Gun Control Laws In The United States

Between 2000 and 2015, over 150,000 Americans were killed in gun related homicides (Zakaria). It has been estimated that there are over 310 million guns in the hands of United States citizens (Krouse). These statistics have rallied many gun-control opponents and proponents to action. Gun control opponents believe that the answer to this problem is to loosen gun control laws to dissuade potential shooters. Gun control proponents believe that the answer is to tighten gun control laws so that a gun is never put into a potential shooter’s hands. The best way to find an answer to this predicament is to compare the United States’ current gun control legislation to that of other countries to see where and how the countries have succeeded and failed in their legislation. One will find that a common middle ground must be reached where guns should be restricted, but not banned outright. Many different countries put restrictions on the sale and possession of firearms …show more content…
Both of these countries ban outright the possession of handguns for all of their citizens (Donohue). As a result, both of these countries experience far lower gun-homicide rates than the United States. In 2008, Japan experienced only eleven gun-related homicides, while the United States experienced 587 accidental gun deaths (Fisher). In the United Kingdom between 2010 and 2011, there were only 52 gun-related homicides, a statistic that takes into account 12 deaths from a mass shooting (Feikert-Ahalt). It figures that the two countries with the most stringent gun control laws also have some of the lowest rates of gun-related homicide. The answer to the United States’ gun problem is seemingly simple based on these statistics: ban guns entirely. However, it is important to delve a little deeper into both countries’ respective gun legislations to get a clearer