Introduction
The controversial debate on whether there is a correlation between guns and violence and aggression becomes highly discussed every time there is a national crisis involving a shooting. The media coverage ranges to cater to their target audiences, with one side arguing for the banning of guns in the country to prevent violence from occurring. In contrast, the other side argues that without guns, one would be unable to protect oneself from possible shooters, suggesting that the availability of arms does not necessarily lead to more shootings. Therefore, the impact of gun prevalence on violence and aggression among the population remains ambiguous because both perspectives matter, especially when it comes to making political decisions with long-term effects.
Findings
The statistics on the prevalence of killing in the US point to an important trend concerning firearms. The majority of homicides that occur in the country tend to be committed using guns, which are also referred to as “facilitating hardware for lethal violence” (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020, p. 76). Pew Research Center Data shows that in 2021 alone, 48,830 people died from gun-related injuries, which was a record year (Gramlich, 2023).
Around eight in ten murders in the country involve a firearm, while more than half of all suicides are committed using a gun (Gramlich, 2023). What is crucial to note is that the character and dynamics of a conflict that leads to an altercation change significantly once a firearm becomes available. There are numerous instances of homicides that would have been nearly impossible to commit had a gun not been available to be used (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). Such situations may include drive-by shootings or returning to the altercation scene with a gun, which shows that a firearm offers an opportunity structure for homicide because of its lethal nature. Besides, guns can equalize the differentials of strength between parties involved in a conflict.
The opposition toward the availability of guns to the population is likely to stem from the lenient legislation. For instance, even though Florida has a three-day period of waiting for handgun purchases, anyone without a criminal history and in sound mental health can walk into a gun store and purchase an AR-15 rifle, ammunition, and magazines (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). Therefore, the lack of background checks for selling guns of a certain type could entice some individuals with criminal tendencies to commit killings.
Mass murder is of particular importance to the discussion because it entails killing four or more victims in one location within a relatively short period, which denotes a unified emotional experience. According to the latest statistics on US mass shootings, incidents in which four or more people were killed or injured by a gun have been increasing steadily between 2014 and 2023 (BBC News, 2023). In this period, the highest recorded number was 690 mass shootings in 2021, while the most significant attack took place in Vegas in 2017, with more than fifty people killed and five hundred injured (BBC News, 2023). Therefore, the statistics indicate that the rates of gun-associated violence are increasing in the United States every year. Moreover, compared to England and Wales, Canada, and Australia, the US has the highest percentage of gun-related killings of all homicides.
Mentioning mass murder at school is crucial to the discussion because of its relative frequency and the involvement of minors either as perpetrators or victims, or both. The two notorious school killings include the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School, and the 1999 Columbine High School shootings (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). In both instances, the perpetrators used guns to shoot as many victims as possible in episodes of severe rage and aggression. The analysis of the cases later revealed that the criminals who committed the killings experienced severe social isolation and were angry at the world for their negative feelings and experiences (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). The shootings could have been prevented had there been support systems available at schools so that troubled young people could seek help.
Analysis
The statistics on gun violence in the United States show that there is a problem that has not been tackled effectively. The analysis of cases shows that a discussion on preventive efforts only occurs when there is a new case of gun-related killings, with more than half of the citizens showing support for gun control policies (Gallup, 2023). The issue is divisive because it has been linked to party affiliation, with Democrats mainly supporting stricter gun laws and only a quarter of Republicans calling for severe restrictions (Gallup, 2023). Nevertheless, making policy decisions will be counterproductive without substantial scientific research or legal considerations.
The fact that there are two polarly opposite opinions on the issue stems from the dichotomy in research findings. Some studies find that gun laws are effective, while others contradict the finding, citing a range of variables at play when it comes to increasing gun-related crimes (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). For instance, mass shootings are sufficiently rare, which means that it is hard to use scientific rigor to determine whether any gun policies affect them (Morral, 2022).
In contrast, when they were studied, there was supportive evidence that stand-your-ground laws could elevate the total homicide rates (RAND, 2023). These laws suggest that when their life is at risk, individuals are legally allowed to use a firearm to shoot or kill another person threatening their safety. These findings align with Alvarez and Bachman’s (2020) suggestion that when a gun becomes available in an altercation, the risks of a killing increase. However, the two scholars did not consider that a gun may serve as a vital tool for saving one’s life if a deadly weapon is threatening one’s life.
Discussion
None of the mentioned findings points to guns being the causative factor for aggression and violence. In fact, the evidence that became available in the aftermath of mass shootings, for example, suggests that the perpetrators did not become violent or aggressive due to possessing guns. Instead, they sought firearms that they treated as outlets for their rage and the desire to kill as many people as they could. In some instances, the shooters ended up killing themselves after committing the crime, which points to the state of their mental health (Alvarez & Bachman, 2020). If guns were not available, it cannot be excluded that the shooters could resort to other types of weapons, such as knives, or consider using explosives, even though the effects of their use are more unpredictable.
Similar conclusions can be made after exploring serial murders. While the possession of a firearm does make it easier for a criminal to murder a person using little physical power, those who capture, bind, and torture their victims do not need a gun to carry out their crime. The characteristics of serial murderers, ranging from Aileen Wuornos to Ted Bundy, show that guns are never the cause of their violence or aggression. Instead, there are innate and acquired qualities, including psychopathy, that drive serial killers’ urge to commit murder, and they understand the terrible nature of their actions. Thus, even though the rates of mass shootings increased historically, the trend does not point to a link between firearms and aggression and violence, as the latter exists independently.
Conclusion
To conclude, even though guns are deadly weapons and increase the likelihood of someone being killed in an altercation, they are not necessarily associated with violence and aggression. Perpetrators who may have a history of mental illness or experience a dire financial situation may resort to using guns in their offenses because of their accessibility and ease of use. Nevertheless, questions remain as to how gun control legislation can balance between the two opposing perspectives and guarantee safety without infringing on citizens’ constitutional rights.
Today, all fifty states allow citizens to carry concealed firearms if all requirements are met. Moreover, in light of notorious school shootings, some states have considered allowing firearms on college campuses as a protective measure, even though it shows that when guns are readily available, altercations can result in a shooting. More consistent and rigorous research is needed to make comprehensive conclusions on policymaking decisions.
References
Alvarez, A. C., & Bachman, R. D. (2020). Violence: The enduring problem (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
BBC News. (2023). How many US mass shootings have there been in 2023? BBC News. Web.
Gallup. (2023). Guns. Web.
Gramlich, J. (2023). What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S. Web.
Morral, A. R. (2022). The gun laws that work, and the gun laws that don’t. Web.
RAND. (2023). Effects of stand-your-ground laws on violent crime. Web.