Gun Control in Us: a Challenge to the American Political Culture in Terms of Law and Religion

Ever since the beginning of American Revolution in April 1775, Americans have sought to create a nation with no ties to the British monarch and create and more, perfect union. They decided to create a democratic, republic government consisting of voted officials voted by the people, governed by a system of checks and balances with limited powers and the purpose of providing protection and services to its citizens. However, The Founding Fathers believed that should the government decide to eliminate civil rights, the citizens of the U.S. must be able to defend their rights. The First Congress created the Second Amendment, the right for an individual to keep and bear arms and the right for a state or local government to create and maintain a militia. However, the Second amendment is the most controversial amendment in the Bill of Rights as many people believed that the amendment only allows for state militia and not the ownership of firearms. Firearms have both directly and indirectly affected the American culture with both positive and negative effects. Some organizations have both protected our right to bear arms while others have protested congress to abolish the second amendment.

A majority of the American people feel that gun control laws will help reduce crime rates because the waiting period would allow time for a person’s temper to cool down. They also feel that gun control will prevent repeat offenders because when a person tries to purchase a handgun, he will have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire. The questionnaire will include questions about the buyer’s past, for example, if they have a criminal record or a record of any mental illness. If there is a criminal record in that person’s history, he will not be able to make the purchase. Restricting handgun ownership would also reduce crime, because guns are used most often in robberies and murders (Mayer 28). They are very easily concealed under a coat, or even in the waistband of pants.

Those that support the tightening of gun regulations use the increasing number of gun ownerships and gun-related incidents to argue their side. Recent studies show that approximately half of the homes in the United States possess a total of 223 million firearms (Bitto). Because of the high percentages of firearm ownerships, those that encourage tighter gun restrictions agree that the likeliness of such a weapon being used for crime is dramatically increased. 68% of fatal attacks from 2006 were completed with the usage of a gun (“Perhaps the 2nd…”),

The severity of the law on criminals will act as a substantial deterrent from committing any crime using a gun. So the penalty of gun crime is focused on the actual problem which is the criminal who use the gun to shoot or to threaten the victims. The severe penalty is one of the solutions which is expressed by Mialon & Wiseman (2005) to decrease gun crimes and increase the freedom of potential victims. Supporters of gun control laws believe that the control of guns is the only way to stop criminals, and punishment is for violators of these laws. As Cooney & Burt (2012) demonstrate that most violent crimes are committed by criminals who had previous arrest records, they also find that most of gun violence in U.S is only between criminals. Such facts demonstrate the issue lies in controlling repeat offenders and not in pushing for more gun control laws. The right of using guns for self-defense combines with applying more severe punishment to gun users could deter criminals and create more security to the

One may attribute the increased rate of violence in the U.S. to guns, and while this may hold some truth, the fact remains that the mere presence of guns does not cause violence. Gun ownership is at about twenty five percent per capita in Switzerland, yet the homicide rate was about point five per hundred thousand residents, according to the Swiss Federal Government. Violence rates in the U.S. are not just because of the presence of guns; guns and peace can coincide. In addition to this, tighter legal regulations do not necessarily reduce violence, as about seventy nine percent of gun crimes are caused by illegal gun owners, according to a study conducted by Pittsburg’s Graduate School of Public Health and the Bureau of Police. Why would one with the desire to commit a crime bother obtaining a gun legally when the same gun could be purchased

On December 15, 1791 the United States ratified the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights. This ratification to the constitution gave the American people the unalienable right to bear arms: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” (Acosta). In order for the country to remain free, the American people needed the right to protect themselves. This also meant from the government. The 2nd amendment gave the people the security that this right to bear arms could not be taken away by its government. It protected them from being taken over by a tyrannical government and gave

Various studies have come forth arguing the ratio of gun related deaths to amount of conceal and carry permits show that while gun ownership increased in certain states, gun related deaths and violence for that matter decreased slightly . While only slight, a decrease in proportion to the amount of the amount of firearms sold, to deaths is significant in the argument that more guns does not necessarily mean more violence. In come instance, individuals seem safer when others around them are carrying firearms, as this acts as a sort of deterrent system. If someone has the idea or thought to commit an act with a firearm or any act or illegal activity for that matter, there is possibility for an average citizen who had a firearm on their

Guns are a big issue and a topic that has been more important than ever in the United States. Some people believe that they should be allowed for self defense and protection, while others believe that guns cause lots of violence and that we really don’t need them. This debate continues to stir up as mass shootings continue to increase throughout the country. This includes the mass shootings in Charleston, South Carolina and the latest mass shooting of a news reporter and cameraman. The south holds the record of having guns in their households by 38% and is also the most violent region in America (Ehrenfreund). It is safe to say that states that have more strict gun control laws have fewer deaths from gun related

Therefore, gun control has been at the center of our country’s debate for many years. The two strong positions on gun control go as follow: The pro-gun control lawmakers believe that stricter or possibly placing a ban on gun laws would reduce violent crime. We all know that a criminal, who cannot buy guns, will steal, borrow or obtain it via other means. The anti-gun control feels that stricter or banning gun is not a solution to solve crimes; rather it place American citizens in a vulnerable position where they cannot defend themselves. According to a report of crime in America, the analysis of the FBI crime statistics found that states with CWP (concealed weapon permits) have reduced the rate in crimes as follows: murders rate reduces by

Further, despite the fact that gun ownership in the U.S. increased enormously during the 1990’s, there was a consistent, dramatic reduction of criminal violence. In fact, homicide and violent crime have plunged over the last 15 years. Considering that 18 of 25 countries surveyed had an increase of violent crime, America’s large decline is impressive. Moreover, Norway, Finland, Germany, France, and Denmark also have a high rate of private gun ownership, and the murder rates in these countries are as low as or lower than developed nations with less gun ownership (Kates & Mauser, 2007).

We begin with one of the biggest misconceptions on how more gun control actually affects both the United States and other countries. It may seem odd at first but stats and data about other countries and cities in the United States prove that the more gun laws and regulations they have, the more gun homicides there are in the area. The United States has the highest gun ownership percentage than any other country at 1.45 guns per person but our homicide rate is 103rd in the world at only 3.6 per 100,000 residents. Credit Data taken from the years 1994-2014 shows that American gun ownership rates have increased from .94 to 1.45 respectively and that gun homicide rates have greatly decreased during the same time period from 7.0 to 3.6 per 100,000 people. Credit

Gun control essay
The problem of gun control is hotly debated nowadays. Gun results in tens of thousands of deaths and injuries annually. In 2017, there were exactly 277 gun violence cases that caused death of more than four individuals. And just a week ago, a massive shooting happened in Las Vegas, which caused fifty more dead, and two hundred more hurt. This is the largest terrorist attack since 9/11, and the murderer is one sixty-four years old man with guns. Gun control once again at forefront of discussion following this tragedy. Many critics thinks it is necessary to control the number of guns that flow into the market, and they believe this will be an efficient way to stop these tragedies from happening, but there are voices in the society saying that guns don’t kill people, people do. They believe if a person wants to commit a murder, he could use weapons other than guns, so preventing guns will not stop the murder from happening, and people would not have the chance to defense themselves when facing danger. Personally, I think gun control is necessary, and it will defiantly make society a safer place, and reduces the chances of tragedies.

The Second Amendment of the United States’ Constitution states “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. The amendment was adopted December 15, 1791. The Second Amendment keeps the government from being able to impose dictatorship, while granting people the right to protect themselves. America was founded from rebels, those who opposed King George III and demanded equality. The Declaration states if a dictatorship rises, it is up to the citizens of the United States to demolish the threat to democracy. Through expansion and growth, America’s point of view towards firearms has changed drastically. What once was viewed as a necessity is now viewed as a threat.

Gun violence overall has taken a heavy toll across the country. America for the past decade has had an issue with gun violence due to the recent mass shootings. Leading the US to discuss and question the topic of whether there should be more gun control laws or simply more guns. Many US citizens have assumed that with gun control laws, there would be a definite decline in gun violence. However, others believe that if more guns are involved, the US can defend themselves from public shootings or any terrorist attacks. With this, these two sides both have the similar goal of finding a solution to this issue.

When handguns were banned in England in 1977 the crime rate did just so. “From 1997 to 2002 violent crime rates rose 29%, robbery was 24% higher and murders rose 27%. The crime rate in England is double of what it is in the United States” (John Lott). The change was even more drastic in Australia where “ Violent crime rates averaged 32% higher when the law was passed. Armed robbery skyrocketed 74%, aggravated assaults by 32%” (John Lott). The data presented clearly illustrates the need for less gun control laws. Certain states in the United States that have the fastest growth rate for gun ownership experience the biggest drops in crime rates. Fewer gun control laws allow more firearms to be in the hands of law abiding citizens and therefore the power is set in the average person and not of the