Mass shootings on the news has unfortunately reached a point where many of us have become accustomed to hearing about these tragedies. The deadliest mass shooting to ever take place in the U.S. on October 2nd in Las Vegas—leaving 59 people dead and over 500 injured—sparked the debate again for gun control laws. Some people call for guns to be completely banned, while others say that there’s not much we can do about guns because it is a guaranteed right in our constitution.
To understand gun control, we must first understand our second amendment, which states “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” In legal terms, the opening phrase about a “well-regulated militia” is a justification clause to explain why a right is being secured. But the “right of the people” is the operative clause allowing the right to bear arms to remain secured. |
But America does have a unique gun problem, having higher death tolls from gun violence through gangs, suicides, and mass shootings than in any other country and it’s about time we address them. People bring up the argument that countries with less access to guns have fewer gun deaths. For example, the Australian government did a mandatory purchase of 650,000 to one million guns after a mass shooting in 1996 and their gun deaths have rapidly decreased. This left many to wonder if this model can be implemented onto the U.S. But a crucial point missing in this argument is that there are more than 300 million guns in America. What programs could be created to confiscate these 300 million guns? And where will the government get the money to “purchase” them anyway?
Instead of outright banning guns, we should pass stricter gun laws and background checks. Currently, the Brady Act that was passed in 1993 requires federally licensed firearms dealers to conduct background checks on potential firearm purchasers. But there is a loophole since unlicensed, private sellers are not required to conduct these background checks. This means that convicted felons, domestic abusers, and other ineligible people can legally buy guns. Barring a state law that requires a background check for these sales, almost anyone can purchase a gun. Only 19 states so far have closed this loophole by requiring unlicensed sellers to conduct background checks on firearms purchases. It’s time that the other 31 states followed this action.
As George Washington stated in his annual address to the Senate and House of Representatives on January 8, 1790, “A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined.” With stricter regulations and background checks to purchase guns, we will be lowering the chances of gun violence without infringing on our second amendment right.
Instead of outright banning guns, we should pass stricter gun laws and background checks. Currently, the Brady Act that was passed in 1993 requires federally licensed firearms dealers to conduct background checks on potential firearm purchasers. But there is a loophole since unlicensed, private sellers are not required to conduct these background checks. This means that convicted felons, domestic abusers, and other ineligible people can legally buy guns. Barring a state law that requires a background check for these sales, almost anyone can purchase a gun. Only 19 states so far have closed this loophole by requiring unlicensed sellers to conduct background checks on firearms purchases. It’s time that the other 31 states followed this action.
As George Washington stated in his annual address to the Senate and House of Representatives on January 8, 1790, “A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined.” With stricter regulations and background checks to purchase guns, we will be lowering the chances of gun violence without infringing on our second amendment right.