Rationale Behind More Stringent Gun Control Laws

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Gun Control
Gun control is one of the most controversial topics in the United States, with proponents of gun control, pushing for more stringent policies on gun control, and opponents of gun control insisting the laws on gun control are against the Second Amendment. The recent mass shootings in schools and the subsequent demonstration by survivors continue to raise the public debate on whether or not strict gun control laws should be enacted. Both the proponents and opponents of gun control make some strong and valid points in support of their arguments, which is why gun control is such a contentious issue. According to Kalesan, Mobily and Keiser (1), different states have enacted different legislatures in response to gun control, with some increasing the regulation of gun ownership and others deregulating gun ownership. A key issue surrounding the debate is whether controlling gun ownership would reduce the number of deaths from firearms. It is arguable that crimes are perpetrated by people and gun control could not be the solution. According to Swanson (1233), ‘people control’ is the real action in gun control. The U.S. is ranked first among high-income countries regarding the number of guns owned by private citizens (Weinberger, Hoyt and Lawrence III 513). It is deducible that the country lacks stringent laws in support of gun control, partly due to the Second Amendment, and could explain the high number of gun-related crimes and injuries. However, implementing more stringent laws to increase gun control will reduce the number of guns in the streets and individual homes and ultimately, the number of deaths from firearms will reduce.
Deaths resulting from firearms have been on the rise, and a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that deaths from firearms are higher than deaths from vehicular accidents. In most cases, deaths involving mass shooting receive much attention from the media and the public in general, but a report by the CDC reveals that guns are not only used in mass shootings but largely in suicides and homicides. For instance, more than 70% of all homicides are as a result of guns (CDC), an indication that the number of homicide deaths contributed by firearms are significantly high and deserve more attention. Suicides by firearms also constitute close to 50% of all suicides (CDC). This is an indication that guns are a public health issue and while it is true that human beings are responsible for instigating crime and inflicting pain on each other, it is clear that the easy access and availability of guns have made it easier for people to commit suicide and homicide. As noted by Bauchner, Rivara and Bonow (1), suicide by firearms is usually more successful than suicide using other means such as pills, which are rarely instant thus leaving enough time for someone to be saved. Stronger gun control laws could therefore be the key towards reducing the number of deaths due to suicides.
Several studies indicate that regulating the use of guns can save lives, reduce the number of injuries, and decrease the cost of such violence on the healthcare system. According to Cook and Donohue (1260), states that have adop...