American Legal System 1

American Legal System

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American Legal System 2

Gun Control Legislation

Various controversial issues face the legal profession and the legal system in

America. One contentious issue is the gun control bill, which was approved recently. Gun

control is a legislature in the United States whose aim is to remedy gun violence (Tomar,

2023). The legislation includes a thorough background check be done on individuals

purchasing guns under the age of 21 years, the establishment of a federal statute restricting

gun trafficking and enactment and support of red-flags laws and other federal grant programs

(Reimann, 2022).

This is an essential topic of discussion because of the debates that have arisen upon its

approval. It is currently one of the hottest debates in the country among American citizens

and their political representatives. The discussions are on the legislation's implication on The

Second Amendment of the Constitution, which allows American citizens to own firearms.

One group support that there should be a restriction on firms manufacturing guns, their sales

and most importantly, their ownership (Tomar, 2023). While the other group argues that the

imposition of gun control is unconstitutional and does not support it, imposing strict rules on

gun ownership would lower gun violence occurrences.

These debates come from the rapid increase of the gun violence crisis in the United

States over the years. Deaths due to gun violence have been rampant since the assassination

of John. Kennedy in 1963 (Tomar, 2023). The record was even higher in 2020, with 24,090

deaths due to suicide and 19,379 deaths due to violence. According to research, it is estimated

that 12 deaths out of 100,000 were related to firearms in 2017, which was reported to be even

higher in the early and mid-1990s (Tomar, 2023). 79% of the homicides in 2020 were gun

related. Mass shooting over the past four years has accumulated an average of 513, and in

2022 alone, 647 mass shootings were reported (NIHCM, 2023). Also, gun violence on school

grounds has risen since 2013, with Texas reporting the highest number. Generally, thousands
American Legal System 3

of lives have been lost every year due to guns in the form of suicides, domestic violence,

police shootings, urban crime, and mass shootings, among others.

Gun control issues have greatly affected the public regarding their beliefs because it

has created a divide on whether to support the legislation. Americans’ views are moderate,

balancing the need to have more sensible laws concerning guns and beliefs about

constitutional rights to carry firearms. Both groups have strong opinions communicated since

those who advocate for gun rights see ownership of weapons as the foundation of American

civil liberty. While those Americans who support the bill are so because they have once been

victims of gun violence or, worse, lost their loved ones (Tomar, 2023).

Despite the debates on the issue, gun control severely impacts the public, not only the

American people but also the rest of the world. Some positive impacts include reducing gun-

related deaths and crime and creating a safer environment for every citizen. Also, gun control

aids in the diminishment of illegal trafficking because its effective implementation will

discourage such inhumane activities. Rates of suicide due to guns may reduce, and criminal

organizations procuring firearms for their illicit activities may be eliminated ( Positive

Negative Effects, 2017). Lastly, strict gun laws will ensure order in the general public and

protect vulnerable citizens.

On the other hand, gun control may pose some adverse effects, such as deteriorating

the gun market and causing insecurities, especially in high crime rate areas. Lastly, gun

control is an essential issue with many controversies that should be considered by keeping in

mind the advantages and disadvantages of the legislation for the public.
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References

Tomar, D. (2023, January 24). Controversial topic: Gun control. Academic Influence.

https://academicinfluence.com/inflection/controversial-topics/controversial-topic-gun-

control

Positive Negative Effects. (2017, November 18). Positive and negative effects of gun control

- essay and speech. Positive Negative Effects.

https://www.positivenegativeeffects.com/gun-control

NIHCM. (2023, January 25). Gun violence: The impact on public health. NIHCM

https://nihcm.org/publications/updated-gun-violence-the-impact-on-public-health

Reimann, N. (2022, June 27). Congress approves gun control bill-biden to sign into law.

Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/06/24/congress-approves-

gun-control-bill-biden-to-sign-into-law/?sh=450e628748b8