Democrats and Republicans have been debating about gun control for years. Democrats believe that if we can pass stricter gun laws then it will be a step toward fixing the problem of gun violence and mass shootings.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has claimed that stricter gun control will provide “solutions to save lives.” On the other side, Republicans disagree and Senator Ted Cruz has stated that the proposed laws seeking to require background checks on all firearms sales and transfers along with banning assault weapons are “ridiculous theater that will fail to reduce mass shootings.”
So, the question stands, will stricter gun control legislation prevent future gun violence and mass shootings?
Laws pertaining to gun control have been in place for years and today it is evident that gun control may not work as much as we would like it to.
Legislation like the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993) have created nationwide requirements that make it difficult to purchase a firearm. Unfortunately, criminals don’t obey gun control laws.
Therefore, these laws only affect the law-abiding citizens who take legal avenues to purchase their guns. This is why background checks really have no impact for criminals, as they do not “play by the rules.”
In 2016, the Bureau of Justice Statistics examined how prison inmates got their hands on firearms they had used during their crimes. The study found that only about 10 percent of criminals purchased their guns through a retail source. Most criminals acquired their guns through other means such as illegal underground sales, “borrowed” from friends or family, gifts, theft and even theft from the scene of a crime.
Criminals who use these illegal methods of obtaining weapons aren’t doing any background checks or applying for gun licenses. This is why background checks and licensing are not 100 percent effective.
Crime rates go down when good, law-abiding citizens have their own firearms to defend themselves and others. Many gun-control advocates have pushed the idea that making firearms easily accessible to the general public would increase crime.
Recently, history has show us the truth. From 1991 to 2019, violent crime rates have dropped by more than 50 percent. The number of privately-owned firearms has also increased by 50 percent during that same time period. Certainly, something needs to be done to prevent future violent crime.
Doctors can play a large role in reducing violent crime. If a patient is showing signs of depression, long-term fits of anger, rage or even confusion; doctors need to ask their patients about firearms. By questioning patients and opening the conversation, we can get everyone the help they need and hopefully save lives.
It is more beneficial and effective for the Democrats and Republicans to come together and create policies that aim to focus on violence prevention with communities and individuals.
The Second Amendment guarantees American citizens the right to keep a gun but over time, gun control laws have placed limits on that freedom.