Introduction
The issue of gun control remains a divisive topic in the United States. Those in favor of stricter laws regarding the purchase and ownership of firearms highlight various challenges that many American citizens continue to face. Different groups that support the possession of guns cite or identify the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States as the main foundation of their arguments.
This law indicates that Americans should have the right to bear and keep firearms and that such a fundamental right should never be infringed. These aspects reveal that gun politics is a critical area that will continue to attract attention of different stakeholders, including leaders, citizens, religious groups, and human rights activists. The biggest question is: how can the U.S. address this issue from an informed perspective?
Background Information
Within the past three decades, the number of gun-related deaths, assaults, and robberies has been on the rise in the United States. For instance, around 39,773 citizens have lost their lives due to injuries that were related to arms in this country (Gramlich). These occurrences reveal that homicides, intentional offences, and criminal acts have been on the rise. Three-quarters of such deaths involved the use of firearms (Gramlich).
Gun suicides have been on rise within the past decade. The level of crime in different cities in the country has increased within the last decade. A report by the Pew Research Center revealed that the issue of violence in the United States was something worrisome (Quinn 959). This was the case since the U.S. was recording more gun-related deaths that any other developed country in the world (Gramlich). Although the rates were lower than the ones recorded in different parts or regions in Latin America, there was a need for stakeholders to take the debate more seriously and be in a position to have long-lasting or evidence-based solutions.
Gun politics is a development that experts need to examine from different perspectives. Americans amount to less than 5 percent of the global population (Lopez). However, these citizens own around 45 percent of all firearms in the hands of civilians across the globe (Lopez). The history of gun violence presents a unique perspective on this problem. In 2012, an unknown assailant shot and killed 26 people in Sandy Hook Elementary School in the town of Newtown (Lopez). From that day, the number of shootings recorded in the country has increased exponentially. Some skeptics still believe that most of the incidents and statistics revolving around the use of guns are not captured by the relevant government agencies.
Socio-Economic Problems
The purpose of a nation’s Constitution is to protect its people’s rights, liberties, and lives. The referenced Second Amendment remains a powerful policy or law that upholds or safeguards the liberties of the greatest number of Americans. However, this kind of a guideline has failed to protect the lives of children and adults. Such developments explain why it is the right time for the American government to identity evidence-based ideas and strategies for protecting all citizens, preventing crimes, and reducing deaths (Weller). The existing laws allow many citizens to acquire guns for self-defense or protection.
The social dynamics and economic developments recorded in America have the potential to trigger numerous disagreements. This is true since this country is one of the most diverse in terms of ethnic and racial groups. Problems of inequality, poverty, homelessness, illicit drug trade and use, alcoholism, and discrimination are still evident in different societies. These challenges create a vibrant environment for supporting criminal behaviors.
Personally, I believe that there is a need for the government to begin by implementing appropriate policies and laws that will address these socio-economic developments. When more people are empowered and provided with job opportunities, chances are high that they will be ready to collaborate and pursue their common goals. Appropriate programs focusing on homelessness, poverty, and inequality will deliver positive results and ensure that more people lead high-quality lives (Lopez). The availability of timely mental and overall health services will ensure that more troubled citizens in the U.S. receive timely services and avoid violent behaviors.
Following the shooting of Jaquarrious Roberson, you promised to undertake appropriate measures and present stricter gun policies and laws in the country. Unfortunately, this issue of gun politics is no longer a priority today (McKelvey). More deaths will continue to be recorded in the U.S. unless a new strategy is implemented in a timely manner. Personally, I believe that the involvement of different stakeholders and leaders will make it possible for evidence-based ideas and solutions to be formulated. More people will begin to examine the issue of gun violence from an informed perspective.
They will be willing to think deeply about the challenges and predicaments many innocent children and young people have to go through in this country. Over the years, the state has been reluctant to consider the nature of this problem. Many leaders in the U.S. have remained divisive over gun control (McKelvey). This remains the case since the current policies support a scenario whereby citizens are empowered and allowed to have firearms in order to protect themselves against crime. The focus on the Constitution has supported this decision, thereby affecting the government’s ability to intervene and present timely solutions.
Counterarguments
There are specific counterarguments that arise from this topic. For instance, some people indicate that the Second Amendment is something that should never be taken lightly. This is the case since it seeks to increase the safety of more citizens. Denying or preventing citizens from owning firearms is viewed as something inappropriate (Fallows). Those who support this divergent view believe that the government should respect and protect the fundamental rights of all American people. This is a clear indication that the issue of gun politics will continue to remain divisive.
Case Studies and Solutions
As the president of the U.S., it is necessary to appreciate the fact that legal frameworks are intended to serve the people and protect lives. Those who are opposed to the decision to control guns appear misinformed or insensitive to the real predicaments troubling Americans today. Every life of a child lost cannot be brought back. The absence of stricter laws addressing this concern means that more people have increased chances of dying in the future (Quinn 961). These facts should become the foundation for a honest discussion aimed at changing the situation and empowering all American citizens.
Many countries have taken the issue of gun control seriously. For instance, Japan, Norway, and the United Kingdom have implemented powerful measures to reduce the number of guns possessed by civilians (Weller). In Japan, those planning to acquire such firearms have to go through rigorous tests in order to ensure that they are unavailable to people with mental problems. These case studies explain why there is a need for the U.S. government to present a powerful action plan (Quinn 964). Despite the dictates of the Second Amendment, all stakeholders should collaborate to present evidence-based changes on the current policy. This means that the country will ban guns and make them unavailable to members of the public.
As an international student from a country that does not allow its citizens to use guns, I believe that the United States can consider such a model and borrow some of its key elements. My perspective is that the relevant agencies should institute stringent measures to certify and ensure that citizens have licenses for owning guns. When such a decision is made, only a small percentage of the population will be allowed to possess or carry firearms.
There should also be compelling or convincing reasons to support such an initiative. When these suggestions and solutions are taken into consideration, it will be possible for the American society to record minimal cases of gun-related violence and protect more lives (Weller). The participation or involvement of all key stakeholders is an evidence-based practice, such as politicians, religious leaders, and community members. The country can also examine the trends and outcomes recorded in different countries in an attempt to pursue this solution or policy change diligently.
As the leader of government, I believe that the adoption of these contributions and suggestions will play a positive role towards protecting more American citizens, reducing the problems of crime and violence, empowering individuals to pursue their aims, and promoting economic development.
Works Cited
Fallows, James. “A Case against Gun Control.” The Atlantic, 2018. Web.
Gramlich, John. “What the Data Says about Gun Deaths in the U.S.” Pew Research Center, 2019. Web.
Lopez, German. “America’s Unique Gun Violence Problem, Explained in 16 Maps and Charts.” Vox. 2019. Web.
McKelvey, Tara. “What Happened to Trump’s Promise on Gun Control?” BBC News, 2019. Web.
Quinn, Christine M. “Reforming State Laws on How Businesses Can Ban Guns: “No Gains” Sings, Property, and the First Amendment.” University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, vol. 50, no. 4, 2017, pp. 955-987.
Weller, Chris. “What the US Can Learn From 5 Countries that Have Vowed to Eliminate Shooting Deaths.” Business Insider, 2019. Web.