Why Do We Need Stricter Gun Control Laws?

Hawaii has the lowest gun death rate in the nation. Statistics from 2013 reveal that states with gun violence laws that aren’t robust with higher rates of gun ownership possess the highest overall gun death rate in the nation. Simultaneously, states with the lowest overall gun death rates have lower rates on gun ownership and strong gun violence prevention laws. It is vital that states adopt stricter gun violence laws because they will decrease fatalities, reduce school shootings, and prevent accidents. As a matter of fact, tougher gun laws will help decrease fatalities. In the article “Change your gun laws, America” by Fareed Zakaria he states that, “In 2008, Japan had just 11 gun homicides. Eleven. Why? Hint: It has very tough gun-control laws.” Zakaria justifies that because of Japan's tough gun laws, they’re capable of minimizing their deaths.
Furthermore, having reliable gun laws will reduce school shootings.
In the article “Harry Reid Open To Gun Control Debate After Sandy Hook Shooting” by Michael McAuliff he quotes Reid, “As President Obama said last night, no one law can erase evil. No policy can prevent a determined madman from committing a senseless act of violence," he said. "But we need to accept the reality that we are not doing enough to protect our citizens.” Reid selects a quote from President Obama as an example to clarify that even though we can’t make all school shooting disappear, there should be efforts put in to reduce them. Additionally, effective gun laws will prevent accidents. In the article “Gun and Shooting Accidents” By Vincent Iannelli he states that, “Childhood gun and shooting accidents are not rare. They are one of the top ten leading causes of accidental death for all age groups outside of newborns and infants.” Iannelli provides evidence on the negative effects it has on the lives of innocent children and concludes gun laws should be put into
effect. Not withstanding, the gun control fight is about our deeper need for safety and identity. In the article “Gun Control: It’s Really About Guns As Symbols, Not Weapons” by David Ropeik he states that, “Millions of people with such feelings want guns less to protect themselves against physical danger and more to protect themselves from the threat of a society they feel is eroding their ability to control their own lives.” Ropeik vindicates that having possession of a gun is necessary because they believe it provides protection and safety. Even though others perceives guns as a source of protection, it has a downfall because even though guns don’t kill people, they do make killing easier. Meanwhile, shooting has been an Olympic sport since the first games in 1896, with 17 different events in the modern summer Olympics, and 53 cumulative gold medals won by the US, the most of any nation by far. In the article “Shooting guns: It’s rather fun actually” by The Economist Newspaper they state that, “…from afar, American gun culture appears utterly insane. Americans are far more likely to murder someone or to kill themselves than people in almost all Western European countries, largely because guns make it easier… Yet shooting is fun. And what European – and liberal Americans – often don’t realize is that these deadly weapons are also an accessible, affordable, and interesting hobby for millions of people.” The Economist Newspaper distinguishes guns as as a way for someone to equalize power and overcome perceived oppression. Gun violence has been a very prominent issue in the United States and without the application of necessary laws, the social consequences of guns will continue to be conflicts the people will face. This is a wake-up call to legislators, there is no higher priority for elected officials that keep individuals safe from death and injury.