In 2017, data showed that at least 15,549 people were killed by guns in the United States, excluding most suicides. Under Florida law, you don't need a permit to purchase an assault weapon, and you don't need a license to carry it. After yet another school shooting, and yet another nation and worldwide debate on gun violence, we must ask ourselves: how many deaths are we willing to witness before gun sales are regulated? If the ability to buy a gun effortlessly (and be killed by one just as effortlessly) is indeed a right that US citizens have, here are 10 things that are much harder (and much less lethal) to attain in the United States.
1. Milk
Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that unpasteurized milk can contain germs that can "make you very sick or even kill you" (CDC). As a result, laws are strict in the US when it comes to the sales of unpasteurized milk. In fact, in 20 states, the sales of unpasteurized milk is illegal, and in others it is limited to certain farms and certain stores.
In the US, from 1993 to 2006, 121 outbreaks were linked to dairy products - both pasteurized and unpasteurized. In these 13 years, these outbreaks caused by milk resulted in 3 deaths. In 2016, there were more than 38,000 gun-related deaths in the US. Due to the dangers associated with milk, sales are restricted. Due to the dangers associated with guns, nothing is done.
2. A Driver's License
In all states in the US, you need a driver's license to get behind the wheel. The process of getting a driver's license involves providing a birth certificate and/or a passport, a Social Security number, two proofs of address. You are also required to take a written and driving test (and pass it) as well as a 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education class (and pass that too). You'll also have to have at least 50 hours behind the wheel, 10 of those hours required to be logged at night.
In Florida, you don't need a permit to purchase a gun. You don't need a license to own one.
4. Cold Medicine
When leaving for a long trip, I made sure to stock up on some medicinal essentials, just in case I got sick. When I went to the pharmacy, I was unable to buy more than 1 packet of Tylenol and was questioned as to why I was buying it and how I was intending to use it. Some cold medicines such as Sudafed contain pseudoephedrine, which one of the ingredients used to make methamphetamine.
If you want to purchase certain cold medicines, such as Sudafed, Tylenol, and countless others, you'll have to provide your ID to verify your identity. You also won't be able to purchase more than a certain amount, and you'll have submitted your personal information to the pharmacy or store so they can track you and prevent you from purchasing more.
There's more regulation buying medicine that can cure a cold than weapons that can kill people.
5. Food Stamps
To qualify for food stamps, you must pass a net and gross income test, and meet the household income requirements.
6. Solar Panels
If you are in Florida and are in need of a gun, you can in many cases sign a plan in the gun store that will allow you to take your gun home today and pay it off in installments.
On the contrary, if you are in Florida and would like to purchase solar panels to make your home more eco-friendly, you are required to pay the full price upfront and not allowed to pay in installments.
7. Alcohol
In the United States, a person under the age of 21 can't purchase a beer. However, in certain states in the US, you can purchase a gun at 16 years old.
A 16-year-old, under that logic, is not responsible enough to consume liquor, but responsible enough to purchase his or her very own assault rifle.
8. An Abortion
If you're a woman needing to abort an unwanted pregnancy, you must have an ultrasound and then take part in in-person counseling. Then, you are mandated to wait a full 24 hours by law before you can receive the abortion. Right now, abortion is a hot topic in the United States, with politicians actively opposing it and states attempting to pass laws to make it illegal, or at least, very difficult.
Gun purchase in most states, on the contrary, requires no counseling and demands no waiting period.
9. A License to Cut Hair
In some US states, you need a barber's license to cut hair, which has a list of necessary requirements, as well as 1,500 hours of training.
To cut someone's hair, you need a permit and additional training. To attain a deadly weapon, you don't even need a permit.
10. Adopting A Pet
Adopting a pet can be a strenuous and long process. Depending on the shelter you are adopting from, there is a process of determining whether you and your home is fit to include a new pet. This process includes forms, payment, and in some cases, home visits.
When adopting a pet, you can't just go and pick one up - you have to be determined to be a fit owner, unlike when owning a gun.
