Guns Regulation
Running head: GUNS REGULATION AND POLICY 1
GUNS REGULATION AND POLICY 3
Guns Regulation and Policy
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Guns Regulation and Policy
The issue of gun control is among public concerns that elicit intense debate. Firearms are generally classified into three categories, namely riffles, short guns, and hand guns (Karp, 2010). Often, licensed civilians as well as the military and security agencies are the only parties that are allowed to posses guns. However, there has been a rising level in crime provoked by civilians suicidal shootings and other related felonies. In the US, a recent survey showed that over 300 million people possess these deadly arsenals (Lott, 2010). A consistent rise in aggravated offense levels, kidnapping, robbery, sexual harassment, rape, and murder, have greatly contributed to the increase in the number of people preferring gun ownership for defense just in case a calamity strikes. The acquisition of arms by the civilians and the military has been conversely associated with all the wrong undertakings as a result of the vulnerability that follows exposure to criminal elements (Karp, 2010). Therefore, the current paper discusses the efforts that have been made in reigning on gun control and the economic dimension associated with such measures.
A number of policies have been adopted in a bid to control the use of guns in a move aimed at containing the ever-rising cases of misconduct in line with the objective of ensuring civilians safety. For instance, Britain has previously passed laws that direct custody or purchase of arms. In addition, the same jurisdiction requires that whenever an interested individual acquires such weapons, he/she must be issued with a certificate specifying the type of weapon and the number of ammunitions being bought (Karp A, 2010). At some point, the British government passed legislation requiring all gun owners to surrender privately possessed armaments to the police (Karp, 2010). The exercise succeeded since more than 160,000 guns were returned to the authorities. Despite the development, more deaths associated with guns were reported. Such aspect supported the need for tougher laws. In Chicago, a ban was introduced prohibiting gun handling, only for the law to be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (Lott, 2010).
Other policies have been imposed towards regulating gun ownership. Legislations punishing firearm smugglers have been created to pave the way for the prosecution of suspects and imprisoning the convicts. Alternatively, heavy fines are doled to offenders (Lott, 2010). In addition, businesses dealing with gun sales are being abolished. Instead, the licensing is only carried out by government agencies. Again, citizens are primarily subjected to rigorous standards to ensure that only responsible civilians are permitted to acquire and carry guns.
All negative aspects associated with gun regulation degrade a countrys performance. The menace of black market trade is on the rise due to the imposition of bans restraining gun possession (Branas et al, 2009). Many resources are wasted given that extra officers are to be employed to safeguard the practice. Due to this problem, supply is projected to exceed the demand, thus, hindering possible investments in gun manufacturing entities. It results in a massive wastage brought about by excessive production. Loss of revenues by party states is also an outcome linked to gun control since fewer taxes are paid from the business.
In conclusion, guns control presents a platform for the expansion and development in the US. Therefore, governments of affected areas are coming up with measures in trying to end the menace related to firearm ownership and transfer. The astonishing statistics is evident since more deaths are connected to privately owned weapons. Thus, the provision aims at preventing such deaths by formalizing policies and acts that govern the possession of arms. In 2005, a higher percentage (96%) of murder victims in Chicago was linked to misuse of guns (Winkler, 2013). Hence, limiting the use of guns appears to be a reasonable approach towards mitigating the possible damage their unregulated use poses.
References
Branas, C. C. et al. (2009). Investigating the link between gun possession and gun
assault. American Journal of Public Health, 99 (11), 20342040.
Karp, A. (2010). Elusive arsenals: Gang and group firearms. London:
Cambridge University Press.
Lott, J. R. (2010). More guns, less crime: Understanding crime and gun control laws.
Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Winkler, A. (2013). Gunfight: The battle over the right to bear arms in America. New York:
Norton Publishers.
