Firearms and Ammunition: Culturally, Economically, and Politically

Introduction

The debate on gun control has become a common topic of discussion not only in Congress but also in households in America. On the one hand, proponents of gun control argue that gun control is important owing to the numerous cases of gun-related violence, which has been on the rise. On the other hand, those opposing the idea of gun control, such as firearm and ammunition restriction, argue that guns keep people safe and as a result, there should be less restriction regarding their possession. The possession of firearms and ammunition has had negative implications on American society including a rise in gun-related violence such as homicide, as well as incidences of suicide, thus the need for advocacy in support of gun control. The aim of this argumentative essay, therefore, is to argue in favor of gun control by discussing the negative implications of gun possession from cultural or economic perspectives. 

Among the reason why firearm and ammunition, as a method of gun control is important, is that it has contributed to the deaths of many Americans. According to various studies, many people have died owing to the rise in gun-related violence. More people in the United States have died as a result of gun-related violence since 1968, indicating a deeply-rooted culture of gun violence (Bauchner, Rivara, Bonow, Bressler, Disis, Heckers, & Rhee, 2017). As opposed to the notion that guns offer protection, more people have lost their loved ones to gun violence, thus the need to call for gun control. In 2015, 60.7% of the gun deaths resulted from suicide, which is attributed to the accessibility of guns, which has been made possible in the absence of adequate gun control laws (Bauchner et al., 2017). In the event of attempted suicide, guns are more likely to result in 90% success when compared to the ingestion of pills. Therefore, when gun control fails, guns become more accessible increasing the likelihood of gun-related deaths. The gun-related deaths have over the years increased in the United States rendering the urgency of addressing gun violence through gun control. 

In another study, the negative implications of gun possession reinforce and promote the argument in support of gun control as it is important. Gun violence is attributed to the fact that people can easily access guns, which is an indication that there is a need for gun control (Cukier & Eagen, 2018). As a result of the easy accessibility of guns, gun-related violence has become lethal in the U.S resulting in detrimental implications such as homicides. Due to inadequate gun control laws as well as the ineffective implementation of the same, stockpiling of guns has been made possible. Stockpiling of guns is especially common among the perpetrators of a mass shooting (Cukier & Eagen, 2018). 

Mass shooting is something that most Americans are well familiar with owing to many such like incidences including one on Thousand Oaks bar, California. The increase in suicide and homicide cases has also been attributed to the easy access to guns, which renders its import to advocate for gun control (Cukier & Eagen, 2018). The presence of gun control laws, as well as the effective implementation of the same, will ensure controlled to minimal access o firearms and ammunition, thus preventing incidences such as homicide and suicide. In addition to that people should also advocate against the action of the media’s association of masculinity with guns. This is because it promotes the need to possess guns, which increases the chances of incidences such as homicide and suicide. 

Gun control is also a common problem in other countries, which is an indication that the United States is not fighting the war against gun violence alone. According to study findings, other countries such as Canada also show indication of a gun problem in the country. In a study, over 100 deaths occurred in Canada raising major concerns as the deaths were the result of gun violence. The possession of guns in Canada has contributed not only to the mass shooting experienced in the country but also to suicides. Research has indicated that despite the existence of strict gun laws in Canada, shootings, as well as gun-related suicides are still an issue in the country. The strict gun laws in Canada have not prevented increased gun possession, as well as the firearm smuggling into the country, which continues to contribute to gun-related violence. Owing to the establishment that the need for gun control not only exists in the United States, but people should also be motivated to advocate for gun control to rid more countries of the negative implications associated with gun possession. This is because when countries are experiencing such issues, they are unable to perform well in other sectors such as the economy owing to deaths of active people who die as a result of gun violence. 

Another reason for supporting gun control with regards to the anti-firearm and ammunition angle is because it is possible as it is being done in other states such as California. In California, laws on the restriction of ammunition show indication of support for gun control in the form of advocating for the anti-firearm idea. There are numerous dangers associated with easy access to ammunition such as gun-related violence. There are new and improved ways of ensuring gun control such as that of ammunition tracking, which is believed valuable as both a restriction and technology (Urbina, 2018). This is because being able to track ammunition, law enforcement can be able to establish whether gun owners abide by the set laws. Records show high sales of ammunition, while there are increasing incidences of gun-related violence, showing the gravity of the matter and hence rendering the need for effective gun control (Urbina, 2018). 

Those who argue in favor of the possession of guns have presented their arguments in an effort to demonstrate their anti-gun control stance. Certain individuals have been in the firearms business for generations, which is an indication that the selling of firearms is an income generating activity for certain Americans. This brings the element of the economic benefit of gun possession, which would explain why certain people are opposed to gun control in the form of restricting firearms and ammunition. For instance, in Grinnell, Iowa, there is a fourth-generation firearms store that has been selling firearms and ammunition for generations. The owners of the shop, the Brownells commented relaying their belief that “guns are a national heritage” (Shine, 2018). Various people are of the opinion that gun control would only interfere with what some may deem a culture that has been there for generations, thus refuting the idea of gun restriction through gun control laws. 

Conclusion 

Gun control in the form of firearm and ammunition restrictions has indeed been debated for decades. Those supporting the idea present cases such as gun-related suicides, homicide, as well as mass shooting as some of the justifications calling for such action. Factors that contribute o gun violence such as easy accessibility of firearms and ammunition, as well as illegal smuggling need to be addressed through gun control laws to mitigate the adverse implications of gun possession. Certain people argue that the firearm and ammunition business contributes to the economy and livelihood of certain Americans, thus refuting the idea of restricting the same through gun control. However, gun possession appears to have more negative implications than positive ones, thus the stance that gun control should be practiced through firearm and ammunition restriction. Gun possession is increasingly becoming dangerous not only to gun owner but also to those around them, thus the need to advocate for gun control. 

References

Bauchner, H., Rivara, F. P., Bonow, R. O., Bressler, N. M., Disis, M. L. N., Heckers, S., ... & Rhee, J. S. (2017). Death by gun violence—A public health crisis.  Jama ,  318 (18), 1763-1764. 

Cukier, W., & Eagen, S. A. (2018). Gun violence.  Current opinion in psychology ,  19 , 109-112. 

Levinson King, R. (2018, July 27 ). After Toronto Rampage, Does Canada Have a Gun problem. BBC News . Retrieved February 8, 2019, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44959010

Shine, J. (2018, August 8). How Civil Must America Be? The New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/style/the-civility-paradox.html

Urbina, I. (2018, September 9). California Tries New Tack on Gun Violence: Ammunition Control. The New York Times . Retrieved February 8, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/09/us/california-gun-control-ammunition-bullets.html