The debate over gun control has grown more intense than ever before. The continuous gun control debate is a result of widespread gun violence across America, mass shootings in particular. The gun control debate is important because mass shootings have become normal news in American culture. Each night you Americans tune into their local news to learn of a new homicide or shooting in their community. News reports about gun violence no longer possess shock value, it feels like just another day in America. The violent killings at Columbine High School in 1999 garnered far more attention than a 2016 shooting at a South Carolina elementary school. Newsweek Reports, “A teenager shot and wounded two children and a teacher at an elementary school in South Carolina, before being taken into custody on Wednesday, police said at a news conference.” (Reuters). One of the most alarming mass shootings occurred in 2012 at a Connecticut elementary school where twenty children and six staff members were killed. Even after the brutal killings of twenty children between the ages of six and seven, lawmakers still refused to consider stronger gun control laws. Alexandra Svokos of Elite Daily reports, “...on December 14, 2012, a man walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and killed 20 children and six adults. Since then, Congress has not passed any laws restricting people's access to guns to prevent future tragedies.” (Svokos).  Therefore, I ask if the death of these children will not urge lawmakers to make a change, what will? The idea of stronger gun control has been disputed mostly by conservative lawmakers who are concerned for their second amendment rights. Gun control is not an impossible feat and can be accomplished with the help of pressure from American citizens, voting for politicians who support control, and creating a bill that both parties can agree upon.

A desire for change from citizens can be effective in the form of marches and petitions. Americans must recognize the power of the people. One may say that protesting is not an effective method to achieve your goals. Granted Americans will not witness an immediate change of heart from the government, but marches and petitions create motivation to keep reaching for your goal. Dan Kopf of Quartz states, “Their research shows that protest does not work because big crowds send a signal to policy-makers—rather, it’s because protests get people politically activated.” (Kopf).  The voice of the American people has been used as an instrument activate victories such as the 19th Amendment for women and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for African-Americans. A study conducted by a Princeton professor, Omar Wasow, explored the effectivity of protesting during the civil rights movement.  He concludes that protests must maintain nonviolent attitudes and actions to be affective. The professor says, “Nonviolence conveys moderation, and when things escalate to violence, that signals a radical or extreme movement,” (Wasow). In regards to gun control, Americans must be louder. There must be protests much like those of We The People For Sensible Gun Laws. The Washington Post states, “Since July 2012, the advocacy group of about a half-dozen seniors has been protesting in front of the White House every Monday.” (Kim). Persistent pressure from American citizens will eventually force politicians to act on the matter at hand.

Stronger gun control laws have not been produced because there must be bipartisan agreement. The decision is based upon the ideas of elected government officials. Ultimately, the people hold the power. A Washington Post article reminds readers after multiple deadly shootings, “Of those killed or injured, 74 were under age 12. We hope that voters keep those numbers in mind when they make decisions this year about who should represent them in public office.” (Editorial Board). If the citizens of this country want to accomplish a change in gun control policies, then they must vote for likeminded politicians. Gun control advocates in the House of Representatives held a sit-in in hopes for a gun bill after the deadliest mass shooting in American history. The sit-in contributed to the momentum of stronger gun control, but advocates were not able to force a bill. NBC News reports, “As midnight Thursday rolled in, the sit-in lasted for over 12 hours.” (Russert, Moe, Abdullah, and Siemaszko). Perhaps a twelve hour sit-in with no immediate results would not be necessary if Americans elected officials who do support stronger gun control.

Gun regulations must require documentation and a license for every gun owner in America, even those sold personally. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence explains, “Unfortunately, current federal law requires criminal background checks only for guns sold through licensed firearm dealers, which account for just 60% of all gun sales in the United States.” Almost half of gun sales in America are conducted without heavy supervision. The advocate group continues, “A loophole in the law allows individuals not “engaged in the business” of selling firearms to sell guns without a license—and without processing any paperwork. That means that two out of every five guns sold in the United States change hands without a background check. Keep background checks in place and direct more attention to those who own firearms,” The process for purchasing a gun should be extended, because it should not be easier to access a gun than a vehicle. Author James Jacobs states, “Handgun control advocates envision a registration system that would resemble automobile registration.” (Jacobs 151).  The automobile method is a simple solution to what appears to be such a complex debate. Buy a gun, license the gun, and keep registration connected to the weapon. All unregistered guns must be confiscated. As Jacobs says, “Car owners do not ‘resist’ the registration requirement; they feel no risk of impending car confiscation.” (Jacobs 151). Car owners do not resist lengthy vehicle registration, so all potential gun owners must accept the same for their firearms. 

Along with a gun control bill, there should be work done to improve the socioeconomic aspect of life. Once people experience a better lifestyle, they may stray away from violence. In a journal titled, “Gun Control is a Misfire: What Liberals and the NRA Get Wrong”, Marc Cooper argues that gun control advocates have missed the mark, for they should not focus on guns, but the people that own them. He says that liberals who desire gun control and their opposers, the NRA, are exaggerating their arguments which makes it hard to address the issue at hand. Mass shootings garner a great amount of attention, but isolated shootings and suicides account for most instances of gun violence. Cooper states, “Gun suicides since 2010, in fact, have ticked slightly upward. Would any gun control measure slow down the suicide rate? I have no idea, nor does anybody else,” (Cooper 16). The journalist also provides statistics that breakdown the homicide and suicide rates by race. African-American homicide rate is a whopping 82% against the 18% suicide rate. On the other hand, White Americans experience 23% of homicides against a 77% suicide rate. Government officials must devote their efforts to improve mental health and economic status for all Americans which may decrease the alarming rates of homicide and suicide. Cooper cites an assistant state attorney who suggests an end to the War on Drugs. The attorney states, “Ending the War on Drugs would effectively reduce gun violence more than any other possible reform or change,” says former Cook County assistant state attorney and drug-legalization advocate Jim Gierach.” (Cooper 20). The end of the War on Drugs would target the 82% homicide rate among African-Americans. 

Those who do not favor gun control fear they will be stripped of their second amendment rights. A Junior Scholastic article explains, “Gun rights advocates see weapon possession as a matter of individual rights. They say that people have the right to arm themselves for hunting, self-defense, and sport— or just because they want to.” (Junior Scholastic 15). Gun rights advocates must understand that the goal is not to take guns away from the good guys, but protect Americans from preventable violence. The Second Amendment of the Constitution was last revised in 1992 during an era that is incomparable regarding gun violence today. Since then, the Supreme Court has ruled in two 5-to-4 decisions, that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep a loaded firearm for self-defense. The right to bear arms deserves nothing but respect, but there must be focus on the individual before obtaining the loaded firearm. Americans against stronger gun control also fear their safety. The article continues, “Rather than being a danger, gun owners say, weapons can make society safer. They maintain that guns give people the power of self-defense, and dissuade criminals from victimizing people who might be armed” (Junior Scholastic 15). The idea that one must “fight fire with fire” denies weaker gun control activist the ability to recognize the detrimental factors. 

Non-supporters of gun control shared the common argument that regulation would not effectively shift crime rates. One source argues that if change did occur, crime rates would in fact increase.  I disagree, because I believe it is possible to enforce a law that does not threaten current gun owners. Therefore, there would not be a surge in black market purchases. Crime would not increase if gun control focuses on regulating who can access firearms and the general well-being of Americans. Sources in favor of gun control focus on the severity of gun violence in America.

 There is a misconception that those in favor of gun control are the only supporters of the Second Amendment, that is simply not true. Stronger gun control advocates are also supporters of gun rights and the Second Amendment. Advocates also have the ability to recognize the massive rates of gun violence and demand provisions to improve violent statistics in America. The urgency for stronger gun control is undeniable and can be proven through a map of America that displays the relationship between gun laws and gun-related deaths in 2014 provided by Meghan Rosen in, “Misfires in the Gun Control Debate”. Almost every state has a double-digit statistic, proving the necessity for action concerning gun violence. States that prefer weak gun control laws also have significantly higher fatality rates than those who have stronger laws.

Stronger gun control is a concept that must be accepted by all Americans and enforced in order to benefit the United States of America. Previously I asked, What does it take for lawmakers to enforce stronger gun control laws? Persistent protests are a great way to create momentum and motivate American citizens and government officials. We The People For Sensible Gun Laws are a great example of the leadership that America needs to move toward stronger gun control.  Next, American voters must divert their attention to who they are voting for. Citizens have to use their powerful votes to achieve what some may call the impossible. The impossible can actually be accomplished with respective public officials who support the agenda.  Gun owners may begin to acquire guns in the same manner that drivers acquire a vehicle and registration. Ultimately, compromise is the answer to reaching an agreement for stronger gun control. 
