What’s the Problem? What do we know about it?
In the United States, situations are arising where children are being killed by guns either accidentally or by a school shooting. This creates concern among Americans about the safety of their youth. With these concerns, comes much debate over solutions. One possible solution that is largely debated over is gun control and whether or not it truly serves its purpose: reducing the amount of gun violence. It attempts to do so by introducing restrictions on gun manufacturers, gun possession, and gun sales and has even attempted to ban firearms altogether. This is done in order to deter people from purchasing more guns and reduce the number of firearms in society. With the reduction of firearms, there should have also been a reduction in gun deaths, especially among children. Instead, in response to increasing gun control, there are significant increases in gun sales. This occurred in California in response to more gun control. “Gun sales have surged in recent years, driven by sales of both handguns and long guns...long gun sales increased 75% and handgun sales increased 30% (probably in anticipation of the passage of several California gun regulation laws)...In 2016 more than 1.3 million guns were sold in California, reaching an all-time peak” (State of California Department of Justice). This means that the amount of guns in society increases, instead of decreases, increasing the possibility of a child being exposed to a gun. The reason for this increase is because of the second problem gun control faces: the consistent worry from the public that gun control is a threat to their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Along with specific restrictions made to firearms, there has also been talk of banning all firearms. Although the public agrees that something should be done to ensure the safety of our children, the talk of banning firearms creates panic among the public. In response, there is opposition to gun control out of fear that it would lead to the removal of the Second Amendment. This inevitably led to debate over what the Second Amendment actually protects. “The crux of the debate is whether the amendment protects the right of private individuals to keep and bear arms, or whether it instead protects a collective right that should be exercised only through formal militia units” (History). However, the Supreme Court addressed this dilemma, where they held that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home (District of Columbia v. Heller). With this decision, it is ensured that the right of the people to bear arms should not be infringed. This makes it extremely difficult to attempt to decrease the number of guns in the United States, especially if Americans will only buy more every time new gun control policies are introduced. A policy must be introduced that not only prevents gun violence but reassures the public that their Second Amendment right is not under attack. This can be done by, instead of directing our attention to firearms specifically, rather we should focus on gun safety.
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What are the Solutions?
Instead of further Gun Control policies, we should introduce more Child Access Prevention policies and Gun Safety policies. These policies will propose two new requirements that could aid in preventing gun violence. Under the Child Access Prevention policy, it would extend background checks to not only check the owner of the firearm but to check the children living in the home of the owner as well. If there is a child in the home or a child that has a registered mental illness, the owner is required to have a specific safe to store the firearm. In order to ensure that gun owners are not restricted from their right to bear arms just because they cannot afford the specific safe, these gun owners will be offered discounts in order to purchase the safe. These discounts will be funded by taxpayers.
The Gun Safety policy would require public schools to have Gun Safety classes. These classes would educate children and young adults on how to safely handle a gun and the consequences of pulling the trigger. This would not require children to interact with a gun in any way.
Are they Effective?
Child Access Prevention policies have been a major topic for discussion for quite some time and have shown to be very effective. “Numerous studies over the past 20 years have found that child access prevention laws can reduce suicide and unintentional gun deaths and injuries among children and teens by up to 54%, with the greatest reductions occurring in states which require safe storage of firearms” (Giffords Law Center). Child Access Prevention laws are very effective in preventing children from having access to a firearm. And with the new policy that is being introduced, will also address homes with children that have specific mental illnesses as well. After the past school shootings that occurred in the United States, it was discovered that some of the shooters had significant psychological issues that were ignored. If steps were taken in order to prevent them from obtaining a firearm from the home, these shootings could have been prevented. It would also shine a light for the parents onto their children, in order for them to notice and address the issues their child is dealing with. This new policy would require these gun owners who have children in the home, especially children with specific mental illnesses, to have a proper gun safe that denies them access. The technology of safes is becoming more and more advanced as time goes on. Today, gun owners can purchase safes that require fingerprints only in order to have access. And these kinds of safes run in a variety of sizes from a small case that carries only one gun to a large safe that carries a numerous amount. So gun owners are not required to buy a large safe in order to have a firearm in the home. However, if a gun owner can not afford the gun safe, they could be offered a discount for the safe so that they can still ensure the safety of their child and still practice their Second Amendment right to bear arms.
The Gun Safety policy is a policy that would introduce a Gun Safety class in schools in order to educate children on firearms. This policy is not new, as schools across the country are also introducing these kinds of classes in their schools as well. One example would be how a hunter's safety course is being introduced in two middle schools in Butler County, Iowa. “The week-long training program will train students on a variety of survival skills, including gun safety…” (Fox News). The reason for this is that, even with gun control policies, the number of guns being introduced into society is still increasing. This increases the chances of a child coming into contact with a gun once or twice in their life. And if this were to occur, it would be better for the child to understand just what they are dealing with, and not treat the firearm as if it is a toy. “The bottom line is: kids who are unfamiliar with guns are more likely to play with them and pull the trigger, potentially injuring themselves or others. But those who grow up with guns or who are trained in firearms safety, get it. They are better prepared. They may not know everything there is to know, but they’ve been exposed to it enough to respect firearms and to be cautious and careful. And that’s exactly the kind of safe, responsible citizens our country needs” (USCCA). However, not only would it educate students on how to be safe and report to an adult if they ever encounter a firearm, but it would also offer help to children who have been going through bullying or depression.
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