The Influence Of Gun Control Laws In America

Statistical analysis about states in the U.S. proves the correlation between strict gun control policies and deaths related to firearms to the least extent. According to an article published by Richard Florida on CityLab, a research shows that states with stricter gun control have fewer gun-related fatalities. The study in the article was conducted by researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard School of Public Health. Researchers measured “legislative strength” of gun control policies in each state using data from Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Specifically, the elements that the researchers include when accounting for “legislative strength” are:

Guns in the U.S has been a problem for many years now. So much so that America is what comes to mind when people think about guns. America is the most known nation in the world when it comes to firearms, with citizens owning about an astonishing 270 million of the world’s 875 million firearms(Marshall). That is thirty percent on the world registered firearms. The reason why Americans own so may guns comes down to the second Amendment, which claims, “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.” (Rauch) This grants the citizens from America the right to own and buy firearms. Since this amendment is vague, it comes down to

Last year, then-Republican candidate Carly Fiorina claimed that states with strict gun laws had “the highest gun crime rate in the nation” (Robertson, 2015). The following month, President Barack Obama stated that states with stricter gun laws “tend to have the fewest gun deaths” (Robertson, 2015). The West might have been won with a Smith & Wesson, but in our modern society guns are the subject of much debate. While some groups push for fewer guns and more gun control, others insist that increased gun control leads to increased crime. Both sides cite statistics in support of their views, yet experts who have reviewed the same data have concluded that the data is inconclusive. The contenders on both sides don’t ever address the other factors that contribute to crime, such as poverty, racial tensions, a strained and overworked police force, and the deterioration of family social structure. As a nation, we need to move beyond the never-ending debate over gun control. We need to work out a compromise that will help law enforcement put a stop to these terrible mass shootings while preserving Second Amendment rights.

Gun control has not been effective in the history of the United States. Even with laws that restrict gun ownership, it will not deter or prevent criminals from obtaining weapons or crimes from happening. Statistics can back up both sides of the gun control argument, but in reality simply having stricter gun laws does not stop crimes. Even with stringent gun laws criminals will find ways around them legally or illegally.

Gun control has been a debated, revisited and revised issue for more than a century in the United States. Recently, after several mass shootings in the United States, gun violence issues are; yet again, renewed and in the forefront for the United States. This paper will consist of insight on gun violence in the United States and the newly imposed gun control policies by President Obama; along with, the arguments for and against the new policies and what roles both the formal and informal actors have played in the resolve of this; once again, disturbing issue.

Imagine this: you are in World History class at your high school almost falling asleep learning about Ancient China. It is a normal day for you and your classmates, until you hear an announcement from the principal. You expect the typical lockdown drill, but this situation is far from typical. A man with a gun breaks into your school. BANG! Several of your classmates are killed before this man can be controlled. You survive, but live the rest of your life thinking back to that day and wonder if you could’ve done anything differently. What you should be asking yourself is how did this crazy man get a gun? Although this situation is hypothetical, it has occurred several times in the United States. This is due to the loose gun laws of the United States. The Second Amendment protects the right for all citizens to have guns to form militias and fight against a tyrannical government. While this was built into the original constitution, it is causing many unnecessary problems in the U.S. today. Also, this definition carries little weight with militias no longer existing today. The United States should reassess gun control laws, resulting in decreased gun violence, and ultimately saving countless innocent lives.

The second amendment gives people the right to own a firearm. The founding fathers might have thought a gun was the best form of protection but many years have past since then and humans have evolved. Times are different and society is different. Technology has a big impact on people and how we think and all those variables can affect people with how they react in stressful situations. We have to consider the mental stability of those in possession of the weapons, it is important to keep the weapon away from loved ones or other people, and is the law protecting those in possession of the weapons or putting lives in more danger.

The United States have been “ranked first in international gun ownership rates with 88.8 guns per 100 people (about 270,000,000 guns total)” (ProCon.org. 2016). Additionally, the United States, in 2007, had “12,632 gun homicides (4.19 deaths per 100,000 people) and 17,352 gun suicides (5.76 deaths per 100,000 people)” (ProCon.org. 2016). What this shows is that both Switzerland and Finland had lower death rates due to their confining gun control laws. Hence, the United States should follow in these other countries’ footsteps in increasing gun regulation to lower homicide by gun and suicide by gun. Moreover, in a March 2016 study, “gun homicide rates in the United States were 25.3 times higher and gun suicides were 8 times higher in 2010 than

One of the most debated topics in the world today is the conflicting belief on whether people should or should not own and use guns. Gun control is generally defined as “laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms” (Gopink, 2012). The views and opinions of this situation vary across the world. Some territories set strict rules and difficult procedures to obtain weapons while others allow easy access. People are usually very opinionated about this subject, causing debates and conflicting reactions. Gun control is one of the most controversial topics with numerous approaches to how it should be handled.

For several years, gun violence has been an urgent issue that should be addressed. According to the gun violence archive, 307 mass shootings have occurred since January 1 to November 5. The deadliest mass shooting in us history had just recently occurred on Sunday, October 1. Steve paddock had purchased their guns legally in which caused approximately 500 people to be injured and 38 people had been killed. The congress is constantly being urged by people to impose strict gun laws for America. Gun control laws are a good thing because they set restrictions on the use of guns for citizens. America has around 270,000,000 guns in total, which is the highest number in the world. The American gun laws need reform. Imposing restrictions will

Incredible amount of gun violence has been on an exponential incline and has been a very serious issue in the recent years. Some of the hardest issues for gun control, is deciding on whether or not to make it stricter or ban all guns. Currently in the United States; passing new laws for gun control is in a standstill, thanks to politicians who do not wish to cooperate with each other. A vast majority of proposals have been made, but with little to none making it all the way to get passed. Another big challenge is trying to keep everyone happy, while also trying to put the U.S. in a safer environment to live in. The government needs to regulate the types of guns you can purchase and own, and who can purchase a gun or own a gun. These laws need to change mostly because times have changed, and America’s mental health system is currently not adequate enough. Which is why figuring out ways to contain the terrible unneeded violence is a must for the health and safety of the United States of America.

One of the biggest debates in the world ever known for today is the restriction on gun control and weather or not government and Obama should take away gun control or leave it alone. Just since 2013, there have been over 143 school shootings in the United States. Just in 2015, there has been over 45 school shootings in the United States. In some states, new laws have been added stating that if you’re going to buy a gun, you will need a background check. They do this for the safety of other people but not only that; but for the safety of that person as well. The United States government as well as Obama is on the debate on weather to add more strict laws for gun control in America.

On July 23, 2015, a 59 year old man opened fire during a showing of Trainwreck in Lafayette, Louisiana. He killed two people and injured nine other before committing suicide. This incident has opened the eyes of Americans to a new question. What has been done to decrease the amount of shootings after the horrific tragedies of the 2012 Aurora and Sandy Hook shootings? Congress has passed many laws to restrict the citizen’s right to carry a gun. The verdict still stands if these laws are helping the people or restraining their right to protect themselves.

Eliot Spitzer, An American politician, once stated, “Yes, people pull the trigger, but guns are the instrument of death. Gun control is necessary, and delay means more death and horror” (Spitzer, 2012). Spitzer must have been aware of the magnitude of gun violence and the need for gun control in America. The National Rifle Association (NRA) members believe that it is their constitutional right [ 2nd Amendment] to own guns and many mention that firearms are not the root of crime in the United States. Pew Research Center, in a poll on guns, showed that approximately 40% of the United States has a firearm in their home (Desliver, 2013). The NRA also suggests that firearm ownership is not connected to criminal violence or the increase in violence.

Although recurring debated, in special due to recent and recurring broadcasted mass shootings, the majority of people cannot reason whether firearms influence urban violence. Furthermore, when the topic arises in a discussion, it usually serves as a disguise to deeper value conflicts such as individuality versus collectivity; leaving the gun control debase aside because neither sides present strong evidences. Whereas gun control lies on collectivity values, having the choice to possess a firearm usually consolidates itself on the former but also as a necessity claim for some. Nonetheless the inner value one chooses to defend, throughout this text, by comparing countries’ firearm ratios, the afterwards of homicides indices where gun restrictions were imposed, and analyzing premises used by those who advocate gun constraints a reasonable conclusion that the any specific weapon limitation present minor to none influence on urban violence is attainable.