Stronger Gun Control Laws Will Save Lives: Article Analysis
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Guns have become an integral part of the United States’ society. The second amendment of the United States Constitution is “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.” Initially, this rule was intended to allow citizens to protect themselves in a time where there was no large military branch. However, the tradition for citizens to carry firearms has been passed down since then. Regarding regulation of guns, states have placed their own provisions, with few national exceptions. The National Firearms Act of 1934 provided the first regulations of guns, listed as shotguns and rifles, by requiring those who make or transport firearms to pay a tax. After the assassinations of various political figures, the Gun Control Act of 1968 further restricted what guns were available to the public, as well as preventing those deemed unfit from purchasing firearms. Additionally, the Gun-Free School Zones Act prohibits guns in school and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act requires background checks on those looking to purchase a firearm.…show more content… Despite claims that more guns keep people safe, Watkins poses logical reasons as to the actual harm firearms cause. Comparatively, the United States’ gun violence rates are much higher than “other industrialized nations, where gun ownership is strictly regulated.” (Watkins) According to Watkin’s article, each year, over 30,000 deaths and 70,000 injuries in the United States are attributed to firearms. The author believes that the solution to the growing gun problem is to provide greater regulations, and in particular, to remove the many loopholes present in the current