Gun Control

Gun Control

What is gun control?

Gun control refers to any legal measure that is intended to prevent or restrict the possession or the use of guns. Gun control is a very controversial issue in the United States, where possession of guns is protected constitutionally, but also where murder by firearm is very common. According to Brian Duigan, there are two sides on this issue: those who view it as infringing of personal liberty and those who regard it as a necessity for public safety. Those who support increased gun control argue that by limiting access to guns, crime will be reduced and lives will be saved. Those who opposed gun control say increasing gun control laws will have the opposite effect, preventing citizens from defending themselves against criminals who are armed.

Who supports gun control?

There has been a dramatic shift in public opinion on the banning of guns over the last 60 years. However, a majority of 46% in a poll say they are not satisfied with gun laws and policies in the United States and want stricter legislation, according to BBC News. Some controls, such as restricting the sale of firearms to people who are mentally ill or on watch lists, are widely supported by 90% from both political parties. The parties are  more divided over other proposals, such as whether citizens should have increased rights to carry concealed weapons.

Who opposes gun control?

In the United States, there is an organization called the National Rifle Association (NRA). This organization campaigns against all forms of gun control, arguing that by having more guns, the country will be safer. According to Brown and Igielnik, polling done by Pew Research says that about one in five US gun owners say they are members of the NRA, and it has widespread support from gun owners identifying as Republican. The NRA has a very substantial budget of $3 million per year to influence Congress members on gun policy, making it one of the most powerful special interest lobby groups, according to BBC News. Not just in lobbying, the NRA spends millions more supporting the election campaigns of candidates in politics who oppose gun control.

Where the United States stands in a global ranking of gun deaths

According to Laura Santhanam from PBS, in 2016, there were more than 250,000 deaths worldwide as a result of firearms. Half of these deaths came from six countries, including the United States. These six countries, however, only make up less that 10% of the world's population. 37,200 of these gun-related deaths occurred in the United States.

Attacks become deadlier in the United States

Since 1982, there have been 90 mass shootings in the United States, according to BBC News. The attacks in the United States have been becoming deadlier. Five of the shootings with the highest number of casualties happened during the past 10 years. Assault rifles were blamed for some of the mass shootings. These assault-style weapons were restricted for a decade until 2004.

Who owns the world's guns and how much do guns cost to buy?

Assault rifles are relatively cheap to buy in the United States. Among the arsenal of weapons recovered from the hotel room of the Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock were handguns and assault rifles. Handguns approximately cost $200 and assault rifles can cost $1,500. BBC News estimates that among the 390 million people in the United States, there are approximately 120 firearms owned per 100 residents. According to Anna Brown and Ruth Igielnik, another poll done by Pew Research shows that three-in-ten American adults say they own a gun. The United States is at the forefront in the amount of guns owned by civilians among every developed country in the world.

Why is gun control relevant to me?

I chose this topic because I am unhappy and heartbroken seeing news about gun-deaths  and mass shootings so frequently. It seems like every other month there is another shooting, with nothing changing to prevent them from happening. I want to find a way to end shootings, so increasing gun control laws seems like one way we can make that happen. As a citizen of the United States, shootings are so rampant that I do not know when the next one will take place; I just know it will be soon. Guns are so accessible that I fear for my safety whenever I am in a public place. I hope that gun control policies will become stricter to prevent needless deaths due to guns.

Community Affected

Ponaroth Eab

"I think we need stricter gun control, like making sure only people with non-threatening mentality can possess guns."

Farah Hasim

"I believe that there should be strong gun control laws in place. I feel that there is too many lives being lost to gun violence, which can be changed if stricter gun policies were in place. I do not even see a need to own guns in our society because of the fact that the 2nd Amendment was put into place during times of militia (which obviously does not exist now)."

 Works Cited

“America's Gun Culture in 10 Charts.” BBC News, BBC, 27 Oct. 2018, www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081.

Duignan, Brian. “Gun Control in the U.S.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/story/gun-control-in-the-us.

Igielnik, Ruth, and Anna Brown. “Americans' Views on Guns and Gun Ownership: 8 Key Findings.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 22 June 2017, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/06/22/key-takeaways-on-americans-views-of-guns-and-gun-ownership/.

Santhanam, Laura. “There's a New Global Ranking of Gun Deaths. Here's Where the U.S. Stands.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 28 Aug. 2018, www.pbs.org/newshour/health/theres-a-new-global-ranking-of-gun-deaths-heres-where-the-u-s-stands.