The Case for Gun Control: Why We Should Ban Guns
The debate over whether to ban guns has become a contentious issue in contemporary society. Pro-gun advocate argue that gun ownership is enshrined as an right in the Second Amendment and that it is essential to personal freedom and self-protection. On the contrary, anti-gun advocates hold that the proliferation of gun ownership leads to an unnecessarily high risk of gun related violence and accidental shootings.
Why We Should Ban Guns
The Preventable Tragedies Caused by Gun Violence
Gun violence is a grave concern in many countries today. According to the University of Washington’s Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), in 2019, there were over 45,200 deaths due to firearms-related injuries in the United States alone. This works out to an average of almost 120 people killed everyday. Moreover, mass shootings, such as in schools, workplaces, churches, and other public gatherings, have become all-too-common occurrences, leaving grief and trauma in their aftermath.
The Impact of Gun Violence on Mental and Physical Health
Gun-related injuries and fatalities have detrimental effects on both mental and physical health. 95% of Americans who make suicide attempts do not commit fatal lethal-suicide, and having a loaded gun in the home puts individuals at 3-to-5 times greater suicide risk. Furthermore, when injuries involve non-death-woundings, such as gunshot wounds, they too can have lasting physical harm and disability.
Ease of Access and Gun Dealers’ Laxity
The ease of getting a gun is a well-documented problem.
An illegal person aged from 18 to 26 can easily obtain a permit to buy a gun even if they are not properly authenticated while over there around from 27 to 74 years old are also obtaining a permit in an unclear manner.
Gun deals are often conducted in under-regulated markets, taking advantage of the lack of background checks, and loopholes in laws.
To address these issues, government agencies and policymakers must explore ways to make gun distribution more transparent, accountable and secure.
The Possibility of Mass Shooters
Mass shooters generally have a history of troubling behavior before they even commit their atrocities. Identification of these red flags remains a challenge. Intervening in these crisis situations can be difficult
The 2014 Isla Vista shooting revealed that the killer had purchased 6 firearms in eight days, while the parents of the killer had mentioned to the authorities about behavioral issues.
The Comparison with Other Countries
Interestingly, many countries take a more restrictive approach, with strict gun storage and ownership laws like Australia, New Zealand.
Australia implemented a system of gun control after this mass shooting incident in July which led to the death.
The Case for Stronger Gun Control Laws
| Existing Laws | Stronger Legislation | |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for Purchase | Hunting/Pastime | Self Defence/Protection |
| Background Checks | Must be done, but for some, loopholes arise | Mandatory and thorough evaluations |
| Waiting Periods | Varies by state | Standardizing a 10-day waits |
| Mag Capacity | Unregulated magazines | Limit to 2-5 rounds |
| Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Rifle Magazines | Rarely regulated | Baned or heavily regulated |
Implementation stronger gun control laws would enable authorities to:
- Hold gun dealers accountable for irregularities
- Conduct intensive background checks on all eligible buyers
- Establish unified waiting periods and magazine constraints
- Ban or stricter regulate assault weapons and accessories
Conclusion
Prolonged gun discussion has led to an exhaustive list of statistics, illustrating the devastating impact of ease access to guns. Guns are not only a simple tool for self-defense: they can become instruments used for harm and destruction among innocent people. Limiting gun access ensures a safer and more effective way to reduce gun ownership and the harm it comes with. It is upon us to demand stricter weapons control and advocate for solutions that prioritize public safety ahead of gun lobby interests We must put an immediate end to gun violence-related tragedies
