By Miette Wan - Hong Kong SAR
The issue of gun control has been integrated deeply into the fabric of American society since the country’s earliest days. It is a source of pride for many - whether for sports, hunting, or personal protection - it is a symbol of freedom. Alongside its benefits, many are familiar with the problematic issues of possessing firearms. Often, reports on these events concern the misuse of these weapons and raise arguments as to whether they truly protect us. However, before we get into whether guns have a prominent role in affecting the safety of the lives of US citizens, we first need to understand the laws and regulations regarding these weapons.
Historical origins of gun control
‘Gun control’ is a term used to describe a wide range of restrictions and measures aimed at controlling the use of firearms (Charles, 2024). The need for self-protection and this type of weaponry dates all the way back to Ancient Rome in 100 BC, where it originated. Roman Law was established to prevent armies from undermining and overthrowing civil authority (Charles, 2024). In fact, throughout history, there have been several efforts to limit these weapons. During Henry VII’s reign, restrictions were placed on weapons and defensive armour. More gun laws were introduced, such as limiting the size of guns, who exactly was qualified to possess guns, and when the English people were allowed to use them. In 1791, amendments were made to the US Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights, which granted people the right to bear arms. The first piece of national gun control legislation was only passed in 1934, as a serious massacre like the St. Valentine's Day massacre brought attention to the US Constitution to take action (Gray, 2019). Since then, more and more restrictions have been imposed as more and more assassinations have taken place.
US laws surrounding gun usage
According to The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, “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” (Charles, 2024). What this currently means for all 50 states in the US is that it is considered a legal right to carry a concealed handgun in public, deeming it a human right.
Gun control in the USA
We already established the fact that US citizens have the right to bear arms, but without some statistics, we are not able to actually picture the number of people who have guns in their homes. According to a recent survey conducted by Pew Research Center in June 2023, about four in ten US adults say they live in a household with a gun, including 32% who say they personally own one (Schaeffer, 2023). There are also numerous factors that cause differences in gun ownership rates, like gender, political affiliation, and race. Men tend to have a higher gun ownership rate as they are more likely to be the heads of families, and so ownership falls upon them more frequently, while Republicans also tend to have a higher gun ownership rate as they have a higher sense of safety and enjoyment when owning guns. (Schaeffer, 2023) Another overlooked factor regarding threats to public safety is the lack of attention paid to the effect gun ownership has on people’s mental health. There have been multiple incidents on the news where people have been able to own a gun even if they are mentally unstable. This is due to a lack of professional evaluation when it comes to mental stability, which allows deception and lies to seep through. Overall, what we can conclude from this is that a large percentage of US citizens are gun owners.
Now, the important question to address is: does freedom to own a gun truly benefit the quality of lives? Or does this pose a greater threat to the safety of the nation?
Positives of gun control in the USA
According to the Pew Research Center, gun owners tend to have much more positive feelings about having a gun in the house than non-owners who live with them. 71% of gun owners say they enjoy having one in the home, and 81% of gun owners say owning a gun makes them feel safer (Schaeffer, 2023). The numbers seem to reflect the beneficial sides of owning a gun. It gives individuals a sense of safety and security during unpredictable times, and it gives them the right to protect themselves.
Negatives of gun control in the USA
Despite the various positives listed above, recent research conducted by the Pew Research Center says otherwise, as it proves that Americans increasingly say that gun violence is a major problem in society, as six in ten adults agree (Schaeffer, 2023). This does not come as a shock to many people as reports on mass shootings have been hitting the headlines, with more than 470 shootings in the US in 2023 alone. This piece of evidence clearly shows that the numbers are rising, and it does not look like they will stop at any point without proper measures in place. The increase in numbers can all be traced back to the fact that buying a gun is as easy as buying anything else on the internet. With a simple click on the “I am 18” box, a child in the US is able to purchase this dangerous weapon without further authentication. Every recent mass shooting has caused an uproar not only within the US but all over the world. Calls for new gun-control measures like the Assault Weapon Ban in 2023 and reforms are repeatedly raised, and President Joe Biden commented on news media that “We have to do more to stop gun violence.” (Zurcher, 2023) Although most people would usually want gun laws to be stricter after the devastation of a shooting, many people, on the other hand, ask for looser gun laws in order for guns to be easier accessed for self-protection against violence and threats.
Conclusion
It is clear that although gun ownership might bring social welfare and security for the majority of US citizens, it is also a cause of devastating tragedy that results in waves of suffering. Self-protection is always necessary, but there are many ways to protect yourself without using firearms. The impact of unregulated shootings destroys the lives of friends and family and often results in a lifetime of trauma. Therefore, I argue that we should draw a fine line when it comes to gun ownership and discourage people. I also urge you, as a reader, to continue to raise awareness of problems regarding gun control laws. There is always room to reform flaws in rules and regulations, especially when it comes to protecting and ensuring a risk-free, secure future for children, adults, and, ultimately, the whole world.
Bibliography
"Gun Control." Britannica, 20 Feb. 2024
www.britannica.com/technology/gun-control. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024
"Key Facts about Americans and Guns." Pew Research Center, 13 Sep. 2023, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/13/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.
"Where Does US Gun Control Go from Here?" BBC, 13 Apr. 2023, www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-61591236. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.
"Timeline of the Major Gun Control Laws in America." Times, 30 Apr. 2019, time.com/5169210/us-gun-control-laws-history-timeline/. Accessed 22 Feb. 2024.
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