Firearms and Freedom: The Battle Over Gun Rights
Regulation of guns is a contentious issue in the United States largely divided by party lines and location. A rise in mass shootings in recent decades has put this debate even more at the forefront of American politics as politicians argue over the root causes of the increase.
Proponents of Gun Control Measures
Many supporters of increased gun control cite the increase in American mass shootings as the main driver of their concern. “Mass shootings” defined as an event in which four or more individuals are murdered by a firearm have increased from a rate of 1 per year in 1970 to a rate of ~19 per year in 2020. Supporters of gun control also cite the high prevalence of guns in murders overall: 81% of all US homicides in 2021 involved a firearm.
Common, more accepted gun control proposals include implementing mandatory criminal background checks (87% support), “red flag laws” (80% support), mandatory waiting periods (77% support), and mental health screenings (80% support). A less popular proposal gaining prominence in recent years is an “assault weapons” ban, specifically meant to target guns commonly used in mass shootings such as AR-15s. This concept’s acceptance has varied, receiving between 46% and 61% of polled support.
Links To Get Involved With Organizations Advocating For Gun Control:
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Proponents of Second Amendment Rights
Opponents of gun control measures commonly base their position on the Second Amendment’s “right to bear arms.” They argue that owning firearms, as stated in the 2010 Supreme Court ruling McDonald v. Chicago, is essential to guaranteeing Americans’ right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 2A advocates commonly point to mental health shortcomings and the publicization of mass shootings as the main causes of the national rise in gun violence and argue that arming responsible citizens is the best way to deter future gun violence. To support the latter claim, they draw on a famous statistic showing that 96% of “active shooter” situations since 1998 have occurred in gun-free zones. To back up claims of failed mental health infrastructure, 2A advocates point to relatively flat homicide numbers prior to the Covid-19 pandemic contrasted with suicide figures having increased by roughly 150% since 1968.
72% of Americans support the individual right to “keep and bear arms'' in the Second Amendment, but this vast support is mainly limited to the concept of owning handguns. Positive sentiment for Second Amendment rights is generally stronger in rural areas compared to cities.
Links To Get Involved With Organizations Advocating For Gun Rights:
Democrats are more likely than Republicans to support gun control measures.
