100 Americans Killed by Guns Every Day: The Consequences of Gun Violence - Essay Sample

Introduction

The consequences of gun violence are more pervasive and affect entire America. It is well known from all sources talking about violence in America that about 100 Americans are killed with guns every day, and 100 more are shot and injured. Gun violence is any violence committed with the use of a gun, i.e., firearms or small arms. Gun-related violence may or may not be considered criminal. When we talk about criminal violence, we include homicide, assaults, suicide, among others. Gun violence has a devastating impact on American children and teenagers. It was found that children and teenagers are the most affected group with this gun violence in America. Other reports have revealed that more than 2900 children are killed and other injured annually in issues related to gun violence. It is undeniable to mention that gun violence a unique problem in the United States when compared to other high-income nations.

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Studies have shown that the deaths related to gun violence in the US are on the increase, with more than 30000 people losing their lives. The gun violence has become an urgent public health issue that requires tremendously effective evidence-based policy interventions. Various recommendations and policy responses have been put forward by multiple agencies (Follman, Lee, Lurie & West, 2018). The researchers at John Hopkins University offered various suggestions and responses to gun violence. Fundamentally, they suggested that it was important to establish check systems for all people buying the firearm from the authorized sellers. This move is aimed at encouraging the giving license to individuals who own guns lawfully. It is, therefore, an essential way of reducing violence in the United States.

Besides, banning of assaults weapons and the high-quality magazines utilized for violence purposes and criminal violence is crucial. Studies have shown that guns are the most comfortable, most lethal, and effective ways of killing individuals within a considerably shorter period. Notably, the people who have not received the appropriate level of gun training are likely to cause tremendous damages. It could take place through the use of the explosives, which indeed needs knowledge and resources (Follman, Lee, Lurie & West, 2018). In this sense, therefore, it is essential to argue lethal weapon forms an integral part of the mass murders in America. Some advocates of gun control have always argued that the gun control issue is like the mental problem matter as experienced in America. This is based on the fact that people will the mentally ill people are individuals who engage in activities they do not know and should, therefore, be unaccepted (Swanson et al. 2016). The gun violence is completely different from all other forms of violence such as those that involve the use of knife and cars. The mass shooting at Las Vegas constituted the largest disaster that the US has ever seen. Undeniably, it caused tremendous damages, including the loss of innocent lives (Follman, Lee, Lurie & West, 2018). That year alone, more than thirty thousand people succumbed to different gun violence incidents.

While the impacts of gun violence are evident across the nation, the advocates of the gun ownership present different direction as well as the point of view regarding the issue. Notably, they run out to point the second amendment of the US constitution as the undeniable proof that the Americans are allowed to use the guns. Most of them have argued that guns do not kill people but kill people. According to the Second Amendment, a well-regulated militia, being necessary to the society of a free state. Citizens, therefore have the rights to keep and own arms, and this right should not be infringed. In the view of Michael Waldman, however, the second amendment was meant to focus on the perception of people regarding the role of the government as well as the citizen's ability to balance the gun rights against the public safety and the common goal (Gabor, 2016). Ideally, this amendment has always been critical not for certain pristine original understanding but of the push and pull of the American politics and the public debate. According to Waldman, the second amendment was instrumental it developed out of the huge debate and the public opinion regarding the fear to many Americans that the US constitution would establish a powerful central Government, which would crush the 13 state militias that consist of the citizen's soldiers who keep or bring guns at home (Follman, Lee, Lurie & West, 2018).

Studies have shown that the state of Florida is the most affected estate recording a total loss of lives amount to 5000 in the year 2015. More guns are the answer to gun violence. From the recommendation and policies made from Johns Hopkins University, we came to realize that even those who own guns legally at times use them for murder cases and to commit suicide. Exposing school teachers to guns will not solve gun violence in America; instead, it will promote mass killings (Gabor, 2016).

In politicizing mass murders, gun control advocates such as President Obama insist that more laws against firearm can enhance public safety. David B. Kopel once argued that there must be calls for common sense gun control, such as the system of universal background checks, a ban on high capacity magazines among others. The same thought was also highlighted at Johns Hopkins University. President Obama points to the mass confiscation of firearms in Great Britain and Australia as models for the United States. Such seizure would be impossible as a practical matter in the United States, and if it were attempted, the consequences would be catastrophic. Again policymakers can take steps to make treatment available for persons with serious mental illness, and when necessary to incapacitate such persons if the thing is proven to be at grave sake for perpetrating violent crime. Better care, treatment, and stronger laws for civil commitment would prevent some horrific crimes to some extent in Printezv. U.S (1997), Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that a mandatory federal check on poverty intrastate sale of a firearm might violet the second amendment. This view was supported by the Supreme Court ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the debate on gun violence in the US is a common one. It has claimed the lives of many innocent people across many parts of the US. In my view, however, it is false to request that the firearms are assaults weapons. The process of restricting or outlawing the standard firearm and their magazines deprives the innocent victims of their rights. Notably, the sensational crimes are often used to force poorly enacted laws which criminalize peaceable individuals who own guns (Kleck, 2017). The gun violence witnessed in America has led to the massive loss of innocent lives. It is, however, crucial for the American government to protect its citizens who emerge as the innocent people after the violence. Broadly, the government should take into consideration the circumstances through which people may need to hold guns. There should be an effective check system to assess and monitor the type of activities gun owners engage in.

References

Follman, M., Lee, J., Lurie, J., & West, J. (2018). The true cost of gun violence in America.

Gabor, T. (2016). Confronting gun violence in America. Springer.

Kleck, G. (2017). Point blank: Guns and violence in America. Routledge.

Swanson, J. W., Easter, M. M., Robertson, A. G., Swartz, M. S., Alanis-Hirsch, K., Moseley, D., & Petrila, J. (2016). Gun violence, mental illness, and laws that prohibit gun possession: evidence from two Florida counties. Health Affairs, 35(6), 1067-1075.