The ownership right of firearms in the United States is the starting point for the argument about the control of guns. The idea was enshrined in the United States constitution. The ultimate defense against implementing the strict laws of gun control is the second amendment, in which different experts interpreted them differently. It is challenging to control ownership of guns since the US citizen possesses almost half of the entire guns owned by civilians worldwide (Meadows,2018). This high possession of guns is related to the approaches of selling guns whereby guns are sold legally as well as illegally in pawn shops, online and second hand. The regulation of firearms in the US varies with many loopholes.
There is no single profile that can predict reliably someone that can apply the use of a firearm in the act of violence. The violence of guns is associated with a confluence of community, school, and sociocultural hazard aspects during youthful and teenage years. The history of violent behavior is a powerful and consistent predictor of future violence. Eliminating the possession of guns among civilians will not be a solution if we fail to explain why the perpetrators of gun violence are increasing. Prohibiting the provision for firearms to the increased-risk groups such as persons with psychological disorders, offenders of domestic violence, and persons convicted with violent crimes seem to be the best way of reducing violence. Te debate on gun control in America has no easy answer.
The two turning points in the history of gun politics in America include the emergence of crime as a political issue under the mantra war on crime and the transformation of the National Rifle association into a robust organization of political lobbying. The crime was placed at the center of the American psyche in the 1960s, expanding the system of criminal justice and increasing social disorder and fears of crime (Alpers, 2020). The advocates for gun rights and gun control saw the increase in the benefits of their respective political platforms.
Americans have the right to possess and carry firearms. The high rates of gun possession relate to the variety of gun sales. Restricting and tracking ownership of guns in America is a challenge because the age limits, background checks, availability of the number of guns, and eligibility vary from place to place. Some of the states do not require permits for individuals buying guns. Age is the only regulated restriction that is unified by the federal law. States do not have on the number of guns an individual can own. With many reported incidences of violence related to guns and the regulation inconsistencies, there have been calls for effective gun control. However, there have been incidences where well-funded vocal groups claim that guns are significant when it comes to the protection of the life of an individual. They also argue that gun ownership is a constitutional right, as well as overbearing the government.
The US citizens can buy or sell guns online without any obligation of conducting the buyer's background check. The sales are permitted to continue if the government fails to issue a non-criminal record of the buyer within the three days of business transactions. Gun selling can take place anywhere. The private selling of firearms is legal. These government regulations are the reason behind the lamenting of people on the incredible inconveniences of acquitting a firearm in the US by criminals.
Political affairs of firearms in the united states are distinct by two opposing principal philosophies about gun possession by the civilians. Individuals advocating for control of guns support the increasing regulations that are related to the ownership of guns. On the other hand, individuals advocating for gun rights support the decreasing regulation about the ownership of guns. Both the groups never agree on court cases and law interpretation related to the firearms. They also differ on the effects of regulation of firearm on public safety and crime. A high number of guns per capita is estimated in the US. The constitution of the United States on the second amendment allows the citizens to possess and keep guns (Kposowa et al., 2015).
The availability of firearms and violence of guns have sparked a debate raising concerns about the right to the gun ownership present in the US constitution on the Second Amendment. The fourteenth amendment adopted in 1941, together with the second amendment, subjected their effects on the decision of the supreme court. The court long-established that the second amendment permits an individual the right to retain guns and use them for traditionally lawful intentions like self-defense. The supreme court, therefore, endorsed the second amendment the individual right theory and thus rejecting a rival meaning that was the collective right theory of the fourteenth amendment. It protected the right of the united states to maintain individual or militia's right to keep and own guns concerning the militia duties.
The subject of controlling firearms in the united states was marginal in politics until the development of a lobbying arm by the NRA. NRA uses an approach that opposes all incidences that attempt to spearhead gun control policies. This has led to the failure of the US to implement comprehensive control of guns. NRA is a powerful force in Washington with members of around five million American individuals who fund the politicians as well as lobbying for and against the government. The massive chain of benefits developed between the NRA and the politicians enacted a barricade in front of the gun control efforts (Annex, 2016). With the availability of political interests, it has been hard for the success of gun control despite the death toll that is growing. In recent years, the opinion polls have indicated that a considerable number of Americans fully support a comprehensive federal law of gun control. Most of them stated the fear about their lives, yet the politicians in the Whitehouse enjoying the benefits in the chain halted the move.
