Gun Control Laws In The United States

Introduction

In today’s world, gun control is one of the most inharmonious subjects in the politics of America. Since last few years, events of mass shootings in the United States have increased rapidly and with each day passing and with the happening of each event where the shooters don’t even think about whom they are killing, contention grows between both parties who are arguing about gun control either they are in favor or against.

People who are becoming advocates for implementing strict gun policies in the United States prove their argument to be right by taking the help of one recent survey which states that out of every hundred people in the United States, 88 have the possession of guns, which puts everyone’s life in danger (Jessica, 2014). Recently a campaign was run in the in order to prevent gun control in US that is also known as Brady Campaign, finds out that almost 115,000 people get shot in the United States every year (Wallace, 2015). These shootings include suicide attempts, suicide, police intervention, murders, assaults and accidents.

People who are against the regulation of gun policies make their argument strong by saying that if the government imposed any strictness on carrying guns, our lives would be in danger as people wouldn’t be able to protect themselves in their daily lives from mass shooters or the terrorists in case if they encounter such situation. They believe that carrying a gun in daily routine should be made compulsory not on;y by the the states but also by the federal government, and the government should strictly implement this policy for the safety of everyone.

Laws about carrying a gun in the United States differ from state to state. Some states, like Vermont, Minnesota and Maine, state allow teens aged 14 to buy a gun without the consent of their parents (Jessica, 2014). Some states in the United States, like Illinois and Hawaii, have made rules that you cannot buy a gun unless you reach the age of 21 (Jessica, 2014). According to the federal law of the United States, to purchase a handgun from a licensed dealer, you have to be age 21, but in some places, you can buy a long gun if you are 18 (Wallace, 2015).

Discussion

Federal law of the United States clearly states who can carry a gun in the country and who cannot. Federal law states that you cannot sell a gun to a person who has ever been admitted to a mental institution eve voluntarily or in voluntarily, is declared a dangerous person to society, has been convicted of criminal offenses, or is a fugitive (Frank, 1968).

Gun control is one of the hottest and most debatable issues in the politics of the United States nowadays. In the past few years, incidents of mass shootings in the US, either in colleges or universities or in any other public gathering, are increasingly taking the lives of dozens of people. With the occurrence of each event, this topic again comes into the limelight, leaving many questions behind to which no one has any answer. Although many states have different laws for the regulation of gun control, but are still some key points for carrying a gun in the US (Gary, 2009).

• Is there any minimum age for obtaining a gun?

According to the Gun Control Act 1968, the minimum age for purchasing a rifle, shotgun, or any type of ammunition is 18 years (Wallace, 2015). At the same time, other firearms, like handguns, can only be sold to people of a minimum age of 21 (Wallace, 2015). All the states can increase this age limit as per the law and order situation in the states, but they can decrease the age limit set by the federal.

• Who can sell firearms?

Just like for the purchase of a gun, you should have to be of a minimum age of 21 to gain a permit for selling firearms. In addition, you should own a place where you can start your business. Like the gun owners, for the gun business, you should fulfill the criteria of your mental state and your conviction history.

• Does the state check the background of the applicant while the purchase is being made?

Yes, the GCA 1968 requires the applicant to fill out a form that is used for the check of red flags on the applicant (Frank, 1968). The respective state can decide whether the investigation will be solely made by the FBI or the state agency can also take part in it.

• What is the loophole in gunshow?

The law of possessing, receiving and selling guns is very clear. But still, not every person buying or selling a gun goes through a proper background check because the transfer of a gun does not require every individual to fill out the FFL, which makes the sale/purchase of guns dangerous.

Recent tragedies in Connecticut and Florida have created a chaotic situation in the country. Everyone in the country is talking about gun control. The majority are angry about these incidents and believe that the lost lives could have been saved if there were better laws in the country. Many believe that we can only remember those precious lives if and only if we make new rules and regulations so that we can save future generations from these types of incidents. Recently a survey was conducted on this issue which gave the following results (Micheal, 2016).

Explanation Of Terms:

• May issue: To get a permit for the issuance of the gun, the applicant must give a logical reason.
• No issue: Hidden permits to carry a gun won’t be an issue.
• Unrestricted: For a concelead firearm, no permit is required.
• Shall issue: Related authorities should allow the citizens to carry a weapon who are meeting the requirements of the law.

Arguments For The Issuance Of Guns

• According to the 2nd amendment in the Constitution of the United States, every citizen who has no mental issues and has a clear history can carry a firearm. One of its clauses states that “Well regulated and organized militia is necessary for the security and well being of a free state.
• People have the right to carry a gun to protect themselves. For example, if any terrorist enters a college or university for a mass shooting, he or she can be stopped if people have guns for their own protection. In addition, a recent study has shown that ownership of a fireman has no connection with any homicidal activity.
• Shooting and hunting are legal sports that also increase one’s skills. In addition, these sports also help to stop the population of such species that can become a problem for the human race. This also helps people to get meat to eat.
• Selling of firearms and sports related to guns is a big support to the economy. The federal government collects revenue of around $123 million from this industry. This industry provides employment to over 40,000 people (Benjamen, 2017). In addition, it also provides revenue of $525 million that is collected from the dealers and the gun owners for the issuance of licenses and against yearly fees for those licenses (Benjamen, 2017).

Arguments Against The Issuance Of Guns

• Many issues have been seen by the Supreme Court more than once. The laws are made to be changed as per the situation as every rule and regulation cannot fit every situation. If there comes an amendment in the social justice laws, then why not in the Gun Control Act? The population of the United States is increasing rapidly. Shouldn’t the laws be amended as per the situation?
• A recent study reveals that there are chances that you will get hurt by your own gun if you are about to get robbed. Getting hurt by the thing which you are keeping to protect yourself. Carrying a gun is putting your life at risk. So why should we carry it?
• To control the animal population, hunting is not a legal process. Many of the animals are being attacked by natural predators like coyotes (Micheal, 2016). Hunting is just a way to destroy the animal species.
• Hunters and gun owners should not be allowed to roam in the city while carrying their guns, as it could be dangerous for everyone. What if they get involved in a fight and start shooting at their opponent?

Issuance of the permit to carry a gun is not an issue. The major issue that we are currently facing is how to get benefits from that permit. We have seen in our lives that most of the time, people start fighting with each other on very small issues and start shooting at each other with their guns, which ultimately becomes a matter of self-defence. People are not killed by the guns but by the people themselves. So, we have to become a supporter of gun control in order to stop violence in our society. Although we are facing many incidents of mass shootings in public gatherings, giving guns to the hands of everyone is the solution to this issue.

Conclusions

There always comes a defining moment in everyone’s life. Where we have to show how we look towards the world and how we react to the problems that our society is facing. We have to opt for utilitarianism, i.e., do maximum good for the maximum number of people. We are facing many problems in our society, and mass shooting is one of them. But to give guns in everyone’s hands is not the solution. Doing this will generate many other problems for which we have to find more solutions, which will cause more problems, and the circle goes on. So still we have time to control this issue and make our society peaceful.

Works Cited

Zimring, Frank. “Is gun control likely to reduce violent killings?.” The University of Chicago Law Review 35.4 (1968): 721-737.

Kleck, Gary. “Mass shootings in schools: The worst possible case for gun control.” American Behavioral Scientist 52.10 (2009): 1447-1464.

Wallace, Lacey N. “Responding to violence with guns: Mass shootings and gun acquisition.” The Social Science Journal 52.2 (2015): 156-167.

Luca, Michael, Deepak K. Malhotra, and Christopher Poliquin. “The impact of mass shootings on gun policy.” (2016).

Newman, Benjamin J., and Todd K. Hartman. “Mass Shootings and Public Support for Gun Control.” British Journal of Political Science (2017): 1-27.

Rosenberg, Jessica. “Mass shootings and mental health policy.” J. Soc. & Soc. Welfare 41 (2014): 107.