Stop Gun Trafficking and Strengthen Law Enforcement Act 2011 - Effects - Research Paper Example

Advocacy Paper, which Bill Is the Best for Easy Access to Guns (Which Has Led to Increasing Violence) The increasing problem of violence results from easy access to guns. In the history of the United States, guns have been part of her culture, as they were used as a tool for protection and for hunting purposes. At that time, the United States constitution allowed citizens to possess guns for protection purposes, as police protection did not exist. Today, the original purpose for carrying guns has changed, as individuals do not need guns to protect themselves due to the existence of police protection; neither do they need them to provide food for their families, as there is the existence of supermarkets where food can be purchased. According to the national institute of justice, in 2005 alone 11, 346 were killed by firearms, whilst 477,040 committed crimes using firearms. Therefore, guns are seen as a threat to the society, as they are often used for crimes other than self-protection. Assassinations are evident over the years, starting with the 35th United States president, John Kennedy in 1963 (JFK library and museum Para. 1). This made the United States government more conscious about the need to control guns. The easy access to guns has contributed to too many innocent deaths. In 1999, two teenagers, Dylan and Harris opened fire in their school, shooting anyone they came across; this was as a result of revenge, since they felt that students made fun of their dressing code and personality (CNN news Para. 1). The shooting claimed over 15 lives including those of the two shooters. This was described as a high school massacre (CNN news). Is the united law so reluctant such that teenagers can easily access guns? Strict regulations are necessary when purchasing of guns is involved. Needless to say, for those who have purchased the guns legally, the government makes safety locks a requirement for such owners, hence avoiding accidents at home. However, several policies address the issue of gun tolerance in the American society. Below is a diagram indicating the trend of gun related crimes from 1993-2009. Figure 1: firearm related crimes between 1993-2009 (National institute of justice). Arguments on Policies The constitution of America protects the right to own firearms; however, the availability of guns has contributed to gun violence in America. Reports show that over 29,000 people are killed by gun violence annually in the United States. An astounding 200 million guns are owned by the American citizens, gun violence is evident in schools, on the streets and at home. Various arguments suggest that the United States has reluctant laws pertaining to gun ownerships compared to other nations such as Britain, where gun ownership rules are strict. As a result, such countries suffer low rates of gun violence deaths (scholastic Para. 2). The United States government has enacted several bills that aid in reducing easy accessibility to guns, which has contributed to increased violence. ‘Stop gun trafficking and strengthen law enforcement Act 2011’ is one solution to the gun violence problem; it indicates that it is unlawful for an individual to possess a firearm illegally, and neither should a firearm be disposed to an individual who intends to use it unlawfully. In addition, it is unlawful for an individual to possess a gun if he has been convicted of drug or felony offense, if he is on parole, or probation. The act adds that violation of this law guarantees an individual 20 years in prison (H.R.2554, section 932). This act is likely to curb the easy accessibility of firearms in the country, mainly because firearms’ trafficking is the main cause of unlawful possession of firearms, which are used in crimes. This bill primarily focuses on reducing the illegal arms possession and encouraging the legal procedures of possessing firearms. When firearms fall in the wrong hands, crimes are likely to increase, and therefore, one of the contributing factor to gun violence is firearm trafficking. The enacting of this bill will hinder illegal possession of firearms; as a result gun violence could decrease. Firearms trafficking from the United States to Mexico have contributed to high levels of terrorism and crimes in both countries, therefore costing many lives, (senate joint commission p2). In addition, despite having over 8,479 licensed gun dealers in the United States, straw purchase is evident in the country which contribute to firearms trafficking. Elliot gun shop in New Orleans is a good example of illegal dealings that contribute to gun violence. According to USA today (Para. 2), when the shop was raided by federal agents, 2,300 fire arms were recovered, which were later traced to crimes in the area. Moreover, 125 of the firearms were linked to murders, while 517 were linked to drug crimes. The director of police research forum, Chuck Wexler, explained that the easy availability of guns had a negative impact on the streets of New Orleans. The court explained that Elliot’s shop purchased firearms illegally and thereafter, sold to anyone at low prices. The primary reason why ‘Stop gun trafficking and strengthen law enforcement Act 2011’ is effective as a solution is because, it addresses the issue of easy accessibility of guns. It seeks to eliminate illegal possession of firearms, which will make it difficult for Criminals to obtain them. This bill prohibits the transfer of a gun with the knowledge that the gun will be used for illegal purposes such as the case in Elliot’s gun shop, New Orleans. This bill will ensure that firearms do not fall in the wrong hands. Straw purchasers have always been a problem in the United States, as they funnel firearms to criminals and terrorists (Committee on oversight and government reform, Para1). This act will also prevent cross-border gun trafficking, which is common between United States and Mexico, and therefore, the bill will benefit both the United States and Mexico in reducing gun violence. However, this bill does not infringe individuals from owning firearms; it focuses on preventing firearms from landing on the criminal’s hands. In Mexico, over 2000 firearms find their way into the country, having been purchased from unlicensed dealers in the United States. The Mexicans take advantage of the weak US laws in most states such as Arizona and Texas, whereby, the number of guns purchased is not limited. Therefore, to end gun trafficking, firearms laws must be strengthened; Stop gun trafficking and strengthen law enforcement act 2011’ is a step forward. However, it ignores the minor but effective issues, such as establishing a background check of all the guns sold and end the bulk sales of guns common in the United States, which allows gun traffickers to purchase large quantities of guns. There lies other possible solution to the problem of easy accessibility of guns; “Gun show background check Act of 2011” is another solution. Gun shows are held regularly in the United States, which attract many people interested in exchanging or buying guns. However, these firearms are sold without records or background checks that would enable gun tracing (Gun show background check Act of 2011, p.2). Gun violence is also influence by such flea and gun shows; firearms sold in these shows are likely to be transferred illegally to unlicensed dealers and criminals. This Act entails that only licensed dealers can receive a firearm in such shows; however, incase of a transaction with an unlicensed individual, the transferor is required to record the transfer with the attorney general. The gun show promoters should also pay a registration fee before commencing with the promotion. In addition, the attorney general is granted permission to access the place of business of a gun show promoter, with the aim of checking records, without giving a notice. Penalties are also increased for record violations and on the violation of criminal background check requirements. In addition, an unlicensed vendor is not allowed to transfer a gun to another unlicensed person. In order to reduce gun violence, effective measures must be implemented in avoiding gun trafficking, which enables criminals to access guns. Gun show background check Act of 2011 emphasizes on the importance of a background check of the involved party, as this will prevent the guns from being possessed by criminals. Background checks will identify people who are barred by the law from possessing firearms, hence reducing gun violence. However, how effective is the background system? According to iwatch news, in 2007, Seung-Hu Cho shot 32 people dead; he however had a documented history of mental health treatment, which was not evident in the background system. Hence, the question arose as to the effectiveness of the system and why Cho possessed the gun despite his historical background. Most of the gun shows are the source of crimes; iwatch news insists that criminals use people with clean records to purchase guns for them, a move that contributes to gun violence. Therefore, the ‘Stop gun trafficking and strengthen law enforcement Act 2011’ is the effective solution to gun violence, as it will aid in strengthening the law, which will curb the problem of straw purchasers across the borders who are the main link to fire-arms trafficking. First, the government must strengthen its laws pertaining to firearms purchasing. Apart from performing background checks on the sales of guns, multiple sales of guns should be abolished, as it allows the traffickers to purchase many weapons from irresponsible gun dealers. Restrictions that prevent the irresponsible dealers from being punished should be removed. Nevertheless, the ‘Stop gun trafficking and strengthen law enforcement Act 2011’ will not only contribute to the reduction in gun violence, but protect the United States border security from the Mexican cartels who are involved in kidnapping and crime. Conclusion The ‘Stop gun trafficking and strengthen law enforcement Act 2011’ is the most effective solution to gun violence. The bill requires one to attain firearms legally, implying that firearms can only be sold to licensed vendors. An individual is also not allowed to transfer a firearm to another individual who has the intention of committing crime. Firearm trafficking is the root of all gun related crimes, as there are no records of such purchases. Therefore, eliminating gun trafficking is the first step towards a healthy and legal way of gun purchasing and usage. It is understandable that human beings need protection; however, a legal process should be followed in attaining ownership of a firearm. Therefore, only by enacting the ‘Stop gun trafficking and strengthen law enforcement act 2011’ can the problem of gun violence be eradicated. Works Cited National institute of justice. Gun violence; how prevalent is gun violence in America? 2010. Web. 8 December 2011. http://www.nij.gov/topics/crime/gun-violence/ Gun Show Background Check Act of 2011. Bill Text 112th Congress. 2011. Web. 8 December 2011. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s35is/pdf/BILLS-112s35is.pdf Iwatch news. Badly flawed background check system fails to contain firearms sales. 2011. Web. 8 December 2011. http://www.iwatchnews.org/2011/06/23/4982/badly-flawed-background-check-system-fails-contain-firearms-sales Brady center. Exporting gun violence; how our weak gun laws arm criminals in Mexico and America. 2009. 8 December 2011. http://www.bradycenter.org/xshare/pdf/reports/exporting-gun-violence.pdf USA today. Easy access to guns is tough battle. 2007. 8 December 2011. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-13-gunshop_N.htm Committee on oversight and government reform. Legislation Introduced To Stem Gun Trafficking. The bill empowers law enforcement to keep firearms out of criminal hands. 2011. 8 December 2011. http://democrats.oversight.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5376&Itemid=49 Senate Joint Resolution. No. 10. Amended in senate September 1, 2011. Amended in senate august 15, 2011. 2011. 8 December 2011. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0001-0050/sjr_10_bill_20110901_amended_sen_v97.pdf Scholastic. Is It Too Easy to Get a Gun in America? 2011. 8 December 2011. http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/upfront/debate/index.asp?article=d090307 Stop gun trafficking and Strengthen Law Enforcement Act of 2011'.Bill Text 112th Congress (2011-2012) H.R.2554.IH. 2011. 8 December 2011. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c112:1:./temp/~mdbs9PPoLb: JFK. John F Kennedy presidential library and museum. November 22, 1963: Death of the President. 2011. 8 December 2011.http://www.jfklibrary.org/JFK/JFK-in-History/November-22-1963-Death-of-the-President.aspx CNN news. As many as 25 dead in Colorado school attack. 1999. 8 December 2011. http://articles.cnn.com/1999-04-20/us/9904_20_school.shooting.08_1_trench-coat-school-roof-swat-teams?_s=PM:US. Read More