Gun Control: The Prevention of Mass Shootings Essay Sample

As the impacts of gun control become a more prominent topic in current events, it is imperative that we educate ourselves on both the positive and negative aspects of gun control. Citizens have the right to bear arms, as stated in the constitution (2nd amendment, Bill of Rights). This is the main cause for any disagreements over regulating the use of firearms owing to improper use. The public, on the other hand, make the decision; in order to discover the best solution and use for firearms, Americans must be willing to educate themselves on the consequences of gun regulation. 

Mass shootings are a serious concern in the United States, especially now that they are becoming more common. Even while school shootings are the focus, there are other issues as well. While school shootings are the most tragic, there are other homicides, suicides, robberies, and sexual assaults that occur as a result of people having easy access to guns. With 317 million civilians and 357 million firearms in circulation in the United States, there are more guns than people. Guns always seem to find up in the wrong hands; instead of intervening after the fact, we can assist prevent tragedies before they occur. We can make the process of getting a gun more complicated and truly identify who is appropriate to have a gun rather than just handing them out to people who are over the age of 18 and have citizenship in the United States. Some states perform a background check, which incurs a wait time, but this is not enforced and is even omitted when purchasing from private sellers. It would take less than an hour to get a gun here if you really wanted one. Gun control laws have been enforced in countries all over the world. In Japan, passing a weapons class, obtaining a doctor's note certifying mental sanity and drug testing, explaining why you need a gun to the police department, which also verifies where the gun is safely housed, and lastly receiving a certificate from the gun provider are all required. This may appear to be a long process, but it's necessary for the greater good because the people's safety is a priority in their or our country.

Several laws have been implemented to prevent some gun-related homicides; but, gun laws and restrictions do not always go far enough to prevent such awful tragedies. According to the Council on Foreign Relations website, the Gun Control Act of 1968 forbids people under the age of eighteen, convicted felons, mentally disabled, dishonorably discharged military personnel, and others from obtaining a gun. Furthermore, under the Brady Firearm Violence Prevention Act of 1993, anyone acquiring a handgun from a federally approved dealer must complete a background check. However, this is where some people have discovered a loophole. Background checks are not required for people who buy weapons from a non-federal dealer, such as a friend or someone on Craigslist.

Several other countries have resolved their gun-control issues, or at the very least reduced the frequency of gun-related crimes. For example, following the slaughter of 16 five and six-year-old students, including their teacher, Scotland enacted the Firearms Act of 1997, which was later strengthened (Jowit, 2016). The measure outlawed all handguns that used cartridge ammunition. This law dramatically reduced gun-related homicides. In addition, in 1958, Japan implemented a rule prohibiting anyone from possessing a firearm (Jowit, 2016). Shotguns are an exception, but the process is designed to be excruciatingly slow and complex in order to prevent individuals from attempting to obtain one. Despite the fact that all of these countries have significantly stronger gun rules, it is the government's implementation of these laws that keep homicide rates low. "Most guns used by criminals are either illegally imported or altered weapons," according to Mark Mastaglio, a firearms expert and 20-year veteran of the Forensic Science Service (Jowit, 2016).

Many Americans have been affected by mass shootings in the United States during the last several years. The victims of the massacres at Aurora, Colorado, Columbine High School, and Sandy Hook Elementary School have affected mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, extended family, and strangers. As a result of these tragedies, Americans have become increasingly concerned and interested in gun control and gun violence prevention. Gun control is a contentious issue on which many people hold opposing viewpoints, but what is the greatest answer for reducing gun violence in our schools, theaters, libraries, and other public places? "Should teachers carry guns in every school?" is an issue that has come up recently in discussions about gun regulation. 

Some people believe that arming teachers with extensive weapon training is a good idea in order to protect pupils in schools, while others disagree. However, mandating all teachers to carry firearms should not be mandated due to the possibility of mentally ill instructors, the encouragement of gun ownership for safety, and the discipline for safety in the school context. According to Jeffrey Goldberg (2012), author of "The Case for More Guns (And Gun Control)," when people are in danger, their initial inclination is to defend themselves if feasible, and if not, to flee. In his article, he claims that increasing gun ownership in a society with 300 million weapons is the only way to minimize gun crime because the country already has too many guns (Goldberg, 2012). He also says that anti-gun activists, gun-control advocates, and gun-rights activists should all work together to make the process of owning guns and measures to help reduce violence more precise (Goldberg, 2012). 

When people are in danger, their initial instinct is to protect themselves if possible or to flee if that is not possible. I believe that increasing gun ownership in a society with 300 million guns is the only way to minimize gun crime because the country already has too many guns. I  also think that anti-gun activists, gun-control advocates, and gun-rights activists should all work together to make the process of owning guns and measures to help reduce violence more precise. To reduce gun violence, a qualified person would have undergone extensive training, had their background checked, and be a responsible gun owner.

Gun violence has always been a national issue in the United States. In recent years, we have significantly increased gun power and the ability to purchase military-style guns, increasing the likelihood that criminals will be able to obtain weapons capable of mass destruction. Taking weapons away, on the other hand, would be a significant issue because most individuals purchase firearms for protection and self-defense. Many argue that it is humans, not firearms, who kill people, meaning that guns do not pull the trigger. Despite the fact that guns can be used for self-defense, the government should regulate who can buy guns because people who are prohibited from carrying firearms are more likely to commit mass shootings, and gun buyers in the United States are not required to pass a background check before taking possession of the weapon.