How likely is it that gun regulations will prevent mass shootings?
Mass shootings, especially in school settings, have increased calls for gun control to prevent this violence. A single mass shooting results in an almost 15% rise in the number of gun regulation bills within one year after the shooting (Luca et al., 2019). Events such as the 1999 Columbine High School shooting increased calls for additional restrictions on firearms. Gun regulations are likely to avert mass shootings by stopping individuals, especially minors, from buying firearms from other people. The prohibition on straw purchases bars one from buying a firearm from someone else (Mukherjee, 2020) . For instance, this regulation would have prevented the Columbine shootings by making it difficult for the two boys to acquire a gun.
Gun regulations are also likely to stop mass shootings by preventing unauthorized access to firearms. Such regulations seek to encourage authorized gun holders to store their guns properly, preferably in locked boxes. Other regulations forbid gun dealers from selling high-powered rifles (Mukherjee, 2020) . Such rules would have prevented most of the shootings that took place after the Columbine incident.
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The regulations are likely to stop these shootings by requiring mandatory background vetting of potential purchases. The implementation of sensible gun laws is also likely to minimize access to dangerous weapons, reducing the probability of mass shootings.
Is the government morally obligated to find out what policies can and cannot prevent these shootings?
The government is morally obligated to find out policies that can and cannot prevent such shootings because guns occupy a key and dangerous place in Americans' lives. Moreover, since the country reports over 300 shootings daily, the government should consider finding out these policies to reduce the violence (German & Katandjian, 2015) . The shootings also make most Americans live in perpetual fear, not knowing when the next attack will occur. Furthermore, Americans, like other humans, have a moral right not to be murdered.
Government agencies should research policies that are highly likely to prevent mass shootings. They should also evaluate the effectiveness of the current policies to ascertain whether they can avert this form of violence. They should use ethical reflection to identify policies that are inadequate in addressing mass shootings and change them. While some policies seem to prevent mass shootings, others are permissive, contributing to increased violence. For instance, policies that allow easy access of firearms to individuals with psychiatric and criminal history without a proper background check and allow private citizens to own high-capacity ammunition and assault weapons promote mass shootings.
How far should gun control efforts go?
Gun control efforts should be strengthened to reduce the influence of mass shootings on potential murderers. History always seems to remember the names of murderers while forgetting the victims’ names. Some previous shootings inspire present and future shootings (German & Katandjian, 2015) . More robust gun control measures will limit the influence of these previous shootings on potential murderers and reduce rates of firearm homicides.
Gun control efforts should be strengthened by eliminating loopholes that weaken the relevant laws. For instance, the government should consider strengthening laws regarding background checks by prohibiting the sale of guns on online platforms or at gun shows. Most murderers with criminal records use these platforms to avoid background checks.
Policymakers should also create more demanding requirements for accessing firearms. They can borrow ideas from the motor vehicle industry, which has witnessed a significant drop in car fatalities after adopting stronger measures such as few teenage drivers and stricter safety-belt rules. They should also consider rules that restrict multiple purchases, gun seizures, and gun-violence limiting guidelines. Such strengthened policies will reduce mass shootings, gun violence, save multiple lives, and increase gun safety awareness.
References
Luca, M., Malhotra, D., & Poliquin, C. (2019). The Impact of Mass Shootings on Gun Policy. Harvard Business School.
German, E., Katandjian, O. (Producers), & Buck , C. (Director). (2015). Haunted by Columbine [Motion Picture].
Mukherjee, R. (2020, February 26). How many mass shootings might have been prevented by stronger gun laws? Los Angeles Times .
