-Based Position as to the Gun Control and Gun Ban - Research Paper Example

 Research-Based Position Essay: Gun Control versus Gun Ban Introduction One of the most controversial issues facing America in contemporary times is arriving at a unified affirmation regarding gun laws. The urgency for the decision apparently stemmed from the successive violent deaths inflicted on very young children and occurring in places where parents ultimately presumed that they would be safe: in school campuses. The worldwide coverage of gun-related deaths to these children who haplessly died in vain generated different views on the need to revise gun laws in the United States to enforce more stricter controls and possibly implement gun bans on selected or clearly identified firearms. Apparently, the problem lies in agreeing what particular firearms should be included within the assault weapons definition that is being proposed by the federal government for a comprehensive ban. One hereby asserts that the federal government should first assume sole responsibility and jurisdiction for imposing a state-wide assault weapons ban, in conjunction with stricter gun control laws to minimize gun –related deaths and injuries. Relevant Statistics and Literature Review In the statistical information presented by Alpers & Wilson (2013), the authors disclosed that there have been alarming increases in gun-related deaths since 2000, as shown in Figure 1. It could be seen that the total number of deaths in 2000 was noted at 28,663 and increased to 32,163 in 2011, representing a 12.21% increase. This number of gun-related deaths clearly happened during times when state-governed gun control legislations were being imposed. Likewise, there are good books that provide accurate information regarding firearm laws in each of the state for the citizens’ awareness [Kap13]. In the study conducted by Fleegler, Lee, Monuteaux, Hemenway, & Mannix (2013), the authors aimed to determine the effect of each state’s firearm laws in terms of the number of fatalities sustained and reported accordingly. The fndings of these authors revealed that “a higher number of firearm laws in a state are associated with a lower rate of firearm fatalities in the state, overall and for suicides and homicides individually” [Fle13]. As such, there was a clear indication that there is a strong link that related higher or stricter gun control laws to the number of firearm related fatalities. Figure 1: Total Number of Gun-Related Deaths in the United States Source: Alpers & Wilson, 2013 The chart shown below represents the mortality rates related to firearm, the computed strength scores according to the number of legislative laws and gun control enactments, as well as the total number of fire-arm related deaths from a four-year period commencing on 2007 up to 2010. It could be evaluated that the State of Ohio has been noted to have a legislative strength score of quartile 3: from 5 to 8 laws, a mortality rate of from 8.1 to 10.1 per 100,000 population, and a total of 4,431 in firearm-related deaths. The highest number of gun-related deaths were noted coming from the State of Louisiana at 3,318 for the 4-year period and the least legislative strength score of 0 to 2 laws; as well as a mortality rate of 13.1 to 18.0% per 100,000 population [Fle13]. Figure 2: Firearm-related mortality rates, legislative strength scores, and total firearm deaths in the United States, 2007 through 2010. Current Position of the Government The current gun laws in the United States have been designed to abide by the Second Amendment in the Constitution which states that “a well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” (Legal Information Institute par. 1). The right of the citizens to possess firearms has been construed to be paramount as a means of self-protection. However, the government has likewise reportedly designed gun control legislations that provided authority to the different states to enact their respective gun laws [Alp13]. In the State of Ohio, for instance, it was revealed that there is no state permit or license needed to carry, to purchase, or to possess a handgun, rifle, or shotgun [Mon13]. The federal government has been reported to propose a new gun control law that would allegedly urge “Congress to approve an assault weapons ban and background checks for all gun buyers to prevent mass shootings like the Newtown school massacre” [Spe13]. Proposed Position One hereby contends and agrees with the new federal proposed gun laws that recommend the imposition of an assault weapons ban, as well as an intensified background check for all firearms’ buyers. In addition, one strongly believes that the federal government should assume sole responsibility, governance, and enactment of a state-wide gun control and ban legislation to ensure that all states would follow similar laws and prevent lapses and weaknesses in implementation, monitoring, and comprehensive implementation. Analysis There have been some proponents who actively support the new federal laws on gun ban and control. According to the survey conducted by the University of Connecticut through the Hartford Courant Poll, the findings revealed that “majorities favor a reinstated ban on assault-style weapons; requiring background checks for all gun sales; a ban on ammunition clips capable of holding more than 10 rounds; creation of a federal database to track gun sales; and taking steps to prevent people with mental illness from purchasing guns” (University of Connecticut, 2013, par. 2). Concurrently, there are still some groups who oppose the proposal. In fact, in Ohio, there were reports that indicate that the “Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association opposes new state or federal laws that would result in citizens losing any type of firearm — even assault weapons” (Jamerson, 2013, par. 5). In the article written by Shapiro (2013), the author alleged that banning weapons would not solve the criminal dilemma; but would in fact result to greater threats to the public. He relayed the experience from the perspectives of Washington, D.C. which apparently previously enacted a gun ban in 1976 but which resulted in the following: the ban “emboldened criminals because they knew that law-abiding District residents were unarmed and powerless to defend themselves. Violent crime increased after the law was enacted, with homicides rising to 369 in 1988, from 188 in 1976 when the ban started. By 1993, annual homicides had reached 454” (Shapiro, 2013, par. 5). Recommendation and Conclusion Given the facts, statistics, and arguments regarding gun ban and gun control laws, it was evident that the current gun legislations, according to individual state’s prerogatives, are ineffective. This fact was corroborated by the increasing number of gun-related deaths and fatalities, both using figures from the nation’s perspectives and that from state documentations (Alpers & Wilson, 2013; Fleegler, Lee, Monuteaux, Hemenway, & Mannix, 2013). Actually, one is convinced that the issue is not merely a choice between complete gun ban or only gun control. There is an evident need to integrate facets of gun ban in specifically identified assault weapons and likewise, stricter gun controls in terms of background checks prior to sale, purchase or possession of firearms to ensure that mentally or psychologically unstable individuals would not be given permits to carry these firearms. Likewise, as asserted, one strongly believes that the federal law should be imposed on all states to ensure uniformity in legislations and in ensuring that gun-related fatalities and deaths are ultimately prevented. Overall, the paramount concern for enforcing gun laws is the protection of the people’s lives. When current legislations impose more threat and harm than safety and protection, there really is an evident need to change and impose stricter regulations for protect the wellfare of many. References Kap13: , (Kappas, 2013), Fle13: , (Fleegler, Lee, Monuteaux, Hemenway, & Mannix, 2013, p. 1), Fle13: , (Fleegler, Lee, Monuteaux, Hemenway, & Mannix, 2013), Alp13: , (Alpers & Wilson, 2013), Mon13: , (Montaldo, 2013), Spe13: , (Spetalnick & Holland, 2013, p. 1), Read More