Increased gun control is needed to reduce incidents of gun violence in the U.S.
Contention 1: States with stricter gun control laws have fewer deaths from gun-related violence compared to states with more lax laws
Gun-related violence can be associated with the the restrictions put in place by certain states. According to a study put together by the Harvard School of Public Health, states in which guns are more prevalent--as in Wyoming, where 63% of households reported owning guns--rates of suicide were higher. The inverse was also true: where gun ownership was less common, suicide rates were also lower. This statement was supported by a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health Professor of Health Policy David Hemenway. Hemenway quotes in this study that “studies show that most (suicide) attempters act on impulse, in moments of panic or despair. Once the …show more content…
Hemenway are saying is that in these certain states with less restrictive gun control laws, suicide is more common because these attempters are acting on impulse and the weapon is readily available.
One counter-argument that might be made toward this topic of discussion could potentially be the occurrence of gun-related violence within big cities that have strict gun-control laws. However, this statement can be seen as false. Although, these certain states such as Illinois for example have strict gun control laws there are loopholes within the gun control laws. According to a background summary of Illinois’ state laws, these loopholes consist of Illinois not prohibiting the transfer of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines. Illinois also doesn’t license or
Contention 1: States with stricter gun control laws have fewer deaths from gun-related violence compared to states with more lax laws
Gun-related violence can be associated with the the restrictions put in place by certain states. According to a study put together by the Harvard School of Public Health, states in which guns are more prevalent--as in Wyoming, where 63% of households reported owning guns--rates of suicide were higher. The inverse was also true: where gun ownership was less common, suicide rates were also lower. This statement was supported by a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health Professor of Health Policy David Hemenway. Hemenway quotes in this study that “studies show that most (suicide) attempters act on impulse, in moments of panic or despair. Once the …show more content…
Hemenway are saying is that in these certain states with less restrictive gun control laws, suicide is more common because these attempters are acting on impulse and the weapon is readily available.
One counter-argument that might be made toward this topic of discussion could potentially be the occurrence of gun-related violence within big cities that have strict gun-control laws. However, this statement can be seen as false. Although, these certain states such as Illinois for example have strict gun control laws there are loopholes within the gun control laws. According to a background summary of Illinois’ state laws, these loopholes consist of Illinois not prohibiting the transfer of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines. Illinois also doesn’t license or