It is estimated that more than a third of Americans own a gun. These people include hunters, collectors and those who use firearms for safety.
The second amendment was passed by Congress in 1789 and later ratified in 1791, and states that “a well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
This amendment gives people a sense of security. For any reason you feel the need to defend your life or others, it is necessary and appropriate to use a gun.
However, second amendment crosses a line when firearms are used otherwise.
During Route 91, a country music festival located in Las Vegas, over 50 people were killed and more than 500 people were injured.
How can one person hurt so many people?
“Investigators discovered 23 guns in his hotel room in Las Vegas in the immediate hours after the attack, plus another 24 at his homes in Mesquite and Verdi, Nevada, near Reno” stated Dakin Andone.
Paddock was able to buy guns from different states, creating this stockpile. Different states have different laws for firearms, and there isn’t a national registry for total guns a person can have.
Gun laws in Texas allow you to carry a gun openly if you are 21 or older with the ownership of a license.
Imagine walking down the meat aisle of a grocery store and seeing someone nonchalantly carrying a firearm.
In contrast to Texas, California has the strictest gun laws in the nation.
To purchase a firearm, the sale must be through a California dealer with a license under the Dealer’s Record of Sale (DROS) and the buyer waits 10 days before receiving the weapon. You must be over the age of 18 in order to buy a rifle or shotgun and over 21 to buy a handgun. Along with the purchase, you must show evidence that you are a resident, including a DMV or military license and a background check.
Non-citizens need proof that they are a legal resident along with documents showing they live in California, like a utility bill, and must have either a handgun safety certificate or a safety demonstration.
Aside from mass shootings, half of all suicides include the use of guns. Many of those incidents were children whose parents are the owners of the firearm.
“I thought it was a good idea…buying a handgun to defend my family in case of a break in,” said Ryan Caruso, “but it was the stupidest and most irresponsible thing that I have ever done in my life.”
Caruso’s son Alex killed himself with the same weapon that was bought to protect, not to destroy. Caruso feels he is to blame and believes that if there was no gun in the house, his son would be alive today.
Caruso isn’t the only parent to lose a child due to gun violence. Sean Rossman stated that 40 percent of teen suicide deaths are committed by a firearm, which among young people is often an impulsive act with 10 minutes or less of deliberation.
Lastly, I want to mention gun deaths that occur by “accident.” On Sept. 28th, a father in Apple Valley accidentally shot his 2-year-old daughter while he was cleaning his gun. The bullet went through the ceiling, into the second floor and shot the child in the stomach. The child went through surgery and is now in a stable condition.
It’s crazy that accidents like this even happen.
Aside from America, it is proven that other countries with fewer guns have fewer deaths by firearms.
When California decided to take more control over gun violence, there was a decrease in injuries and deaths.
I personally never understood why people own guns, much less want to shoot them. Whether it be a mass shooting, suicide caused by guns or an accident, there has to be some kind of tipping point for our country to consider stricter gun control laws.
