Introduction
The executive branch of the US government is vital since it enforces laws in the country. It consists of the president, vice president, administrative departments, cabinet, independent agencies, commissions, and committees’ boards. The executive has introduced various laws that guide the citizens. One of the policies involves gun control and has led to endless debates in the country. The issue has raised controversial discussions on whether regulations should be implemented to limit the number of people who can acquire guns legally in America. Therefore, one can analyze gun control since it involves the executive branch to determine its strengths and weaknesses and whether the laws should be enacted.
Gun Regulations
Gun laws are monitored by federal statutes, limiting the trade, possession, manufacture, transportation, and destruction of firearms. This act is enforced by the state agencies and the Federal Bureau of alcohol, tobacco firearms, and explosives (ATF) (Milam et al. 3817). There are several acts involving gun control, such as the National Firearms Act (NFA), which states that all the firearms manufactured should be taxed. The regulation also ensures that the registration of different firearms is mandatory, controlling the arms’ illegal possession. Gun Control act of 1968 (GCA) is another policy that was introduced to restrict the interstate transfer of firearms exceptional for licensed dealers, importers, and manufacturers. The policy has played a significant role in minimizing the number of criminals who can access firearms from different states.
Mass shootings have also been experienced in various learning institutions. Therefore, the executive introduced the Gun-Free School Zones Act (1990) to ensure that unauthorized persons are restricted from possessing firearms in schools (Milam et al. 3815). Furthermore, many students have lost their lives due to shooting incidences in colleges, whereby most of these acts are exercised by unlicensed gun holders. Hence, the policies have been of great significance in the United States. However, people have argued that these policies have various advantages and disadvantages.
Strengths of Gun Law
I agree that policies to ensure that few people can access guns should be enforced by the executive branch since it will positively impact society. For instance, one of these regulations’ strengths is that they have reduced the crime rate since easy access to guns leads to increased violent crimes (Lynch and Dylan 67). Most of the misconduct in the United States is gun-related. Consequently, minimizing the number of individuals who can access weapons can reduce criminal activities. Moreover, many people lose their lives during these violent acts, whereby the culprits shoot them.
Another reason why I support gun laws is that they minimize the rate of suicide cases. Many individuals have committed suicide using firearms due to various issues such as poor mental health and drug abuse. Thus, gun laws should involve thorough background checks to guarantee that individuals qualify to possess a weapon. Experts assert that stricter gun laws should be enforced since having many people with guns can lead to increased suicide cases (Lynch and Dylan 67). Domestic violence has also increased in various states, whereby some people kill their partners or commit suicide using firearms. Thus, individuals have argued that strict gun laws can reduce the number of people with guns and minimize gun-related deaths experienced during family disputes (Lynch and Dylan 67). Additionally, gun control specialists have revealed that making it difficult for persons to access guns can lead to a safer society.
People who acquire guns have different intentions, which is hard for the authorities to determine. Therefore, the gun laws prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands (Yamane). The easier the access of weapons to citizens, the more the chances of increased gun violence. Possession of firearms by people such as the mentally disabled and terrorists have led to shooting in the community (Yamane). Thus, the executive should ensure that strict laws are implemented to prevent guns from being accessed by some people who may use them unsuitably.
Weaknesses of Gun Laws
Despite the gun laws having their strengths, they also have their weakness. One of the flaws is that strict gun laws prohibiting weapon purchases will lead to criminals engaging in firearm trafficking (Yamane 8). The regulations will lead to weapons’ illegal trading; hence, the crime rate will be increased. Moreover, many people have been arrested while smuggling firearms in the United States. Another weakness is that gun law hinders self-defense in case it is needed (Morrall). Gangs have shot some individuals due to failure of self-protection during a robbery and other criminal activities. For example, terrorists have killed many people in various states, whereby they attack civilians in different areas, including their worship centers (Kamal and Burton 318). People have also stated that gun control does not prevent criminals from obtaining firearms due to the increased number of smuggled weapons. Consequently, some individuals have argued that accessing firearms can help civilians protect themselves from these criminals.
Conclusion
To conclude, I support the United States government to enforce strict gun laws on its citizens. The executive branch should ensure that it focuses on ways that can limit people from accessing weapons. The policies should be implemented to reduce gun violence, suicidal cases, mass shootings, and robbery. The report shows that easy access to firearms will increase crime rates which will threaten people and reduce the development of communities. Although the policies have both weaknesses and strengths, the executive should enact strict gun laws since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Works Cited
Kamal, Rifat Darina, and Charles Burton. “Policy Gridlock Versus Policy Shift in Gun Politics: A Comparative Veto Player Analysis of Gun Control Policies in the United States and Canada.” World Affairs, vol. 181, no. 4, 2018, pp. 317-347.
Lynch, Kellie R., and Dylan B. Jackson. “Ready to Pull the Trigger? Adapting the Health Belief Model to Assess the Implementation of Domestic Violence Gun Policy at the Community Level.” Psychology of Violence, vol. 9. no. 1, 2019, pp. 67. Web.
Milam, Adam J., Furr-Holden Debra.,Leaf Philip., and Webster Daniel. “Managing Conflicts in Urban Communities: Youth Attitudes Regarding Gun Violence.” Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 33. no. 24, 2018, pp. 3815-3828.
Morrall, Andrew. “The Science of Gun Policy: A Critical Synthesis of Research Evidence on the Effects of Gun Policies in the United States.” Rand Health Quarterly, vol. 8, no. 1, 2018.
Yamane, David. “The Sociology of US Gun Culture.” Sociology Compass, vol. 11, no. 7, 2017, pp. 1-10.