pros and cons of having flexible gun control measures using the United States of America as the case study
With the exponential increase in the global population, more and more citizens have found it necessary to procure guns to reinforce their security. The drafting and implementing the laws and policies governing the issuance of licensed firearms have been enacted differently in the different parts of the world. Predominately, in the United States of America, several states passed legislation that makes guns more or less more accessible to the general citizens. This article will critically evaluate both the pros and cons of having flexible gun control measures using the United States of America as the case study (Lott, John Np).
The enactment of the Second Amendment in the United States of America allowed for the licensed issuing of guns to the general public. The eased restrictions have seen an increase in the number of firearms held by American citizens. The sole aim for this is to ensure insecurity and other crimes committed on gunpoint are reduced right from the grassroots level. This amendment enables citizens to play a critical role in helping the police keep the American streets and cities safe. Many studies have shown significant decreases in petty crimes like armed robberies, thanks to the effective implementation of the Second Amendment.
On the flip side, the United States has witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of mass shootings. The ascending rate of mass shootings is primarily due to the ready availability as well as ease of access to guns without thorough screening. This has created a loophole that underaged, as well as criminals, can access weapons for whatever reasons. Cases of pupils and students armed to the teeth within the schools have been on the rise. Different kinds of gangs have effectively used their freedom and right bestowed by the Second Amendment, ensuring they are heavily armed, hence increase the number of organized crime. The relaxed gun control measures have had a substantial negative impact on law enforcement agencies since the increase in the number of guns in the streets has tremendously made their work more difficult and complicated (White, Laura, et al. Np).
Conclusion
The enactment of the second has lately come under severe scrutiny, especially in the events of the several mass shooting witnessed within America. Innocent citizen is losing their lives, property and others left disable due to this act. Many lawmakers, including governors within the United States, have considered different ways of amending the second amendment further to allow more stringent requirements, such as background checks and age, should irreducible minimums while purchasing guns.