Humans have used weapons since the inception of this knowledge that they need protection against the threat to lives. The shapes and orientation of weapons have changed with time. In the early learning years, when the feeling of threat was felt, any sharp object, even bare hands, was used as a weapon. However, with the passage of time, the growing insight into the effectiveness of weapons has changed their use. Weapons for this purpose would have been useful because many nations have protected their sovereignty and freedom with the help of weapons. But this assistance turns into a negative entity when it is used against innocent people who do not have any information as to why they are being killed and what wrong they have done to society. The situations get more painful when innocent schoolchildren are killed as a result of mass shootings at schools. A growing trend has been observed, especially in America. The only option identified so far for controlling mass shootings is through gun control or a ban on guns in states.
It raises many questions about the human rights practised in developed countries like America. What are the reasons that these mass shootings are growing with the passage of time and that law enforcement agencies are just recovering from the side effects but are unable to prevent such heinous acts from occurring? There had been an impression that Arabs or Muslims were involved in the destructive event of 9/11, but those events are different from the mass shooting issue. Both types of incidents occur due to negative emotions and hatred towards society. This essay will discuss all the aspects of why America has been affected by the issue of mass shootings and what are the reasons which are creating hindrances in preventing such events from occurring.
The educational institutions are the places that are free from any type of prejudice against the races and ethnic groups. All the learners shall have the impression that they are equal in the opportunity to learn quality information at the campus and that no group is segregated on the basis of their race, colour, or language. Another major issue identified these days is the societal status. Many learners on the campus are facing the issue of isolation from their fellows, which often leads to negative feelings towards the masses. Apart from tangible factors, intangible factors like depression and anxiety disorder have been identified as the growing source behind these unfortunate incidents of mass shootings.
The American Health Association has released data that 33% of the population is facing the issue of anxiety and depression, and among them, 15% are adults between the ages of 13 and 17 years. This ratio has been calculated on the basis of the reported cases only. However, the figures for the unreported cases are alarming because depression cannot be detected from anyone’s physical appearance until and unless it is reported officially. In such circumstances, is it feasible to allow guns on campus when the mental stability of the individual is questionable, and no one can guarantee that the weapon he is carrying for safety could be life-threatening for others?
It is presented as a fact that weapons in the campus vicinity, whether for protection or any other reason, shall be banned completely. The individuals carrying the weapon or the people knowing are equivalently dangerous for the masses, and in such situations, the incidents of mass shootings will increase only despite the decrease. It is a general perspective in favour of carrying the weapon that at the time of need, the individual and the masses are able to protect themselves, and the law has given this privilege to every human that they can take any step in the name of self-protection, whether it be pinning down the threat. However, other measures that may be more suitable for controlling the situation shall be adopted, like hiring more security for every campus. The security personnel will be thoroughly trained and under the strict surveillance of the government. Thus, the weapons on campus in the custody of this hired security will not be used against the safety of the on-campus students. If the guns have to be kept on campus to secure precious lives, then why can’t they be in the hands of trained people?
The US government is spending the major portion of the budget on uplifting the safety and security of the citizens, and then hiring and deploying additional task forces shall not be an issue or additional burden on the government expense. Mass shootings have a negative psychological effect on many people who may develop this anxiety disorder. They will be killed in any such mass shooting even if they are not threatened, but this feeling may not support them to live their lives normally.
Even if the individuals are carrying weapons and the state is unable to prevent this from happening due to the government’s leverage, then a special task force along with a criminal psychologist shall be hired at the campus. The task force shall check the weapon’s state and calibre and shall train the individual on how to use it safely. However, the psychologist shall be able to positively motivate the users that the guns they are carrying are weapons for protection until and unless they are used against any innocent. This lesson shall be reinforced on and off along with creative activities so that the participants are able to better conceive the message transcribed through the practices.
America, having the statistics of a developed country, is still facing the issue of illegal weapon purchases. It is reported that, on average, 35% of the total population is carrying illegal weapons. Though the government has been taking all the necessary measures to control this situation and limiting the weapon sale and purchase, there has been a ratio identified like small gangs or mafia which are able to successfully sell these weapons under the table.
Thus, the only preventive measure identified so far which could be effective as well is to increase intelligence and security control. Each officer subjected to the particular area shall have complete information about the vicinity in which a new individual has entered the community and if there has been any different activity identified over the week, like any unknown vehicles coming in or going out. The more the security personnel or the domestic task force get involved, the better the dissemination of information will be. Thus, this information that the identification of the foreign element shall be immediately reported to higher authority and a strict intelligence check shall be maintained. The more the illegal sale and purchase of guns will be controlled, the better will be the safety of the masses of society, and it will help in preventing the unfortunate incidents of mass shootings.
