We all know that every day on average, 31 Americans are murdered with guns. We know that a gun in the home is 22 times more likely to be used to kill or injure in a domestic homicide, suicide, or unintentional shooting than to be used in self-defense. We know that since the Brady Bill was initially passed, about two million attempts to purchase firearms have been blocked due to a background check. About half of these blocked attempts were by felons.
We know so much, yet care so little about it. Those are the facts! There is so much evidence that indicates gun control is successful at keeping down crime rates involving guns. The problem here? People refuse to look at these facts and dismiss them completely. Just how compelling are those facts? Let's start from the very beginning.
America has 4.4 percent of the world's population, but almost half of the civilian-owned guns around the world.
This is the most basic accepted fact as it has no leaning. We can all agree that the U.S. has a disproportionate number of guns as compared to the rest of the world. This comes from our high number on gun manufacturers and relative ease for most to obtain the guns.
In 2015, there were more mass shootings than days in the year.
This calendar wasn't even completed and it still shows the truth. There is more than one mass shooting per day in America on average. When you turn on the TV and notice that you hear about this every day and think that the media is just milking it, they're not-they're just reporting it. The media is sticking to the bad news, not only because it's popular, but because it just keeps happening and there is no denying it.
States with higher gun ownership tend to have higher rates of gun-related deaths.
The general trend in the U.S. goes: more guns, more gun-related deaths. We can all debate about the reason and the crime rates, and this and that, but at the end of the day, here are the facts again. More guns equals more gun-related deaths. The trend is very evident.
OK, it is established that the U.S. has an abundance of firearms, and alongside of that, it is tied to an increased number of mass shootings and gun-related deaths.
How about the trend in other countries?
Less gun ownership per capita, as well as lower mass shootings and gun-related deaths per capita. When controlling for gun ownership percentages, the U.S. looks like this. Incredibly high gun ownership correlates with incredibly high gun-related deaths, the same way that an incredibly low gun ownership rate correlates with an incredibly low gun-related death rate.
So what are we going to do about it?
Change can only come from reform, and that reform takes the shape of gun control. No, this doesn't mean ripping firearms from the hands of hardworking Americans. It means we have to push for common sense gun reform. Those with prior, major mental health issues shouldn't be able to purchase firearms as this is directly against the safety of the general populace. Those charged with domestic abuse shouldn't be able to purchase firearms while living near those who they've tormented. People under investigation from government agencies for possible terror connections shouldn't be allowed to purchase firearms. These all make sense! This type of reform doesn't affect those who are safe and responsible.
How do we go about enforcing this? Background checks must be necessary for ALL purchases of firearms and ammunition. Currently, there are many gun sellers, particularly at gun shows, who aren't required to perform a background check during gun sales. So instead of going through a dealer who would perform a background check, anyone seeking a gun with malicious intent could go around this incredibly easily, and show up to a gun show with cash in hand and walk out without even raising an eyebrow.
How about we all open our eyes, unclog our ears and start to fully comprehend the situation we as a nation have found ourselves in. It is time for progressive action, not the opposite.
