#proguncontrol

According to a 2007 report by the Swiss-based Small Arms Survey, the United States, with less than 5 percent of the global population, possesses  35-50 percent of the world’s civilian owned guns - a number which totals to approximately 270 million (cfr.org).  Up until now, the Supreme Court has upheld the American citizens’ constitutional right to bear arms.  And so it should continue to uphold that right, but designate a few more national prerequisites to gun ownership as well.  The current federal gun control policy sets a minimum standard for states, which then have the authority to implement more lenient or more strict gun control policies.  

The limited federal legislation on gun control has been in place for decades.  It is archaic and ineffective. The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibited the sale of firearms to all those under the age of 18, as well as those with criminal records, the mentally disabled, dishonorably discharged military personnel, etc. 25 years later, in 1993, that law was expanded upon by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, an act which mandated background checks for all unlicensed people purchasing a gun from a federally licensed dealer.  But these laws simply are doing the job. (cfr.org)

The United States gun control policy is ridden with loopholes.  Anyone - from criminals to the clinically insane - is able to buy a gun sans background check at gun shows.  According to the New York Times, background checks are utilized in only 60% of legal gun transactions.  Even when background checks are employed, they’re far from thorough.  Many states refuse to release mental illness files to federal government databases, and the background check system is completely inconsistent.  

More guns means more lives lost. Therefore buying a gun should not be easy, in fact, the U.S. government has a responsibility to make it much, much harder.  Today, President Obama is calling for reform on gun policy.  Unfortunately, both he and passionate gun policy advocates like myself must realize that it is not pragmatic, nor realistic, to expect the American system will be completely transformed, but the following proposals are nothing but reasonable.  

The Federal government must close background check loopholes to ensure only mentally stable, record free citizens have access to firearms.  Yes, this means background checks for ALL gun sales, especially those that fall under “private” or “gun show” loopholes.  A federal mandate must be issued requiring states to release mental health information - as well as hefty incentives for them to do so. Federal Agencies must also be held responsible for sharing all reliable information pertinent to the sale of firearms to the Federal Government.  At least 38 of the above mentioned 62 killers showed signs of mental illness before committing their respective crimes - had they been prevented purchase of firearms, countless lives would have been saved.  

Not only does it need to be more difficult to buy a gun, but the American people should not have access to such dangerous guns.  All assault and military grade weapons should be banned to the American public.  Magazines should be limited to 10 rounds, as well.  Most shooters involved in gun homicides are not well trained. Thus taking into account their low accuracy, the amount of hits would be decreased further by smaller magazines (fewer rounds).  The shooters at Virginia Tech, Tucson, Aurora, Oak Creek, and Newtown all used magazines holding more than 10 rounds - and coincidentally, the death counts from each of the shootings was especially high.            

Finally, the American government must increase access to mental health services.  Over 80% of mental illnesses go undiagnosed, and coincidentally, 90% of gun suicides are committed by the undiagnosed mentally ill (iccd.org).  Gun control wouldn’t only prevent murder, it would prevent suicide, as well.   

On a final note, 72% of gun homicides are committed using handguns rather than military assault rifles or high-magazine firearms.  It’s clear that too many people are able to purchase guns. Period. If nothing else comes of these tragedies, America needs a more stringent gun application process.  Believe me, we would reap the benefits. There are already 270 million guns in circulation here in the U.S., and we cannot afford for that number to grow (cnn.com)