Introduction
“ A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Arguably one of the most famous and cherished of American rights, the Second Amendment is one of the most powerful shields used by pro-gun groups as they combat wave after wave of gun control activists. However, the recent spate of fatal mass shootings has managed to get a growing number of Americans talking about the need for reforms.
Proponents of gun control have looked to jurisdictions like the United Kingdom and Australia where epic events of mass shootings have been almost wholly eliminated through implementation of strict gun control measures. However, these countries do not have laws that provide a constitutional right to bear arms like we have in the Second Amendment, hence it is has become a very difficult endeavor to institute something akin to total bans. The next hurdle to overcome is the influence of powerful pro-gun lobbyists like the National Rifle Association. These groups fight fiercely to maintain their right to possess guns with a passion. Another challenge to overcome is the sheer number of guns that surveys reveal to be available in American streets, an estimated of 300 million guns are reported to be in hands of civilians ( Webster & Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, 2012).
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However, the call for stricter gun regulations is justified when you consider the statistics. According to a small arms survey conducted in 2011, it is estimated that there were around 88 guns for every 100 people. Another report carried recently showed that over 100,000 people who are shot every year. Trends have also shown that the fight for change always rears up after a tragedy and usually loses impetus some time after that. However, polls this time indicate public support for change is the highest the country has seen in twenty years, increasing the likelihood of actual changes ( Webster & Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research, 2012).
References
Webster, D. W., & Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. (2012). The case for gun policy reforms in America . Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research.
