The U.S. leads the globe in mass shootings that have been escalating fortnight. It is a paradox and a tad embarrassing that the country with the most effective policing and security systems cannot confront mass shootings. The Federal Bureau of Investigations FBI defines mass shootings as any incident that cause the death of at least four people murdered with a gun. According to NBC Philadelphia, over 400 mass shootings in 2022 so far have been pervading schools (O’Kruk, 2022). As Americans grapple with these horrific shootings, experts and political and religious leaders hold clashing perspectives on the cause and the most effective solution to the increasing gun violence. The only solution to the gun menace America is facing lies in the decision of Congress to pass legislation that will allow the recall of all firearms held by citizens and restrict their access.
The current U.S. gun policy allows the right to keep and bear Arms that have caused the deadliest scale of gun violence, making mass shootings just a fraction. Americans own over 393 million registered firearms, more than the American population alone adults (Ingraham, 2021). In efforts to deal with mass shootings, Congress has been making efforts to legislate new gun laws but has been crippled by strong opposition from conservatives. Only firearm recalls and limiting access to guns will limit gun violence (Rood, 2018). Conservatives argue that criminals will still have more access to guns despite regulation; therefore, it is fair to permit guns to potential victims for self-security (Rood, 2018). I hold that gun violence contributes largely to crimes, and making more guns accessible will escalate the problem. The Brady Act of 2008 and the most recent bipartisan gun violence bill are the strides made by Congress that make little but a notable breakthrough in controlling guns by introducing reforms to enhance the screening process when purchasing guns. Leaders should stop these political gimmicks with Americans’ life and make the tough decision to recall and restrict access of guns.
References
Ingraham, C. (2021). Analysis | there are more guns than people in the United States, according to a new study of global firearm ownership. The Washington Post.
O’Kruk, A. (2022). On most days in the U.S. this year, there has been a mass shooting. These graphics reveal a lot about them. NBC10 Philadelphia.
Rood, C. (2018). “Our tears are not enough”: The warrant of the dead in the rhetoric of gun control. Quarterly journal of speech, 104(1), 47-70.