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Gun Control Policy in Texas

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Gun Control Policy in Texas

The debate on gun control has been going on for a long time. In the case of, District of

Columbia et al. v. Heller, the Supreme Court ruled that “The Second Amendment protects an

individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for

traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.” The Court reasoned that the

right to own weapons for self-defense was an “inherent” right of all people. Taking away the

right to bear arms would put victims of crimes without protection and deny them the right to self-

defense. In the United States, there are over twenty-thousand-gun control policies that regulate

the manufacture, sale, and possession of firearms by citizens (Williams, 2021). Laws regulating

firearms have shared authority between federal, state, and local governments. These laws include

restrictions for felons, open carry, concealed carry, background checks, handgun licenses, and

local regulation of firearms and shooting ranges.

With the recent shift in democratic majority and Joe Bidens presidency, the federal

government is pushing to pass stronger gun laws. On April 6th, 2021 President Joe Biden made

remarks regarding the steps he has made to approve gun policy changes without having to have

congressional approval (Williams, 2021). A few of those executive orders are called “red flag”

laws which allows states to remove firearms from a individuals’ possession who is deemed as

“dangerous”. President Biden also stated that these policies would in no way impinge on the

Second Amendment and any arguments suggesting that were “phony”. However, many

Republican political leaders and opponents of increased gun control laws are outraged and now

taking the necessary steps to protect their states and counties.

Over the years, The State of Texas has broadened self-defense laws and is known as a

“stand your ground” state. States that have enacted stand your ground laws, have made it legal

for a person to use deadly force to defend themselves without any obligation to retreat. These

regulations have protected law- abiding citizens from criminal charges who use firearms during

the act of self-defense (Williams, 2021). The safety of individuals cannot always be protected by
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police or even militia. Therefore, taking away guns will not make America any safer but can

impose a great risk to law abiding citizens in situations without defense.

Texas Governor, Greg Abbott has given support to House Bill 2622, which would make

Texas a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State.” This policy would prohibit Texas state agencies

and other political subdivisions from enforcing or providing any assistance to federal agencies

on any new federal laws, orders, rules or regulations on firearms, firearm accessories, or

ammunition inside the state. Many other states such as Nebraska, Idaho, and Virginia and more

than 270 counties support “Second Amendment sanctuaries (Williams, 2021).” Supporters argue

that gun ownership deters crime rather than cause more crime. This policy symbolizes that

Texas will forever be a state of refuge for the second amendment and their ability to protect

themselves, their families, homes, and places of business. Some of the states with strongest gun

control laws, still have higher violence and crime rates than those without strong gun laws. This

supports the fact that there is no evidence that any of the previous existing gun laws have made

any significant impact on reducing violence and crime.

Also, current gun control laws pose racist, aimed at inner city, poor, black communities

who are perceived as more dangerous than white gun owners. With the recent police brutality

and racial injustice, protests and debates sparked nationwide. There is clearly a problem that

needs to be addressed regarding numerous police-related deaths and the relationship between

law enforcement and race relations (Burris, 2021). If there is two people standing with guns, one

white and one black and the black individual is approached first there is clearly a problem. Gun

control laws are trying to make it harder for these individuals to carry firearms legally.

Sanctuary declarations also can cause issues between states and the national government. This is

because they do not make the existing laws invalid, but they do make it harder to be enforced

since it would be left up for the national government to reinforce. With the defunding of police

in some places and limited resources and funding, there is a big chance that the government will

do nothing to enforce them.

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Although there are many different opinions regarding gun control laws, it is important that

our societies work together to overcome the real problems we face. People experiencing mental

health issues is a huge problem world- wide. Instead of blaming guns as the problem in cases

involving individuals with mental health issues, the blame should be put on the lack of resources

for these individuals have. “The most important single thing we can advance is solidarity, the

idea of a society that cares for itself and its members. Our goal must not just be the repeal of a

bad law, but that far fewer Americans feel they are alone, beset with threats, in a hostile land.”

(Burris, 2021).

Texas’s House Bill 2622 will positively contribute to our society and the people by

protecting the second amendment’s right to bear arms, in turn giving the feeling of safety to be

able to use firearms as an instrument for self-defense in acts of crime and violence that pose

danger to the victims. In justifying the private ownership of firearms, a moral question arises

regarding whether citizens have a moral right to bear firearms. The constitution does not grant

individual to have unlicensed guns thus is an honest question that need to be addressed. Owning a

gun for the wrong purpose is not a fundamental interest since weapons are intrinsically dangerous

when they are in the wrong hands. This gives the reason we cannot dismiss all forms used for gun

control. The legal issues concerning the issue are whether the government should ban private gun

ownership or not (Kleck et al.,2016). Although control of guns ownership and distribution in the

United States has remained a mirage, many citizens are optimistic that there exists a permanent

solution to the problem. Many pieces of research indicate that the issue regarding gun violence

can be well understood by getting to the root cause of this problem that continues to threaten the

world’s security.

It is important to note that different players have a crucial responsibility of ensuring that

the issue of gun control in the country is controlled. First of all, the government has the primary

responsibility of dealing with any criminal activities, and they must protect citizens against any

illegal possession of firearms. The government should limit those individuals who are supposed to
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own guns. The background checks and authorities responsible for ensuring the procedure of

possessing a weapon is followed should be in the limelight of providing control over the

ownership of arms (Kleck et al.,2016). It is significant for individuals to undergo psychiatric tests

before they acquire weapons to establish whether they are of sound mind and are in a state of

mental stability. Additionally, parents should get involved to ensure there is the existence of

peace in their families. Good interpersonal relationships are essential for the society, as this will

foster peace and lower the cases of any form of violence.

Equally, religious teachings need to be embraced at all times to ensure people are taught

about the benefits of a peaceful society. A serious ban on firearms should be introduced, as this

will reduce the number of individuals who are legally allowed to own and carry guns. Even

though there have been many efforts incorporated to fight against gun violence, the issue remains

rampant in the country. I believe that having strong and effective gun control measures in the

country is beneficial to many citizens who are law abiding. Considering the effects, which have

been witnessed as a result of illegal possession of firearms by some people, I believe it is

unethical to demand gun control since the issue of gun control itself is immoral.

In summary, gun control in the Texas is essential in the United States due to various

security reasons. Gun laws are noted to important when are enacted and followed to the latter.

Increased possession of firearms by citizens has led to the increased number of violent crimes and

other severe effects to the society; thus, there is the need for gun control measures to be adopted

to ensure on licensed individuals are in possession of a gun. Many opponents of gun control claim

that gun control is against the second amendments, which gives them the right to own guns for

their self-defense. Proponents of gun control argue that firearms should be controlled, as they

believe that weapons will control issues such as mass shootings and killings as well as gun-

related deaths. Guns have been noted to the cause of increased deaths of many innocent people;

thus, their control should be based on the fact that people abuse their right to carry or possess a

gun.
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References

Burris, S. (2021). Civilian Use of Deadly Force in Self-Defense: Public Health, Stand Your

Ground. American Journal of Public Health, 111(4), 559–561.

https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306173

Kleck, G., Kovandzic, T., & Bellows, J. (2016). Does gun control reduce violent crime?. Criminal

justice review, 41(4), 488-513.

Williams, M. F. (2021). Gun Control and Gun Rights: A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing

Public Policy Issues in Technical and Professional Communication. Technical

Communication Quarterly, 1-11.

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