Gun Control in Usa

Gun Control in the U.S.

        It is not difficult to find news about incidents, where many people are killed or injured by firearms in the U.S.  Some people think that the solution to the gun problem, during which many innocent people are killed or hurt, is simply making laws concerning gun control. However, they would never think that gun control is a simple problem to solve, if they knew about this issue concerning the basic right to protect oneself according to the Second Amendment in the U.S.  There are always fierce debates about gun control between supporters and opponents of regulation of firearms.  As a result, the key of debates can be summarized into two subjects; ‘personal right to have guns for protecting oneself’, and ‘government’s right to control gun possession for protecting our society from violent crimes’.  Supporters of gun control argue that there have been many crimes and murders by firearms and if we make a strong gun control law, the crime rate will be lowered and we can save many lives including young students.  On the other hand, opponents argue that they need to carry firearms because gun possession is the basic right to protect themselves from violent crimes according to the Second Amendment.  They claim that if there are strong gun control laws, many people will suffer from crimes because they can’t possess firearms.  Although some people believe that being able to carry a gun is one of the basic rights according to the constitution, guns should be strictly controlled because they are necessary to reduce the number of violent crimes and save the people, including young students from gun incidents

National Comparison Related Gun Control

        Although there were a lot of efforts to control guns, many people still suffer from gun incidents in the U.S.  The U.S. is not the only country to permit gun possession.  Therefore, if we want any improvements for reducing gun incidents, it would be a useful opportunity for gun control.  Some countries such as Switzerland and Australia have lower crime rates of guns because they could control firearms through stricter gun control law.  To understand well about gun issues and find improvements, it is necessary to know about gun control of Switzerland and Australia.

Gun Control in Switzerland

        Switzerland needs to make people armed for protecting oneself from an aggression because they have been a permanent neutral country for a long time.  As a result, it is very easy circumstances to occur gun incidents because many people have many guns in their home.  They don’t even need to keep the strict European Union’s gun control rules because Switzerland is not a member of the EU.  However, there are not many gun incidents in this country because Switzerland controls firearms efficiently.  Palmer (2013) stated that a person who wants to buy and carry guns should get each license according to the gun control laws.  In addition, Switzerland banned automatic weapons.  Through those gun control laws, they make the acquisition and carrying of firearms difficult.  Especially, members of the militia should deposit their issued guns, according to the amendment in 2010 (Palmer, 2013).  These laws were an efficient way to reduce the number of guns, as well as protect the public from gun incidents.  Although possessing guns seem like a basic right such as the U.S in Switzerland, they could reduce the gun incident though the strict gun control laws.  In addition, Australia also is one of gun control model countries.

Gun Control of Australia

        Australia has a strong gun culture like the pioneer spirit of the U.S.  As a result, the country allows people to carry guns and there were a lot of gun incidents.  When these tragic incidents occur, the public would easily support gun control laws.  If there are strict gun control laws, those laws could reduce gun incidents like Australia.  Peters (2013) stated that gun deaths have decreased by two-third after strong gun control laws that require ownership’s license for each gun.  Furthermore, citizens should wait 28-day for the background checks to buy guns, and dispose about 700,000 guns.  The example of Australia is a lesson for the people.  However, in spite of Australia’s laws, many people still think gun possession is a basic right to protect oneself in the U.S.  Furthermore, the lobby group such as the National Rifle Association have pressured on the congress to interrupt gun control laws.