Introduction
Several debates have been raised on the efficiency of the existing gun control laws in the United States. The Newtown school shooting incident evolved the gun violence debate causing a public uproar to review the gun control laws currently in enforcement in the United States.
While it is a personal responsibility to treat human life with dignity, a legal challenge is invariantly faced by the state whether to impose stringent measures on gun control or establish the social root on the emergence of these deviant conducts like the Connecticut shooting. One fact however is that there’s need to establish proper legal mechanisms to provide a perfect framework in controlling the handling of guns by the citizens.
It is the interest of this paper to analyze some of the options the nation could explore with a view to improving the efficacy of the already existing gun laws. (Roleff 401)This would in turn, reduce the civilian deaths arising from gun violence in the US. Societies with reckless gun laws bear the brunt of humongous and intense socio – economic pressures.
Civilian mortality leads to loss of craftsmanship and pressure on the existing health facilities. Inability to keep the weapons in the right hands has led to immense civilian deaths; the uncontrolled gun use has also led to sharp increase in criminal activities thus posing challenges for various federal governments. It is thus important to underscore the significance of enforcing gun control measures.(Haerens 244)
Banning the sale of firearms to citizens
Firearms in the wrong hands are indeed very disastrous. A good percentage of the shooting incidences in the US are as a result of wrong people handling firearms. Most states in the United States have strict laws regulating the carrying and or ownership of firearms. However, the results of such controls have not been fruitful enough in curbing the mortality arising from gun vehemence.
Most federal states allow guns to be sold to the general public. However, the state performs the regulatory function. In states like Arkansas, citizens are allowed to purchase and carry firearms but under maximum supervision from the state. Other states allow gun purchase to the citizens thus exposing other non holders to abuse by those who own guns.
In my view, I strongly oppose the sale of guns to the citizens irrespective of their place in the social ladder; the sale of guns should be completely eliminated or abolished. Various states have adopted their own modes of enforcing gun control laws, most of these states, however, allow the sale and ownership of firearms if important documentation is pursued, however, in my opinion, there should be total abolition of the provisions that allow citizens to carry or purchase firearms.
Some researchers have argued against the complete banning of gun sales and proposed a system that makes it easy for citizens of good conduct to acquire firearms. In the states where the gun laws are relaxed, the crime rates are lower. However, the data has been refuted by anti gun activists who argue otherwise. (DeConde 227)
Banning of carrying guns in designated areas
Social institutions or gatherings should be sealed from the gunmen. In my view, the social gatherings are some of the targets for the murderers who are on the loose. These places provide a “fertile ground” for attack since most of the victims are caught unawares and unsuspecting. This is a key point in alienating the school gun tragedies that has since bedevilled the nation.
The act, school zone gun free, has been in enforcement since 1990. (Roleff 377) The act was adopted to prohibit the use and carrying of guns within a specified range around school zones, however, the laxity in enforcing this law has cost several lives. This ban should as well be extended to other social gatherings and institutions other than schools.
Events such as the unfortunate shooting of school children in Newtown Connecticut would have been easily avoided if there was a strict manner in enforcing this rule. In my opinion, the federal government must tighten its grip on enforcing this law- no gun of whatever type should be carried to any of the social places.
Tighten border controls strategy
The drug menace in the neighbouring Mexico has compounded matters for the law enforcers at the border points; several research findings have so far established that gun violence is perpetuated by drug abuse. Several fingers have accused various gangs of sneaking drugs into the United States- Mexico border thus fuelling gun violence. (DeConde 201)
Several pundits have argued that gun violence is predominant in the poverty struck neighbourhoods where drug abuse is predominant, the shootings and killings invariantly occur in the neighbourhoods where the hard drugs are found. Moreover, the perpetrators of gun violence have been identified as hard core criminals who abuse drugs or victims of immense drug abuse.
It is thus in the interest of the American government to seal the border points to curb the drug trafficking from Mexico into the United States since it greatly contributes to gun violence
Harsh penalties on gun violence perpetrators
It is the responsibility of the federal government to enact their own laws to regulate the handling of guns within their borders. (Haerens 311)The current gun laws have immense weak points that need to be tightened if credible results are to be achieved. The penalties for the convicted offenders, for instance, should be as harsh as possible to act as a warning to the possible perpetrators.
In the US, the minimum punishment for such offenders is as low as imprisonment for one month only. (Roleff 377) This, in my opinion, is far too low to administer justice and pose as a warning at the same time. The federal governments and the national government should therefore endeavour to enact much stiffer penalties to avert the crime.
Gun safety
For the licensed gun carriers like the police, it is important to draft guidelines for firearm storage. Research shows that more than 2% of gun violence cases arise from family feuds or disputes. (Roleff 377) Several cases have risen where the law enforcers themselves are involved in gun violence, it‘s therefore inevitable that proper gun storage mechanism is established for the licensed firearm carriers. (Roleff 377) The firearms should not be exposed in the house.
Conclusion
America has some of the best anti-gun legislation. However, pundits argue that the laws are “too liberal.” (Roleff 377) The federal and central government has to “tie the loose ends” to make the laws effective. It’s also important to establish the social root of gun violence to prevent gun violence. (DeConde 201)
Works cited
DeConde, Alexander. Gun violence in America: the struggle for control. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2001. Print.
Haerens, Margaret. Gun violence. San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Print.
Roleff, Tamara L.. Gun control. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Print.