Commonsense gun laws have gained traction in the past years due to the rising number of mass shootings, especially in schools. The aim of these laws is not to impact the Second Amendment or require changes in the Constitution. Americans primarily support these efforts because, at the core, they are keeping communities safer.
The need for better federal laws
Every day, approximately 120 Americans die from gunshot wounds. Mass shootings are reaching her heights, and 25 years after the Columbine tragedy, many have become desensitized to gun violence. Still, the majority of Americans support gun reforms, though some of the common sense gun control measures are more popular than others.
What’s inside the commonsense gun control?
Commonsense gun control includes prohibiting open carry, increasing the minimum age for purchasing guns, banning high-capacity magazines, increasing federal punishments for gun trafficking, regulating ghost guns, and more. There are also questions about where guns should be banned and dealing with loopholes in state and country laws.
Who wants these laws?
Many initiatives fighting for these laws come from victims’ families, and they are joined by the American Medical Association, American Bar Association, American Psychological Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics. While many see it as a political issue, these initiatives ask for bipartisan solutions to make America safer.
Inside critical points of commonsense gun laws
H.R.7910, or the Protecting Our Kids Act, passed the House in September, but its destiny is still undecided. Sadly, only 35 percent of Americans believe the government will pass these changes. If it becomes effective, it will not, for the most part, influence responsible gun owners, but here are some highlights that will help you understand how this does not affect the Second Amendment.
Background checks
According to a Politico and Morning Consult poll, this proposal has the approval of over 85 percent of Americans. It would fill in the gaps in the federal background check laws, including buying from a private person. If one is buying from a licensed dealer, they send data to the FBI, and convicted felons, legally incompetent and restraining orders, cannot complete the purchase.
States have their gun laws
Despite nearly half of US states having background checks in place, the rest can go, arm themselves, and commit crimes. That’s why a federal background check is needed: to determine whether someone could use it not to protect themselves but to harm others.
Increasing the minimum age for purchasing guns
The Violence Project found that mass shooters are mostly boys and men, and the average age is 18. This is important to understand because, as many experts pointed out, our brains aren’t fully developed until the mid-20s.
Taking pages out of insurance companies
Insurance companies charge higher rates for those under 25 because of the higher statistical likelihood of accidents. The gun reforms would raise the age to 21, and it would likely be only for assault weapons of higher capacity.
Ban of high-capacity magazines
The average magazine has five to ten rounds, but some can hold over 30. These weapons can cause a lot of damage and can be helpful in wars but not on the streets. Even hunters have restrictions on magazines, yet only a couple of states have bans in place.
No way to stop a shooter
Over 310,000 students experienced gun violence since the Columbine, and with the rise of high-capacity magazines, there is no way to stop a shooter until it is too late. Shooters stop to recharge, but with high-capacity magazines, they can do more damage.
Ghost guns
Ghost guns and 3D-printed guns are two different categories, but what connects them is that they are impossible to trace. Ghost guns are assembled by components purchased as a kit or as separate pieces. They can be homemade and are gaining reactions among violent criminals, gun traffickers, and others who wouldn’t legally be able to get guns.
3D printed guns
3D-printed guns are made outside the traditional supply chain, so they are, too, untraceable. These guns are partially or largely produced with a 3D printer, and many argue that they are not safe for the shooter, as well as for the victim. However, the laws are also needed since 3D production is growing, and so will these guns.
Training and Insurance
The idea is to regulate guns similarly to cars. According to the American Journal of Public Health, Connecticut’s example should be followed. It stated that the requirement for gun licenses made a 28 percent drop in gun-related killings and around 23 to 40 percent decrease in gun-related self-inflicted deaths.
Banning assault rifles
The US had an assault rifle ban from 1994 to 2004. Since the reintroduction, assault rifles have been used in around 85 percent of mass shootings. Even hunters do not use them because they aim to destroy beyond recognition. Many states have these bans, but the US needs to work on them while continuing to practice constitutional freedoms.
Top 3 U.S. States That Almost No One Leaves (And for Good Reason)
Top 3 U.S. States That Almost No One Leaves (And for Good Reason)
Kate Smith, a self-proclaimed word nerd who relishes the power of language to inform, entertain, and inspire. Kate's passion for sharing knowledge and sparking meaningful conversations fuels her every word.