Gun Control Essay Research Paper For many

Gun Control Essay, Research Paper

For many years there has been an ongoing debate over what to do about gun control. Handguns kill between 20 and 25 thousand people every year, and that includes the 15,000 annual suicides as a result of these weapons. The reason so many of these suicides are successful is because of the presence of a gun. (Cochran, 189) According to the Violence Policy Center (VPC), “the United States has not so much a firearm problem as a handgun problem.” Clarke Cochran, et al, tells us in his book, American Policymaking: An Introduction, that the FBI data shows that “a handgun used in self-defense is 100 times more likely to kill or injure its owner than it is to stop a potential criminal.” (193).

What are the major policy issues in regard to gun control.

Cochran believes that, “the issue is how much a human life is worth against the convenience of a law-abiding gun enthusiast’s unrestricted access to firearms.” (192). James Meko, professor of criminal justice at Gannon University, believes that the major issue here is the constitutional issue versus social issue. The reason there is such a fight in regard to gun control is because of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which says, “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.” The purpose of this amendment was to prevent the national gov’t from disarming the state militias. It does not prevent Congress from regulating the private ownership of firearms. (Cochran, 192). Many people believe that this amendment gives them the right, as private citizens, to own firearms.

Another major issue, according to the VPC, is the fact that “the firearms industry is exempt from basic federal consumer product health and safety regulation. Guns are the only consumer product in America specifically exempt from federal health and safety requirements.” Every other product that is produced within the United States is subject to many tests by the federal government. When will it be time for firearms to be put through the same scrutiny as the rest of the products.

What is the government doing in regard to each issue.

Meko feels that there is a lot of talking going on within the government, but not action is being taken. He also stated that there are a lot of laws that are not being enforced. The reason for this is because the political parties alliances with their own causes. The Republicans support the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the Democratic Party is in favor or stricter gun control laws.

Cochran noted that in 1994 the Brady Bill was passed, requiring prospective handgun purchasers to undergo background checks and go through a five-day waiting period. The reason for the background checks is to prevent members of the high-risk group from buying a handgun. The high-risk group is any convicted felons or persons with violent mental illnesses. (193-194).

In a White House Press Release in January, President Clinton declared his plans to fund 500 new ATF agents and inspectors, along with over 1,000 federal, state, and local fun prosecutors. “The President with continue to all for much-needed reforms to our nation’s gun laws to keep guns out of the wrong hands.” He also said that he was going to ask Congress to: require background checks at gun shows, mandate child safety locks for handguns, ban the importation of large capacity ammunition clips, and ban violent juveniles from owning firearms for life.

What is the explanation of government’s inaction.

The response that Meko gave to this was the constitutional right. There are so many people who believe that it is their constitutional right to privately own firearms that they protest any restrictions placed upon them. The main lobbying group is the National Rifle Association (NRA). They are opposed to any kind of legislation that would set guidelines for storing weapons, let alone any legislation that would take away some of their choices as to which firearms they may own.

The VPC made the statement that, “most of the American gun control movement had give up on trying to ban handguns.” They are afraid of being seen as radical. This allows the NRA more space to do their lobbying, and causes an unjust perception of what the people actually believe in.

What are the major contemporary challenges to gun control.

Cochran states the two biggest arguments for opposition. The first belief is that gun control would not correct the crime problem. The reason for this statement is because guns are not the only deadly weapons. He explains that, “opponents of gun control hold that if guns were not available, potential perpetrators of crime would simply resort to other means.” Those that support gun control defend their position by stating that, “the possibilities of resistance are much greater in a knife or club attack, and requires physical proximity, than when one is shot from a distance.” (191).

Another reason it is believed that gun control will not correct the crime problem is the fact that any criminal who is intent upon committing a crime will find a way to gain access to any firearms they want. This would cause them to use illegal means and use them. The evidence that shows that most homicides are not premeditated counters this belief. Most homicides a