Reactivating Federal Assault Weapons Ban - Essay Example

Reactivating Federal Assault Weapons Ban Introduction The recent killings in Norway by use of guns bought from America have again heightened debate on gun control laws. The “Federal Assault Weapons Act” that expired in 2004 played a very important role in regulating the use of guns and hence helped in deterring gun crimes. In the Norway case alone, 76 innocent people were brutally murdered by a single person who had easy and legal access of high capacity gun in U.S. the lack of gun control laws has made it easy for local and international procurement of guns. Despite the few merits of owning guns, it has become clear from the recent local and international attacks that federal assault weapons act should indeed be reenacted. This paper discusses reasons why federal assault weapons ban should be reactivated. Violence within America One of the most important reasons as to why guns should be controlled is the regional gangs in the streets of U.S. Since the expiry of federal assault weapons act in 2004, it became easy for citizens to own guns. It also created legal loopholes for weapon merchants to sell guns to both deserving citizens and criminals as well. This created the biggest loophole in American safety since guns became easily accessible to regional gangs as well. Gangs have since then grown exponentially and use of guns become a common phenomenon. Murder, homicide, juvenile, burglary, and criminal shootings have soared. Although proponents of gun use argue that gangs will still have access to guns whether the act is in use or not, it is evident that when strict gun control laws are in place manufacture, supply and use considerably goes down (Valdez, 2003). The attack on government officials is on the rise. Licensing of guns makes it possible for both good and bad people to carry guns to places that threaten the safety of government officials. Political, governmental and leadership ideologies have always been a source of conflict. Such conflicts need to be solved in an amicable way using official channels. However, easy accessibility to guns has made it possible for groups of people who have conflicting ideologies with the leadership to pose a threat to the leadership. Indeed the history of America contains incidents of assassinations of some of the best American presidents. Founders of America created an excellent leadership infrastructure meant to protect America against factions. However, it is now evident that such freedom against factions is going to drains through easy accessibility of guns. If the federal assault weapons act would be reenacted, considerable reduction in unregulated use of guns would reduce hence restoring sense of security against political assassinations and threats (Congress, 2004). Americans will live to remember the horrible case of Virginia polytechnic in April 2007. A single-handed man killed 32 people and wounded 25 people in one shooting incident (Ramirez, 2009). This and many other school shootings serve as a very good example of what happens to a society where gun control laws and policies have loose ends. Without stringent gun control act, young children, adolescents, and young adults who have not yet developed emotional control get access to guns hence posing a threat to safety of the community. Since the expiry of federal assault weapons act, assault weapons have gotten into the hands of young children both at schools and at home. Children become exposed to guns at very young age hence grow up with notion that government has no any ability to protect them from criminals. Furthermore, they grow up believing that violence is a solution for violence hence tends to develop violent behavioral characteristics (DeConde, 2003). On the other hand, children have since then become victims of violence acts such as rape and homicide. This is mainly caused by easy access and unregulated freewill on use of assault weapons. Families have been able to access guns easily and regulations on how to use them become increasingly loose. Arguably, this has been the greatest cause of domestic accidents whereby parents use guns against children. Moreover, children are also likely to get access to guns licensed to their parents and eventually use them aimlessly hence causing domestic accidents (Goss, 2008). International incidents born from U.S. made weapons The assault weapon crisis has not only affected Americans within their country but it has also gone beyond the territorial boundaries. Under the current assault weapons regulations and policies, guns are manufactured, distributed, and sold either within or outside America. It doesn’t come by surprise that the attack in Norway was executed using high level assault weapons and ammunitions legally bought in U.S. This creates an issue of security concern both at national and international level. If such incidents continue to happen, then it will only be a matter of time before the international community started reacting. The best thing that can possibly be done to prevent such a gruesome scenario is to reactivate the federal assault weapons ban. Middle Eastern conflicts The Middle East recent violence crisis serves as an excellent example of a society gone up in flames due to lack of control measures against such sensitive issues as gun control. Arguably, it is difficult if not impossible to control a group or groups of armed people rising up against their government or external threats. Hardly does a day pass without news of Palestinian or Israeli shootings and bombings. It is the primary objective of the any government to protect its citizens against any external or internal threat. Uncontrolled use of weapons by untrained and emotional citizens will only fuel the crisis rather than quench it hence the need to control gun use (Carter, 2002). Undermining America’s Image and Safety America has been the world’s “brother’s keeper” since time immemorial. It has always been on the forefront in championing for peace love and unity in the world. When use of guns within the country runs out of control, this image is destroyed. International arms control and disarmament measures will come out as a very big irony when U.S heads such functions and yet it cannot be able to control its own internal affairs. U.S should first mend its internal affairs by reactivating the federal assault weapons ban to restore safety against gun use before standing on the global frontline in fighting weapons (Carter, 2002). The lack of stringent measures against use of assault weapons also opens doors to more outside attack. Just like in September 11 attack. Foreigners can use the loophole in the law to register as citizens after which they will be allowed to poses guns. Continued uncontrolled use of guns would make it possible for future terrorists to use this as camouflage hence putting the whole society in jeopardy. Conclusion America has global image to protect and commitment to championing safety in the world. This calls for stringent measures against use of assault weapons. The recent misuse of guns manufactured, supplied, and sold legally poses a high risk to the safety of Americans and the world at large. The expiry of the federal assault weapons ban certainly exposed the community to regional gangs, criminals, serial killers, juveniles, potential terrorists, and factions. Additionally, the international community has also been put at risk. It is thus highly recommended that the federal assault weapons ban be reenacted immediately. Works Cited Condon, S. (2011, July 28). Norway massacre spurs calls for new U.S. gun laws. Retrieved August 1, 2011, from CBSNEWS.COM: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20085056-503544.html Congress. (2004). United States of America Congressional Record. New York, NY: Government Printing Office. Ramirez, C. (2009). FERPA Clear and Simple: The College Professional's Guide to Compliance. Canada: John Wiley and Sons. Goss, C. (2008). Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Valdez, A. (2003). Gun Control. New York, NY: Infobase Publishing.  DeConde, A. (2003). Gun Violence in America: The Struggle for Control. London: UPNE. Carter, G. (2002). Guns in American Society: A – L. New York, NY: ABC-CLIO. Read More