Type of paper:
Argumentative essay
Discipline:
Sociology
Do We Need Tougher Gun Control Laws?
For decades, gun control has been an issue with much contention in the United States. The nation has had a unique relationship with firearms, with many citizens supporting the need for an individual’s right to bear arms. However, the increasing frequency of mass shootings and gun-related incidents raises a critical question: Do we need tougher gun control laws? This essay takes the position that the U.S. needs to have stricter gun control measures to reduce gun violence. To support this claim, the paper will explore the need for more rigorous background checks, limitations on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, and the potential benefits of implementing red flag laws.
Body
One important issue in gun control is the need to do more stringent background checks before allowing someone to buy a gun. Currently, the existing laws have fallen short of adequately addressing this concern, thereby allowing people to obtain firearms without undergoing thorough scrutiny. For example, in the case of the Charleston church shooting that occurred in 2015, the gunman purchased a firearm even though he had a criminal record and documented mental health issues (Brown & Matusitz, 2019). Stricter background could therefore limit such cases by preventing individuals with a history of mental illness or violence from acquiring firearms.
Secondly, there is a crucial need to limit access to high-capacity magazines and assault weapons. Research has shown that high-capacity magazines have been used frequently in mass shootings, helping the assailants to harm a large number of people without the need for frequent reloads. Likewise, assault weapons can cause lethal effects in a short period. Reducing the accessibility of these firearms can limit casualties in potential shooting incidents. For instance, Australia has witnessed a significant reduction in mass shootings following a successful ban on assault weapons. The United States can therefore benefit in reducing gun violence by following this example.
Lastly, stricter gun control measures can be enhanced by implementing red flag laws. These laws empower the authorities to identify and disarm people at risk of using firearms to harm themselves or others. Although these laws have been met with controversies, they have proven successful in several states. For example, in a study done by the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, the result showed that the red flag laws in Connecticut contributed to a 13.7% reduction in firearm suicides (Stevenson, 2019). These laws comprehensively help in gun control by focusing on identification and addressing potential threats while respecting individual rights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the U.S. is faced with a critical decision concerning the implementation of stricter gun control laws especially with the escalating mass shootings and gun violence. This essay supports the need for stricter background checks, limitations on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, and the potential benefits of implementing red flag laws. By implementing these reforms, the U.S. made significant progress in curbing gun violence and creating a safer society for all.
References
Brown, S., & Matusitz, J. (2019). US church leaders’ responses to the Charleston Church shooting: An examination based on speech act theory. Journal of Media and Religion, 18(1), 27-37.
Stevenson, D. (2019). Gun violence is an obstacle to educational equality. U. Mem. L. Rev., 50, 1091.
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