preventing gun violence.
Guns have been in the hands of citizens since before our country was born. Recently though it has become a hot topic in politics. As with all arguments there is three sides, one opposing the banning of guns, one for the banning of guns, and one side in between the two that strives for compromise. This paper will answer questions on what exactly a mass shooting is, what is the United States legislation on guns, what do other countries do for gun control, and lastly what our stance is on gun control. This paper also aims to educate on the history of gun control laws in the United States and the causes and effects of the laws we have had,
It appears as though the repetitive and unfortunate tragedies of mass shootings have become incorporated into the everyday life of American culture. We are forced to live in a heightened degree of fear, skepticism, and hesitation concerning our public safety. This phenomenon could reasonably occur in response to the vast ineffectiveness of the country’s current gun laws. Frequently, similar misfortunes arise, yet few major changes are implemented to prevent them from reoccurring in the future. We cannot let this trend continue any further. Some individuals claim that increased gun control is useless and infringes upon the Second Amendment. However, it limits civilians’ weapons grade, obstructs those deemed unfit to wield them, and insures a greater level of security, thus should be executed.
Guns are seemingly everywhere in America. While they seem to like the ideal way to protect oneself, they have been shown to be more harmful than helpful. Under the current gun control laws in the United States, there have been too many lives lost. As many as 1,048 victims have been killed in all of the mass shootings. Guns have continuously proven to be a threat to the safety of Americans. Throughout all of these shootings, instability and irresponsibly have been traits that the shooters possess, 20-60% of mass killers showed signs of serious disabling mental illnesses. By implementing stricter gun laws, the United States can move forward to ensure citizens safety and keep guns in the hands of those who are responsible enough to handle them.
The United States stands alone as the most well protected country in the world. With about 300 million guns, no other nation comes close. By comparison, India, with a population of over 1 billion people, has the next highest number of firearms at 46 million. These American guns, which are enough for every person in the U.S., are meant to protect citizens from harm. In the past 50 years, however, the safety net supposedly provided by the millions of firearms in America has translated to the highest gun homicide rate of any high-income country—by 25 times (Newman). Additionally, 385 mass shootings, or one third of the worldly total, took place in the U.S. in 2016. The statistics are stacked against the Second Amendment, which states, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed,” but the statement is also where the problem begins. Because the Right to Bear Arms is written in the Constitution, people feel obligated to own guns and oftentimes take advantage of the laws to purchase several powerful weapons. It only takes one of those people to be a shooter to create another great American tragedy. Restrictions to buy guns in the U.S. have become more lenient over recent years and as a result, the number of mass shootings has dramatically risen. At the same time, other countries have tightened restrictions on firearms and have witnessed the opposite result. Stricter background checks, a reinterpretation of the Second Amendment, and time for a gun-obsessed