Impact of Tough Gun Laws on Crime Rates and Gun Suicide

Impact of Tough Gun Laws on Crime Rates and Gun Suicide

Introduction

Gun laws are the rules and regulations which govern the overall use and individual ownership of guns. Various researchers have argued that gun laws are not valid, while others have alluded that the requirements help combat criminal acts and are significant to the country. In this paper, we shall cover the gun laws concerning crime rates, gun violence, the mitigation measures, and the recommendations. Many people argue that strict gun laws do not affect crime rate and gun suicide, but I will show that the rate of crime in an area increases with guns’ availability.

Background

Violence and criminal acts in America and other parts of the world have become the order of the day. It has led to the need to find possible solutions to the problem. Political leaders and groups that control justice have come in with their opinions on the ownership of guns and how to manage the same. America has been on the receiving end when it comes to attacks related to firearms (The, Lancet, 2017.p.43). An average of 400, 000 people have died due to gun violence, a related case like homicides in the past decade alone. Several gun acts like the Free school gun act, Protection of Commerce, Federal Firearms, and National Firearms regulations were enacted.The majority ownership and carrying of guns have led to the prevalence of many cases involving gun violence and mass killings. It has been realized that people who own guns misuse them. For instance, when they are suddenly attacked or confused, they quickly give in and shoot. More than half of all homicides committed are due to the possession of firearms. Comprehensive studies have shown that owning guns has led to massive deaths. Data collected averages 70 % of the people who have guns with them end up committing suicide. These states include Alaska and Dakota. Moreover, inhabitants of regions like Rhode island will always record fewer cases of suicidal acts. Most of the deaths have been directly linked to trauma.However, there have also been opposing views that argue that reduced cases of murder and criminal acts are attributed to the fact that guns are everywhere. It can be confirmed by the figures collected in Hawaii and New York. Despite the cities harboring the majority of gun users, they have recorded a fewer number of deaths. The ownership makes criminals fear attacking people because they are also already armed. Criticism has all along been peddled, and accusations made mental disorders cause that gun violence. However, a study has shown that even if the nation invests all its resources in the health sector to reduce the number of mental cases, gun violence won’t reduce significantly (Metzl, 2015pg. 213). It is because mentally challenged people, according to statistics in the past decade, committed very few criminal acts related to firearm violence.The effect of gun laws to combat crimes and suicide have also received limitations. Over 200 million people have the arms in their possession in America. It becomes a problem to claim them back. Moreover, the dealers and sellers of the weapons are also stakeholders in the policy and regulatory units on gun laws (Rosen, 2016.pg 18). It because hard for them to pass legislation, which could, in turn, affect them. They also have access to licenses and use that authority to defy all the regulations.

Recommendations

Various recommendations have been tabled to control the use of guns to reduce crime rates and gun suicide. Offering gun violence research institutes and organization support is very crucial in mitigating the issue. It can be done through reporting criminals who live with the public and own guns to the state authorities and police officers who will take the necessary actions. More so, the organizations should be funded well to have the required technology to do research (McGinty, 2014.pg 104). The authorities should establish sensible gun policies. The policies shall ensure restricted access to firearms and also abolishing highly sophisticated weapons. The guns should be handled by the right people who are not youths or mentally challenged.To reduce crime rates and suicides, society’s social classes are responsible for intervening and helping individuals who have problems. Families should raise emotionally upright and healthy children through proper parenting. Individuals who have emotional distress and may be a threat to peace existence should be helped to overcome the situations (Lee, 2017.pg 123). The future of gun laws and ownership remains unpredictable. However, the court system has embarked on serious discussions that have led to an outbreak of contests on the issue. It is evident with the several banns on handguns in various cities.Conclusively, gun laws have a positive impact on reducing crime rates and suicide incidences. However, it can be discovered that the more people own guns increases the power and the brutality the criminals engage them. The culprits will try to use more sophisticated weapons to outshine the owners. Therefore it means that citizens own the more firearms, the higher the criminal incidences will rise. Proper amendments should be done to ensure that policymakers on gun lawyers are not interfered with