Executive Summary
Many individuals fight passionately for the protection of the second amendment‐the right to bear arms‐in a society with circumstances and weaponry that has evolved in the past two hundred years. Over the decades many gun laws have been enacted, including the Brady Act, with a goal to decrease the amount of violence and deaths like Sandy Hook through measures such as background checks. Although this is a step in the right direction, our present society needs more gun law regulation to combat modern dangers, rather than those of a past society.
Introduction
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, as well as many other gun laws, have been enacted to reduce the high rates of gun violence in the US. Yet, it is still an issue that every person living in America has to consider, because of the prevalence of preventable gun-related deaths. It may not be possible to predict and eradicate, but a key piece in continuing to address gun violence is to consider how tightening regulation can further decrease gun violence. Looking into the Brady Act and discovering its possible effects on gun violence may help us decide if reacting to mass shootings and high gun violence with tighter gun control can decrease the amount of suffering people.
Approaches and Results
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993) is one example of a gun law that intended to decrease gun related deaths by promoting backgrounds checks on customers who want to buy firearms from federally licensed dealers. A few examples of those prohibited from buying guns include, individuals who were convicted and served in jail for over a year, and individuals who may have extreme mental disorders. At one point, the Brady Act tried to expand and have people buying from private sellers, like gun shows, to get background checks as well. It failed to pass.
In fact, there has been a drop in deaths by gun violence since the early 1990’s. In 1993, when the Brady Act passed, seven out of 100,000 Americans died because of firearm violence. Years later, in 2013, the number dropped to 3.6 firearm deaths out of 100,000 Americans. It is not a simple matter that can be credited only to gun control, but standard precautions such as a National Instant Criminal Background Check System done by the FBI since 1998 is said to have prevented more than two million gun sales and potential disasters.
The US leads in the amount of violent gun deaths, with murder by gun-use being seven times higher in the US than in other industrialized nations. Most of these countries have more strict gun laws, and backgrounds checks are quite common. For example, in Italy in order to receive a gun permit you need to pass a criminal and mental health background check, and you have to provide a valid reason for needing a gun. Because of its complexity, murders and suicides by guns have not completely disappeared because of these laws, but are considerably lower than in the US.
Conclusion
Having strict gun control laws is not going to prevent tragedies by firearms, but it is a step in the right direction toward reducing the amount of people who die because a gun was placed in the wrong hands. While gun laws have been enacted, loopholes exist, and our society does not respond to mass shootings, high gun-related murder, and suicide rates as it should. If we take example from other countries, there is a connection between tighter gun control laws and lower rates of firearm homicide and suicide. Fighting for more gun control, whether by enforcing more widespread background checks or by other means, places more responsibility on the individual buying a gun and could lead to a further decrease in gun violence.
Implications and Recommendations
As with any issue, doing research and educating yourself on gun control is always key. More gun control could be possible in the future if citizens take a stand and speak out. Resources that could be of interest include learning about federal gun laws. Armed with knowledge, action can be taken. You can even write a letter to a newspaper, or contact your state and local representatives through email, Facebook, or a various other means. When an issue concerning gun violence presents itself, be active and vote! It is our responsibility to engage in this gun control debate.