FEATURES
A Call For Change Chance
By Isabelle Katz and Wiil Reid
The arguments for gun control
The reasons for gun control are numerous, but the most oft-cited reason is that there are just too many guns. As of 2009, the United States has a population of 307 million people. Based on production data of firearm manufacturers, there are roughly 300 million firearms owned by civilians in the United States.
According to the Center for Disease Control, in America, gun violence causes 33,000 deaths a year. This number included 70% of homicides and over half of all suicides. For many, the prevalence of firearms and the dangers of gun violence in America demonstrates the need for a unified gun management strategy.
The complex argument for gun control can simplified: less guns equals less crime.
The Small Arms Survey and other corporations have presented data showing the USA has the highest number of firearms per 100 people(88.8), as well as the highest firearm homicides per 1000000 people (3.21). These numbers coincide with some of the most lax regulations on recreational firearms in the world.
Specific data also shows that states with less gun control laws, such as Missouri and Louisiana, have the most gun deaths in the country per 10000 people. This seems to prove that less guns would decrease gun violence.
Yet many proponents, most Americans in fact, don’t ask for the complete removal of guns from society, just for better background checks to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands. These “common sense laws” are supported by 80-90% of Americans including gun owners, Democrats, and Republicans alike.
To refute some of the most common pro-gun arguments: there is no data showing that more guns leads to less crime or that guns are needed for protection. In fact, a firearm in the house is actually shown to increase the risk of domestic abuse and fatal attacks on women, as well as the frequency of suicide and deadly accidents, especially with children.
Most people are not trained to use guns, so they are ultimately not helpful for protection and can even lead to more harm when used improperly. This is in contrast to countries such as Israel and Sweden, whose citizens are permitted to own guns but must first go through a mandatory military service where they learn to properly control and use their firearms.
Finally, the Second Amendment, often used to show how our forefathers supported gun rights, never specifically supports the arming of civilians. It rather is there to ensure that there is a strong militia to protect the country. It was also used by citizens to defend against wild animals and a tyrannical government. Moreover, when it was written, guns were far less efficient at killing than today, so mass shootings could not be anticipated.
Australia is an example that is often used to show the positive effects of increased gun legislation. Since their implementation of strict laws regarding firearms in 1996, such as registration and different amounts of control and ownership legality depending on the type and lethality of weapons, gun related violence has drastically decreased. Firearms as the means of suicide have decreased from 22% to 7%, and firearms as the means of homicide has decreased by 18%. The success story from Australia leads many gun control advocates to believe that tighter regulation on firearms will have a beneficial effect.
Although the data doesn't specifically state more gun control will decrease crime and homicide, a strong correlation exists. Proponents of gun control believe that the risks of unregulated firearms far outway any benefits they offer. They hope to use other countries and past state laws as examples to create a safer America that still protects its citizens’ rights and freedoms.
The March on Washington for Gun Control,
Photo courtesy of Slowking4
A Student Voice: Grace Clements, PDS senior
Q: In light of recent school shootings, what would you say to those who feel
like mental illness should be focused on rather than gun control?
A: “I definitely think that mental illness has to be taken care of… but I think
that it’s a fallacy to say people who want to commit murders will get guns anyway.”
“Yes somebody will buy a gun on the black market, but if you make it harder, it’s another step that somebody has to take. If things like school shootings keep happening, you can’t do nothing and expect that to change.”
Q: What kind of changes do you wish to see in America’s gun control laws?
A: “You don’t have to be registered gun holder to buy a gun at a gun show, and I think that’s harmful…you should have a license before you buy a gun.”
“I think you should prove that you are able to use a gun before you can buy a gun because we do that with cars too, so why shouldn’t you have to do that with a firearm?”
Q: How do you feel about the 2nd Amendment?
A: “It might be time the second amendment is changed. I’m not sure that the second amendment necessarily guarantees people a right to carry a semi-automatic into walmart.”