Malicious Intent Research Paper

The debate over gun control is not a new argument, neither is the existence of mental illness. There have been those who support and those who oppose gun control for many years. What has recently re-ignited the debate is an increase in mass shootings over the past few decades; one in particular is the Newtown, Connecticut, massacre. Incidents, such as this, fuel anger and fear, driving many to question the need for firearms in modern society, while others cite these incidents as a reason for remaining armed. The purpose of gun control is to limit the amount of violence in today’s

“Guns don’t kill people, people do.” This is a well known statement that is oftentimes considered true. However, it is not completely true. Someone who is mentally ill may be unable to make logical decisions and the perception they receive of reality may be tainted by the illness. Gun laws pertaining to those suffering mental illnesses should be more restrictive. Weapons such as guns make committing an act of violence, especially when there are multiple victims, much easier. It is difficult to assess the probability of a person to commit a violent act that harms anyone including himself/herself. Therefore, gun laws need be monitored very closely and made more consistent throughout each state in order to prevent violence that could

The mistaken belief that there is a direct link between mental illness and violence is disrupting the gun control system. Individuals with mental illnesses only cover a very small portion of violence in general, and even less with gun violence. Instead, the focus should be on criminals and drug users. “Individuals who have exhibited dangerous behaviors in the past, have a criminal record, or have a history of drug abuse, for example, are much more likely to commit future crimes” (Wolf, 2015, p.851-878). The reason the government is focusing on certain groups of people are to predict future violence, so if they limit the ability of the mentally ill to purchase weapons they are thinking it will reduce gun violence. This hypothesis would not make a significant dent in the gun violence problem of the United States, because again the mentally ill only make up a very small portion. The shooter of Sandy Hook middle school used his mother’s legally purchased weapons and ammunition to commit the murder, even if the ban of the mentally ill were in place it would not resolve the problem. The only way to make sure future mass shooting done by someone with schizophrenia, or other severe illnesses is to fund the mental health programs, and at the moment the country is doing the exact opposite. “Unfortunately, funding for mental health care has diminished significantly; over the past few years states have cut approximately $4.35 billion from their mental health care budgets” (Wolf, 2015, p.851-878). The best way to stop violence is to recognize there is a

After recent tragic events, such as the mass shooting that took place at a musical festival in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 1st, 2017, which left over 50 people dead, and over 500 others injured (Bui, Zapotosky and Barrett), the topic of stricter gun controls in America has become a controversial topic for many people in our society. Those in favor of stricter gun controls believe that by implementing laws that would make it more difficult for the average person to purchase and own guns, the result would be a decreased number of mass shootings and other gun deaths in our country. Typically, with these proposed laws, it is suggested that potential gun owners should be required to undergo mental health screening, in addition to regular background checks to see if the person has a history of any mental illnesses or past crimes. However, reducing the number of mass shootings and other gun deaths in America is not as simple as just implementing new laws.

Next, it is important to ask who are the people that really kill? Is it the gun or the person? People who defend the right to bear arms often state that it is not the gun that kills it is the individual that kills. Some feel the answer lies in that we need to introduce stricter laws on who is able to apply for license to carry guns. Gun laws vary from state to state with California being the most restrictive state to Arizona with the most lenient laws. These laws include background checks, waiting periods, and registration requirements to who can purchase and sells guns. Even with these laws in place we have still witnessed an increase in the number of mass shootings over the past few years. Implementing stricter gun control laws will ultimately not eliminate individuals from acquiring access to guns if they truly desire. State governments may require licenses to purchase guns but there remains an underground and online market to purchase guns, which does not monitor whether a person truly has a license or not. Rather than focusing on implementing stricter laws for control and ways to make the purchase

Gun control can be a very touchy topic. In the past couple of weeks, school shootings have occured. 19 total mass shootings and something pops out from these suspects. In almost every suspect of the shooting has a form of mental illness. In order to reduce violence we must stop selling firearms to those with mental illnesses. Although they can plead the 2nd amendment, from their past occurrences; The mentally ill should not be trusted with firearms. In order to ensure this, the process of buying a firearm should be more complex, more in depth. As of right now, to purchase a firearm; You must be 18 years of age, they do a background check on you, and lastly you’ll need a gun license. There should be more to this process. Perhaps a mental check,a federal background check, ect.

It has been seen in other countries that experience terrorist attacks and mass murders that guns aren’t the only weapons. Another argument is that helping the mentally ill won’t stop mass shooters. This is true however, nothing will ever stop mass shooters forever. Helping the mentally ill can decrease how often these shootings and attacks occur though. The second amendment states that Americans have the right to carry firearms to form a militia for defense. Gun activists claim that there is no need for guns because America has an army to defend itself. It almost all cases, the military or police force is too slow to act before a shooting starts. “Gun legislation is not effective at keeping guns out of the hands of a dangerous individual before an act of violence occurs.” (Rosen.) This leaves only the people to defend themselves during this time. This is why people carry guns for self defense. “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun”- Wayne Pierre (Top Executive at NRA). People with the understanding of their situation know that it is wise to carry and operate firearms

Many people have different opinions about gun control and they may view this matter in different ways. Some people may ask, “What would we protect ourselves with?” Some people might say, “It’ll help save lives.” I believe that gun control will not help with the problems that we are currently facing. I also do not believe that gun control will help these shooting sprees that are occuring. The first reason why I believe that gun control will not make a change in our society is simply just wondering; when gun control passes, how many criminals or people with mental health issues, are going to give up their gun? The answer is none. Unfortunately, it would be too complicated for law enforcement to take away guns from all the people who already own them. According to a newsday article, it states that, “ There are about 270 million

“Overall, mass shootings by people with serious mental illness represent 1 percent of all gun homicides each year”(Qui, Linda, et al 2). Other things like banning assault weapons and not allowing violent convicted criminals to buy guns can also be a measure that may improve gun violence. There are also red flag laws that can put a temporary gun restraining order on person’s weapon if there are reports of violent and dangerous behavior. These laws are a way for law enforcement and families to intervene before mass tragedies

n the U.S. gun violence is becoming a very critical issue as death tolls increase. In 2015, the Unites States had an average of one mass shooting per day, meaning there have been no shootings in which four or more people have been killed by a single gunman. As hundreds of people die each year from gun violence, strengthening the United States gun laws in becoming a necessity to reduce violence, as done in other countries; however, because of the belief that mental illness is the primary cause of gun violence, political lobbying, and the Second Amendment, passing these laws may prove very challenging.

Gun owners are not of one race, religion or cultural background therefore, not one person can say who should have gun rights and where there should be gun control. Gun control should be a world-wide issue looked at from different perspectives. Who is to say what race or religion should own a gun and what race or religion shouldn’t have gun rights because even the people that have clear background checks and no prior issues with the laws, but with a flip of a switch something can trigger rage within them and they can go out and harm innocent people. We will never understand why this happens or what sets them off. Mental illness is most likely a start of why people lose control, but mental illness is easy to hide while purchasing a gun. There is no screening for mental illness prior to allowing a person to purchase a gun. There is, however a background check, but most of those are to make sure that the person doesn’t have any prior issues with the law that would stop them from being able to purchase a gun.

With the assumption banning gun control is highly unlikely, the government could implement an advanced security system among the United States. Luggage, cars and purses could be searched through a metal detector to ensure safety throughout communities. If this security search was implemented throughout neighborhoods, killers would be less likely to successfully proceed with their mass murder. Banning guns, would be far too complex to do. However, if the government established a more efficient and safer strategy to enable people from being granted a gun , then the rate of mass shootings and murders would decrease in

Offenders are as much a casualty as those they have deceived, isn't that so? All things considered, they do what they do due to destitution, or awful child rearing, or lousy associates, emotional instability or the accessibility of a weapon, correct? Indeed, no, says clinical therapist Stanton Samenow. Culprits are how they are on account of that is the thing that they do. From his experience, Samenow contends that regardless of the possibility that a criminal has an emotional sickness, they carry out violations since they need to do as such. Heaps of individuals have emotional instability, yet not very many of them carry out wrongdoings.

Gun control has been one of main debating topics for years. This particular subject is discussed frequently between our presidential candidates. How safe do citizens feel in the community knowing that it is not hard to obtain a concealed handgun and/or a handgun license? Citizens in some communities have to worry more about their lives rather than bills. It should never have to be that way for anyone. Some people are not in the right state of mind to have the privilege to carry a firearm. Sanity level of others should not be an issue within the communities across the nation. The government has the power to establish a stricter process when applying for a gun license. Those wanting a license to have a handgun should go through a background check, which is already enforced, and a psychological evaluation. In the past, the United States has had numerous cases that involved gun violence and insanity. Setting a more rigorous foundation for issuing out firearms will better the country tremendously insuring the safety of the citizens, requiring more than a background check, and having a psychological as the last step to be granted the privilege to carry a firearm.

It is suprising how bad gun violence is in the United States and how little gun control does to put a stop to it. Gun control is any law, executive order, or legislation that tries to stop gun violence by simply taking or restricting guns from everyone. The idea is if there are fewer guns in the US, then there must be less gun violence. “In the United States alone, 440,095 people died of firearms related causes of gun violence in 2001 through 2014 (Bower)”. This idea of restricting guns is to hopefully stop gun violence is supported mostly by Democrats and other people with leftist politics (Liberals) as a potential solution to gun violence. Laws like these often unfairly target guns like assault rifles (guns that are or were used by the infantry units in the military), handguns, and semi-automatic rifles (any rifle that has a magazine and only fires one shot per trigger pull) even if they have no relevance to gun violence. Although many people do believe gun control will work, it should not be allowed to take guns away from healthy and innocent American citizens. Instead, we need laws to get illegal guns off of the market and stop letting gun shows distribute illegal guns. Mass gun control seems like the simple solution to gun violence because fewer guns should mean less gun crime thinking, but it will only make guns a financial burden for civilians, allow for loopholes to be created, cause more guns to enter illegal markets which would make mass murders even more commonplace, and create a huge problem for law enforcement.