CW: mentions of violence and deaths.

What’s the problem- the guns or the people behind them? Guns protect us, our families, our neighborhoods, and our cities from anything that may harm us. The problem is when they land in the wrong hands. The federal law tries to ensure that only people with good intent and clean backgrounds are allowed to have access to firearms.  Unfortunately, this isn’t enough as around 500 people die every day due to violence committed with firearms. The government needs to improve the requirements for people to access guns if we want to control gun violence.

The current federal law states that federally licensed firearm dealers are required to run background checks on anyone who would like to purchase a gun. They are required to use the FBI/National instant criminal background check system to see if there is any previous criminal history, protection orders, or warrants. If everything is clear, they are allowed to purchase a firearm. Washington became the first state in this nation to pass a law for background checks in 2014 and guns were invented way back in the 10th century. It took thousands upon thousands of people dying for them to even begin trying to make restrictive laws.  

If so many people have died, why haven’t there been improvements made to background checks? Many Republicans are opposed to any changes or restrictions on guns. As it is a right stated in the second amendment. People believe there is nothing wrong and that it is anyone’s right to have guns. After big shootings like in Dayton, Ohio, the media focused widely on gun violence because that was a huge issue at the time. The issue is that the media spotlight fades quickly. After it dies down, people begin to focus on other things. Just because the spotlight died down, doesn’t at all mean that the issue is resolved. The government isn’t doing enough to protect us.

There is so much that could be done to prevent or at least lower the risk of people dying from firearms. The first thing that needs to be done is intensify and deepen the background checks. Just running background checks to see someone’s past does not define if they are fit for a weapon. I believe that every person who is seeking to buy a gun should be required to have a session with a counselor or therapist to determine if they are fit. This could eliminate many unfit people from having access to firearms and potentially harming people. We also need to start establishing a culture for gun safety.  We need to reduce the access of firearms to youth and people that are at risk of harming themselves or others. We need to educate our children from a young age about the dangers and powers of firearms instead of just telling them they are bad and not to touch them. We need to start holding the gun industry accountable and make sure that there is good oversight over the sales and marketing of guns. There is so much more that could be done to prevent more people from losing their lives.

The problem with gun violence is not at the fault of the guns, it’s the fault of the people behind the guns and the ones selling them. The laws currently in place are clearly not enough to keep unfit people from guns. We can’t forget the importance of improving our laws. Even a little improvement on the process to get access to guns could make a difference in the safety of your family or a loved one.