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If the founding fathers were alive today, they would be disappointed in our lack of action. The reason they decided to separate from Great Britain and write the Bill of Rights, was because they had the intent of making a change and standing up for what they believed in. Now, we have a chance to make a change, but yet we sit and do nothing. Young or Old, people are dying to gun violence, but nothing is changing. Recently, friends, family, and even I, lost friends or family to gun violence. My friend died the victim of a mentally destroyed man with a gun too powerful for the hands of a civilian. The Parkland Shooter, at the age of nineteen, was able to go to a store and by a weapon of war, despite his past documented mental issues. When the statistics are looked at, there were about 13 million guns sold in 2013, about 3 million of those guns were assault rifles. Think of all the dangerous guns in the hands of potentially dangerous people. It is incredibly easy to by assault rifles as well. All a potential buyer needs to do is present their i.d., answer a few short questions, and receive a background check that can be done in a few minutes. The shootings that have occured recently are a result of this lackluster security system that allows the mentally unstable individuals to buy of assault rifles that can fire more than 50 rounds per minute, even in the hands of an untrained gun owner. In order to stop future tragedies, America needs stricter gun control, better background checks, and a ban on assault rifles.
According to many studies, the United states suffers more from gun related deaths and incidents than almost all other countries. People are often unqualified to have a firearm and this action can cause fatal mistakes. A group of researchers at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, found that guns are were not stored safely in more than half of surveyed homes. To support this fact is a negative occurrence, another study stated that more than 1,637 gun related deaths occured in children in 2016. Almost 40 percent of those deaths were the result of suicide. Also, more than 38,000 gun deaths occur every year in the United States, according to the Executive Director Of The Gun Violence Archive. The United States is also extremely behind on gun-related deaths. During a scientific study, The Human Development Index found that in 2012, while other advanced countries average just 4.02 gun homicides per one million people, the United States averages almost 30. Also, The United States fails to control weapons which leads to the United States large number of mass shootings. This statement is proven by Adam Lankford, an associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Alabama, who conducted a research project. This project showed that while the United States contains only 5% of the world's population, it has more than 31% of large death-toll shootings To stop these unnecessary deaths we need to stop the selling of assault rifles and to tighten gun control. More than half of people who own guns do not even correctly store them. This is not okay.
Prohibiting the selling and ownership of assault rifles and guns with large magazines would decrease the number of gun deaths in the United States. A prime example of this fact is Australia. In Australia, the government banned and bought back semi-automatic guns for consumers. This, in turn, significantly lessened the amount of gun deaths. Their average amount of gun homicides is 1.4 deaths per million people. This comes from their lack of assault weapons and extremely strict gun control laws. This low number also can be attributed to Australia having a complicated six step process which includes: “Join[ing] and regularly attend[ing] a hunting or shooting club, or document that you’re a collector. Complet[ing] a course on firearm safety and operation, and pass a written test and practical assessment. Arrang[ing] firearm storage that meets safety regulations. Pass[ing] a review that considers criminal history, domestic violence, restraining orders and arrest history. Authorities may also interview family and community members. [Then,] apply[ing] for a permit to acquire a specific type of weapon. [Finally,] wait[ing] at least 28 days.” Then, and only then, can you buy the type of gun you get a permit for. Australia has very little gun deaths because of their ban on assault rifles and stricter gun control.
Despite the scientifically proven evidence that gun control does work, some people still disagree. According to long time gun owner and publisher of The Truth About Guns website: “Regardless of gun control laws, criminals, crazies and terrorists manage to obtain firearms. Always have. Always will. To believe otherwise is dangerously naive…. If we could pass laws that keep guns out of the hands of criminals and mass murderers, it would reduce firearms-related crime. But we can't. Gun control doesn't work.” Statements such as that one are often seen in anti gun control groups. However, it is wrong. A certain group of researchers at Johns Hopkins University state found that “"permit to purchase" laws, which include a particularly strong background check, reduce homicides, suicides and gun trafficking.” Scientific papers that look at firearm control throughout the U.S. almost always see that stricter policies and a ban on dangerous assault rifles helps to prevent unnecessary deaths. So, gun control does work. It can save lives and prevent deaths, and anyone who says otherwise is stubborn and incorrect.
The United states is behind the rest of the world when it comes to gun regulations and the ownership of assault rifles. This causes unnecessary deaths, such as murders in adults, and suicides in children. Guns can be put into the hands of those who don’t even know how to correctly store their weapons. This country sees more gun related civilian deaths than almost all others. When the data is seen, it is obvious that America desperately requires stricter regulations on firearms and a complete ban on assault style weapons. It is time to rise up. Call your representative. Write to your senator. March in the streets and chant for change. Attempt to make a difference. Now is when America needs change, so will you take part in it?