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Gun Control in the United States
Introduction
Over the past few years, gun violence has been a prevalent issue that always seems to spark off a lot of contentious discussions. Much emphasis has been placed on the subject especially after the recent series of school shootings. Gun control entails regulating the selling, owning, and use of guns. Americans present differing opinions, both positive and negative, on gun control. These reasons range from, owning a gun being a constitutional right under the Second Amendment to protection against outside attacks. However, in light of recent tragedies associated with gun violence, failure to control guns has more negative than positive implications. With this understanding, this essay will an in-depth analysis as to why gun control should be an issue that requires much attention. The paper will also factor in what critics propose and what needs to be done about it.
Guns can be very dangerous in the arms of untrained civilians. It is no surprise therefore that the governments insists on training and educating civilians about gun safety way before people reach the legal age of owning a gun. 2005 saw well over 3000 deaths of children aged between 12-15 years. Even more worrying statistics is that over 800 of the deaths were as a result of suicide. However, early training on gun safety will not only prevent people from mishandling guns, but it will also ensure that such worrying numbers decrease rapidly. There were times when children were taught how to respect and not fear guns. They were taught what, and what not to do with firearms. This practice distorted curiosity among children which in turn prevented them from getting hurt. Moreover, ignorance is not bliss, and safety training helps keep guns out of the wrong hands.
Gun control also ensures that high rates of illegally owned guns reduce. Also, firearms will not fall in the hands of criminals. This can best be achieved by conducting background checks on all parties involved with firearms. For instance, States may choose to modify the relinquishment requirements for individuals whose guns have once been used to commit heinous crimes. California in 2015 reported more than 3000 cases of illegally owned firearms. In this light, all the State governments need to work even harder in conducting detailed and in-depth background checks. In addition, states may adopt the kind of gun regulations used in Australia. This is where the Australian government implemented a mandatory buyback program that saw more than 700,000 illegal firearms being confiscated from the owners. In other words, reducing the number of guns from civilians, whether legally or illegally owned, will help reduce the number of gun-related deaths in the country.
One common perception about gun shootouts is that a lot of the perpetrators have mental illness. Such people have no rights to own a firearm. It then boils down to the fact that most gun sellers do not care whether a person is fit or not fit to own a gun. Moreover, gun sellers are in business just like any other with their primary purpose of maximizing profits. The government should intervene and ensure that people diagnosed with mental illness or have prolonged cases of violence should never obtain firearms. With this comes the issue discussed on carrying out vigorous background checks. In addition, it should be a policy that gun sellers only sell to individuals who are mentally fit. Furthermore, trusting a mentally challenged individual with the powers of owning a gun is a foolish and dangerous idea.
Critics who are pro-gun often argue that this is their constitutional right and they should be left to exercise it. The right to possess and bear arms without infringement is stipulated under the Second Amendment of the constitution. This implies that every American citizen, provided he/she is of legal age, can own a firearm. Pro-gun individuals use this argument to call gun control unconstitutional. What they do not realize is that this law is limited to military personnel only. It does not apply to regular citizens in the United States. Moreover, there are enough worrying figures that prove that the benefits of gun control outweigh the cons by far. Critics also believe that prohibiting guns will never do away with the gun culture in the country. Some people own guns with the aim of protecting their families, territories, and businesses. These are the kind of people that do not need to be subjected to gun control policies. However, there is nothing like gun culture in the United States. This statement may as well mean that there is a killing and suicidal culture in the country. Gun control is the best safety measure that businesses, farmers, and homeowners can adopt. The need to protect oneself through firearms would not require attention if there are few or no guns roaming in the streets in the first place.
Conclusion
Gun control is a heated topic that raises a lot of concern and a lot of contentious discussions. Both sides of the issue present convincing arguments that answer whether gun control is a necessity. This essay has argued in favor of gun control since it ensures that there are fewer crimes and less murder, especially within our schools. Therefore, the government needs to put in place even stricter rules. This does not only guarantee fewer death rates, but also a safe and secure future for our children.