Each year in the United States, more than 30,000 people are killed by firearms and more than 30 people are shot and murdered each day, half of them between the ages of 18 and 35.
Let that sink in.
If you still don't think gun violence is an issue and gun laws don't need to be reformed, here is the number of gun violence related incidents as of June 18, 2016.
Numbers do not lie.
Gun laws need reformation, and they need to come now.
In light of the most recent attack in Orlando, which left 50 people dead and 53 injured - marking it as the deadliest shooting in U.S. history - the country is looking for answers. Answers to questions like, how is it that a man formerly questioned by the FBI was allowed to purchase multiple firearms? Why is it that stricter background checks aren't being used in certain areas? Why is it so "easy" to purchase a firearm? And the most puzzling question: why is purchasing assault rifles and weapons legal?
In 40 percent of incidents, killers use an assault weapon.
In 79 percent of mass shootings, the weapons are obtained legally.
The second amendment states:
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
Yes, the amendment states the people have the right to keep and bear arms; however, that does not mean that the government cannot reform the laws to make obtaining and keeping a gun or weapon stricter. People have to keep in mind that the Bill of Rights was written in the late 1700s, when hunting was much more important in order to maintain a lifestyle and weapons and ammunition was not as complex and advanced as it is now.
I completely agree with the fact that a person should have the right to own a gun, strictly when it is obtained and kept properly. However, I also believe that gun ownership should be restricted to handguns and shotguns that are not semi-automatic or fully automatic. The reason for this being that most people say that they own a gun for the purposes of hunting and protection. Therefore, if these are your two purposes, what is the need for an automatic or semi-automatic gun? If you use them for hunting, you're basically tearing the animal up, leaving nothing to salvage, and if you're using them for protection, you would do the same to the person.
We currently live in a world of advancement, and in this country, specifically, we are not at the same level as we were in the 1700s. As a whole we have advanced and modernized and so has our weapons. We no longer have muskets; instead many own semi automatic and fully automatic weapons. Therefore, a lot has changed in regards to gun standards from the time the second amendment was written.
Ultimately, my point is that if we are going to reform gun laws, a major concern should be for the semi and fully automatic weapons. There is absolutely no necessity for a civilian to own a machine gun or an assault riffle, regardless under the excuses of protection and hunting. These types of weapons should solely be used for military purposes because let's be realistic - many complications come from them.
Regardless of how careful or mentally stable one is to purchase such a weapon, there is literally no purpose - instead they become "toys." For example, toys in the concept of owning one just because one can, or for collection purposes.
Unfortunately, innocent lives are lost daily due to the use of guns. And although many who own them are capable and stable, it's those who are not that put society at risk.
I do not feel comfortable living in a society where it is legal for people to purchase such deadly weapons. I do not feel comfortable living in a society where almost every night I hear about gun incidences occurring in my city or surrounding cities. I do not feel comfortable living in a society where you have to be suspicious of everyone around you, praying that they are sane and are not going to start shooting. I do not feel comfortable living in a society where gun laws are not strict.
And I know I do not speak solely on behalf of myself, but on behalf of many others around me. Gun violence is a major problem - how many more lives need to be taken in order for people to realize?
