Effectiveness of Gun Control Policies in United States

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Although there have been more than 2000 gun rules and regulations which have failed over time in United States, the current gun control policies are proving effective. There is fewer gun crimes in areas believed to have gun control. Research shows that most crimes in United States are committed using guns and other firearms (Kwon, Baack, 1997). Control of these guns has led to few crimes being committed. It is now difficulty for any person to own a gun because of the set laws governing the ownership of guns and how to use them. Manufacturers have to get a license from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) before making any gun (Haynes, 2016).

The only challenge United States has faced in the control of guns is lack of enough special agents who can deal with Alcohol and Tobacco and at the same time dealing with illegal ownership of guns. Also the laws brought to act by some republicans which were not related to guns undermines ATF’s duty to control guns but this has not stopped it from doing its job. There are consequences if any citizen, resident or an alien is found doing contrary to the set policies. To make the move effective, the policies have been implemented by the government to ensure that they reduce the number of deaths witnessed every year due to gun violence. This has yield good results as last year’s number of people murdered using firearms had reduced to 9369 compared to other years where the number has been high. This shows how the gun control policies are effective in saving lives.

Secondly, gun control makes our nation safer and makes citizens aware of the gun safety. The gun control policies are clear on the steps to be followed for one to own, sale, transfer, use or manufacture any firearm. For one to own and keep a gun, he/she must go through training on how to use a gun and to know how to protect the society using the gun. Also one has to learn the rules and regulations governing the keeping and bearing of firearms. An individual is required to sign a contract showing the time he/she will be keeping the gun and how long should one renew it.

Through this, United States has been able to reduce several cases of gun violence like frequent shootings and robbery using dangerous firearms to scare the victims. During the training, citizens are taught how to carry guns in public and when to use them. They also learn how to keep the firearms safe to avoid law breakers from accessing them and stealing hence destroying lives and property in the area. Every bullet used is accounted for. Gun owners have to explain how bullets were used if any is missing. Keeping a close watch over the guns sold, transferred, manufactured and being used by the owners proves gun control policies effective (Singh, 1998).

In addition, gun control policies have led to drastic decrease in homicide rates. This is a great move as reducing the use of guns not only leads to a safer country but also reduce killings. This shows that gun control can work well if it is wisely designed and effectively put in place. Countries which have not been able to keep gun control policies working is because of their poor implementation and adoption strategies of the policies.

The ban of guns which blocked more than 2.4 million illegal buyers, has reduced homicide rates. It is true that not all the people who own guns commit crimes. Some use their guns for intended purpose but there are still crazy people with guns and use them in the wrong way. It is easy to use a gun to commit a crime than using the other weapons and that is why it is prudent to ban use of guns. This does not deny us our right and freedom but contributes in gaining freedom. Through background checks, the officers are able to know those people eligible to own guns and those who are bad guys and cannot be trusted with guns because they can cause damage on the other people. The enactment of laws to allow for gun control policies has reduced crime rates in the country (Vizzard, 2015).

Contrarily to many who have praised gun control policies, some people still feel it is not as effective as it is presumed. This is because criminals will never abide to laws and they will use the opportunity to harass the innocent citizens. Removing the guns from the citizens is like withdrawing security from them (Singh, 1998). They will be attacked and they will have nothing to protect themselves from the criminals. Some people feel this is a move by the government to put the innocent citizens into difficulty situations hence opposing the move.

Although after the gun ban there have been fewer murderers using firearms, the cases of rape have increased. Women are sexually assaulted and murdered by the criminals. Before the gun control policies were implemented and adopted in United States, there were fewer cases of women being raped, killed and sexually assaulted. Gun is not the only weapon which can be used by the outlaws to commit crimes, they can also use knives and other dangerous weapons. Now the law abiding citizens are being deprived the right to protect themselves and exposed to face lawbreakers who do not care on following the policies put in place to control use and ownership of guns. Therefore, no need of disarming law abiding citizens (Pederson et al, 2015).

Conclusion

Gun control policies can work to the benefit of the nation but they need to be effectively implanted and prudently designed. Measures should be put in place on how to deal with the criminals who are likely to acquire guns illegally and use them to extort the innocent citizens. Though it is easy to use guns and commit homicide crimes, measures should also be put in place to control other types of weapons from being used by outlaws to endanger citizens’ lives.