What is a Viable Possible Solution to Mass Shooting

Explain Why a Total Ban on Private Firearm Ownership Is Not a Viable Solution & Propose a Solution That Is a Good Place to Start.

The increased rate of mass shooting has intensified debates concerning gun control, with supporters of firearm safety suggesting regulation or a total ban on guns to reduce firearm-related crimes. However, banning the ownership of private firearms in the United States may be considered as an unconstitutional act. The rights of U.S citizens to own firearms are protected by the law under the second clause of the second amendment on gun laws. For example, in the 2008 case of District of Columbia v. Heller, the court declared that the second amendment gave U.S citizens the right to possess guns. Following this law, the court, therefore, termed the then handgun ban in the District of Columbia, as a violation of a citizen's right. The second amendment was further strengthened through the decision made in 2010 during McDonald v City of Chicago case. The plaintiff challenged the ban of handgun possession by private citizens, and the court ruled in his favor, citing that the fourteenth amendment incorporates a person's right to own a handgun for self- defense. Incorporation doctrine, through the Privileges and Immunities Clause, justifies the application of the second amendment in the final judgment made on McDonald v City of Chicago case.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Therefore, restricting ownership of guns by individuals would be infringing their constitutional rights as stated in the second amendment. Besides, banning guns does not necessarily prevent criminals from accessing them since they can purchase them illegally. Instead, it limits the ability of law-abiding citizens from protecting themselves. Crime reduction can only be achieved through other interventions such as standardization and enforcement of gun ownership laws. Private sellers can also conduct a background check on the purchaser before selling a firearm

Explain the Mass Shooting Phenomenon in the USA.

Mass shooting in America has become a trend and a threat to all citizens. Although the shootings have always been taking place, the rate has significantly increased in the modern society, with schools, shopping centers, and social areas being the main target. The gunmen mostly use AR-15-style weapons to conduct shootings with the most recent one being in Las Vegas, church shooting in Texas, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and Umpqua Community College in Roseburg and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut

Explain the Current Trend for the Call to Ban the AR-15 Rifle.

The use of AR-15 has become a standard trend among gun owners, and it has been extensively used in most of the country's worse mass shooting, including the Las Vegas concert, Orlando nightclub and the Texas church. It is considered as the civilian version of a military weapon designed to kill large numbers of people quickly. The gun industry, argue that the AR-15 is more of a sporting rifle than a dangerous one. It is, however, more of an assault weapon because it fires ammunition purposely designed to kill military combats and can fire more than 50 rounds in less than thirty seconds. In the past six years, most of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S are linked to the AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle. Its high muzzle velocity and ease of fire, lightweight, and ease of accessibility make it a better weapon for criminals to use. An earlier ban of AR-15 saw a significant decrease in the percentage of gun massacres. However, since its expiration in 2004, the numbers increased.

Recent mass shootings, such as Florida school killings and Las Vegas shooting, indicate extensive use of the AR-15 weapons. Therefore, it is necessary to ban the sale of these weapons to the public. Removing high-capacity, lethal weaponry and high-velocity magazines from the market would lead to a drastic reduction in mass shooting.

Define the term "Assault Weapon" as used in Federal & California State Law Determine Whether or Not Assault Weapons are Inherently More Dangerous than Non-Assault Weapons.

California State prohibits ownership of assault weapon unless if the owner possessed it before it was defined as an assault weapon. The state also prohibits the manufacture, distribution, transportation, importation, lending or sale of the weapons. California State has, therefore, es6tablished new criteria for defining assault weapons according to its general characteristics. It is a semiautomatic center fire rifle, pistol, or shotgun that can accept a detachable magazine which can accept more than ten rounds; or a semiautomatic pistol that has a shroud attached to the barrel allowing the holder to fire it without burning their hand. Ownership of Assault weapons among civilians is mainly restricted because the guns are fully automatic hence more dangerous.

Propose a Solution and Explain Your Logic.

The first step would be moving beyond the conventional ideas proposed after every mass shooting; which include enforcement of gun laws and control. Banning the AR-15 weapons might assist in saving few lives, but the difference would not be as practical. The main problem is not the easy accessibility of firearms by civilians, but the fact that dangerous people have means to get these guns even if the ban becomes effective. The gun laws cannot eliminate risks of mass shooting completely, hence the need for better policies. Gun sellers should conduct a background check and restrict the sale of guns to individuals who are guilty of violent crimes. A universal inspection should also be undertaken and a gun license presented before selling the weapon. Schools, on the other hand, should invest more on law enforcement officers to help curb shooting in learning institutions.