Introduction
It is important to note that the epidemic of gun violence is a uniquely American issue, which is demonstrated through comparisons with other nations. The Nashville shooting is a symptom of a significantly larger issue related to a massive and lucrative gun market in the US. The biggest problem is the active marketing, selling, and distribution of military-style weapons, such as the AR-15, which are specifically designed to kill as many people as possible in the shortest period of time. Imposing gun control on the gun lobby and manufacturers is not an infringement of the Second Amendment, and it is not a political debate but rather a public health issue.
Arguments in Favor of Gun Control
Firstly, I think the government should control guns because the word ‘control’ only means regulation, which is the government’s sole responsibility. It is stated that “the industry has done is to embrace heightened lethality as the foundation of their marketing efforts, and we are seeing the end result of that in terms of deaths” (Pilkington, 2023, para. 17). The gun industry is practically unregulated, and any sector without strict regulations causes public harm. With the logic of the pro-gun lobby, food, medicine, and water should not be regulated as well.
Secondly, I think one does not need a weapon to defend oneself from mass killing. The article writes that “anti-personnel firearms designed to kill the largest number of people in the shortest possible time” (Pilkington, 2023, para. 16). Following the pro-gun group’s arguments, one could say that tanks and HIMARS should also be for sale to the public so they can defend themselves unrestrictedly. There is a significant difference between self-defense and mass-killing capability, and the former can be ensured without the latter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gun violence in America is a public health issue that requires strict gun control laws for regulatory purposes, which supersedes any argument involving the Second Amendment. A person can defend themselves without having the ability to commit a mass killing. The gun market is highly unregulated and excessively militarized, necessitating the need for regulatory legal intervention devoid of politics, culture wars, and debates about rights.
Reference
Pilkington, E. (2023). Nashville shooting: What it reveals about Americans’ love of military-style guns. The Guardian. Web.