Gun controls refer to policies and laws, which regulate the manufacture, modification, transfer, sale, and usage of firearms

Gun Control

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Gun controls refer to policies and laws, which regulate the manufacture, modification, transfer, sale, and usage of firearms. These policies usually vary with countries. Some countries, such as the UK have very strict policies that limit the possession of guns while others like Mexico openly legalize the possession of guns by inhabitants for personal protection. In the U.S., different states have varying policies that govern the possession and utilization of guns. Gun control has often received diverse views with proponents arguing that the legislations are necessary to minimize ownership by individuals for safety reasons. Opponents argue that the legislation does not necessarily reduce murder, injuries, suicide or other related crimes. Some individuals argue that gun control laws infringe on civilian liberties, hence unnecessary. Gun control has therefore invited diverse perspectives and debates from different opinion leaders, stakeholders, and individuals, making it a controversial topic.

The second amendment of the American constitution encouraged more gun ownership and relaxed the laws. However, the debate on gun control has taken political dimension, Democrats against republicans. According to Peters (2014), “Bloomberg has already spent millions of dollars trying to persuade members of Congress to support enhanced background check laws with virtually nothing to show for it”. There is need for political impartiality in dealing with the issue, beyond the second amendment, since the circumstances and context under which the amendment was enacted have changed. The amendment allowing gun ownership was passed when the county was experiencing security challenges after the American civil war. The citizens were more exposed due to the security threats posed by the armed rebels who had no formal command. Currently, the country has employed thousands of well trained and armed police officers. The country today has lesser threat that the unarmed citizens face in comparison to the 19th and the 20th centuries. The political antagonists need to realise the changed circumstances and enact the laws that require more background checks as proposed by Mr. Bloomberg. However, Mr. Bloomberg as a political figure may not rightfully lead the struggle for the changes as his views may be perceived negatively by those in the opposing camps.

The gun control concept is a diverse subject and a subset of a wide global topic that focuses on arms control in terms of manufacture, transportation, possession, and utilization of especially, small arms. These include pistols, revolvers, assault rifles, hunting rifles, and short guns, among others. This has seen different groups rise up either in proposing or opposing the legislation. Various individuals, companies, and associations, have had varied perspectives on gun control based on the area of interest. For example, the National Rifle Association (NRA) indicates that it “is not intimidated by a multimillion-dollar gun control campaign backed by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg” (Chappell, 2014). The association believes that it is working in the interest of over ninety percent of Americans who trust that more can be done to protect citizens against gun violence. This is a clear indication that different stakeholders hold varying perspectives towards a topic that appears universally agreeable. Internationally, most diplomatic deliberations have always tended to divert their focus towards cross-border illegal movement and trade in small arms as a subject of great concern as compared to legislation pertaining to possession of firearms by civilians.

In contrast, state and national perspectives usually focus on legislation regarding ownership and possession of small arms by civilians. U.S. News (2014) indicates that the Second Amendment to the Constitution, concerned with the right to possess firearms, has always been a hot issue especially during the electioneering period. In addition, the article notes that for decades, gun control and gun rights groups have always tried to lobby Congress to design legislations in their favor (U.S. News, 2014). Consequently, in the last two years, the issue of gun control legislation reached the country’s highest courts with several high level cases handled. For example, in the 2008 case of the Supreme Court of Columbia v. Heller, the court upheld that the Constitution has provisions that protect an individual’s liberty to own a gun for personal use, in a 5-4 decision that only applied to federal legislation (U.S. News, 2014). Though in 2010, the Supreme Court issued a judgment that the federal right to own a gun applied also to the local and state levels, a ruling that, according to U.S. News (2014), uplifted a nearly thirty year old ban.

Those against the uncontrolled gun ownership argue that the weapons are used for various criminal activities and illegal hunting. Those against the practice question the logic behind gun ownership, where they are carried to the drinking places, classrooms, and sports arenas. On the other hand, the proponents of gun ownership argue that the weapons are used purely for self-defence and not any violent act. The political class has over the year differed on the issue, in the same way as the general public. The debate revolves around legislated control or personal responsibility. In what the media considers as ‘a major political investment’, Michael Bloomberg, former New York Mayor, “plans to spend $50 million this year building a nationwide grass-roots network to motivate voters who feel strongly about curbing gun violence, an organization he hopes can eventually outmuscle the National Rifle Association” (Peters, 2014). The approach by Bloomberg is to get grassroots support and push for more responsible gun use and more background checks before licensing. The approach is proactive and needs to be supported. However, the focus of the campaign is to outdo the National Rifle Association rather than tackling the root cause of the issue. A more balanced approach, managed by the law, should be adopted in gun control. While arming the civilians, the law should allow the authority to carry out thorough checks before any licensing.

In conclusion, though, some advocates of gun control warned lawmakers against the legislation arguing that high numbers of guns in civilian hands equals high levels of crime. An article on USA Today News indicates that advocates stepped up their lobby for enactment of the law to minimize crime that has escalated because of gun possession (Evans, 2014). Evans (2014) cites an incidence in which a young man was shot dead because of playing loud music in his car. Such cases can be reduced if the debate revolves around objective issues rather than prejudices and political rhetoric.

References

Chappell, B. (2014). NRA Says It’s Not Bothered By Gun Control Group’s Protest. Retrieved from: www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/04/27/307353115/nra-says-its-not-bothered-by-gun-control-groups-protest

Evans, T. (2014). Gun control advocates warn lawmakers. Retrieved from: HYPERLINK “http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/25/nra-convention-gun-control/8163561/” www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/25/nra-convention-gun-control/8163561/

Peter, J. (April 15, 2014). Bloomberg Plans a $50 Million Challenge to the N.R.A. Retrieved from nhttp://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/16/us/bloomberg-plans-a-50-million-challenge-to-the-nra.html?_r=0

U.S. News. (2014). Gun Control and Gun Rights. Retrieved from: www.usnews.com/topics/subjects/gun-control-and-gun-rights