Gun violence refers to acts of crime committed using guns, and in most countries, gun violence is a crime. However, in some countries, depending on the nature of use, gun violence may not be illegal. With rising reports of gun violence, both state and federal governments have come up with policies that are geared to having a lasting solution to this menace. “Gun-Policy” estimates that over 75% of all guns in the world are civilian controlled. Globally, millions of people suffer injuries due to gun violence, with more than 200,000 deaths due to gun violence. The US ranks 11th on this chart globally, and comparing to other developed nations; the US ranks at the top. The history of gun violence in the US dates back to 1901 when William McKinley was assassinated. In 1966, the deadliest shooting occurred at the University of Texas. In this case, a sniper stationed on a tower killed 16 and injured 31 people within 96 minutes. Many other mass shootings events have been reported ever since (Lytton, 2019). In 2017, 58 people were killed in a gun firing activity in Nevada, whereby 546 more people were injured. Mass shooting, especially in schools, has been on the rise, and correlation of these shootings with earlier events can be used to reduce this vice. This paper explains how an understanding of the history of issues related to gun violence can be used to reduce the vice.
In the article, “Firearm-Makers May Finally Decide It’s In Their Interest to Help Reduce Gun Violence After Sandy Hook Ruling,” The Conversation reports that firearm makers are now helping in gun control by following directives by the federal government (Lytton, 2019). Historically, gun violence occurs using unregistered guns, whereby unlicensed individuals illegally acquire guns from dealers and use them to make mass shootings. The use of this history is crucial in understanding how mass shooter acquires their guns. Knowing the methods used by mass shooters to acquire the guns is critical in gun control and eventual reduction of mass shootings. In this article, a 2006 Act gave gun manufacturers immunity from lawsuits relating to gun violence. However, in the preceding years, more mass shootings occurred that could only be solved through the cooperation of gun manufacturers (Lytton, 2019). With these increasing trends, the solution to this problem can only be derived from historical events involving gun violence.
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The causes of mass shootings are almost the same, and they revolve around revenge and depression. Looking at the issue of mass shootings as originating from revenge, both the police and the arms dealers can cooperate to reduce gun violence (Lytton, 2019). For instance, records of punishments in schools could be kept and presented to police who forward them to gun dealers. Students wishing to acquire guns must pass a specific criterion that ensures they are not in dispute with anyone (Lytton, 2019). Additionally, the guns used in violence should be used to sue companies violating government orders of not selling to a particular group of citizens.
Application of analytical skills is vital in this area, whereby analysis of causes of mass shootings and types of guns used can be used to predict future occurrences. Problem-solving skills by historians are applicable in this area through the role of historians in providing the public with solutions taken in the past to solve issues (Lytton, 2019). For instance, future generations wishing to solve the problem of mass shootings will look back and reflect on the measures taken by current governments to solve this issue. Critical thinking is an essential aspect in history, and strengths in critical thinking exist when you have a firm grasp of the history of an event. In this same manner, growth in critical thinking requires one to have more knowledge on historical issues.
In conclusion, the history of events is an important aspect when attempting to come up with a solution. In gun control, studying and analyzing past events involving gun violence can be used to predict both the trends and solutions to gun violence. Historians must practice all skills learned in bringing solutions to problems in society. Critical thinking is the most crucial skill for a historian wishing to make analytical studies to issues. Gun violence can be solved by critically analyzing all past occurrences.
References
Lytton, T. D. (2019). Firearm-Makers May Finally Decide It's In Their Interest to Help Reduce Gun Violence After Sandy Hook Ruling .
