People around the world are shaken and stunned by the recent, violent terror attacks in Orlando. This repulsive and horrific event has not only changed the world, but has reminded us of one of America’s biggest issues: Gun Control.
Every year more than 30,000 Americans die because of firearms in this country. This is an outrageous number of people who die because of gun violence, 25% higher than any other developed country in the world. These statistics tell us the story of how widespread owning guns has become in the United States.
According to the fourth amendment, we are protected the right to bear arms, but to what extent? Allowing home-bred terrorists to buy army-style, rotating barrel rifles that allow them to brutally kill tens at a time? There is no reason anybody with good intentions would buy these types of assault weapons. All leisurely activities involving firearms such as hunting and sport shooting can be done without the use of assault weapons. And for the matter of using guns for safety, any ordinary shot gun can kill a person, you don’t need a rotating barrel style AK-47 to protect yourself. It only makes common sense to leave assault rifles for the battlefield and in the hands of trained members of the military.
Also, according to the current system of purchasing guns, only a minimal background check is required. It only asks basic questions such as if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony or committed to a mental institution and only 1% of all applicants are ever denied. Moreover, if one cannot pass this simple background check then there is a really obvious loophole in our system. At gun shows, gun buyers are not even required to go through any type of background check. These gun shows can easily be found anywhere you live and allow anyone to buy guns. The process of buying guns has almost become a joke, people joke that it’s easier to buy a gun than adopt a puppy. With the lack of sufficient laws and regulations in preventing who can purchase a gun, it doesn’t come as a surprise that 80% of mass shooters including, the Orlando terrorist, Omar Mateen bought their assault weapon legally.
Moreover, the United States Federal Government doesn’t even prevent people marked on federal watch lists from buying guns. For example, Mateen was listed on two federal watch lists, including the FBI’s, yet was still allowed to buy semi-automatic rifles which he later used to fire round after round on the defenseless civilians at Pulse. It seems almost unreal and outrageous that the U.S. Government would willingly allow someone on the terror list buy guns, knowing he may use these guns to kill American citizens.
The U.S. Government needs to wake up and reform America’s gun policies immediately. We cannot have more assault rifles in the hands of potential terrorists and other violent criminals. With more comprehensive background checks that check current mental health, motives and watch list status, and closing loopholes in America’s gun industry we can make sure that guns don’t fall into the wrong hands and prevent horrific events like Orlando and Sandy Hook from repeating themselves.
