Katie Hunter |
On 1st October 2015, tragedy struck again in America with another mass shooting. These types of shootings have increased significantly in the last 10 years with most of these occurring at places of education or business.
Understandably, this brings the question of gun laws back into the political arena with President Barack Obama calling for these laws to become stricter. He has called for common sense gun safety laws and has vowed to continue fighting to achieve this outcome.
Currently any law abiding citizen of the United States is allowed to own or carry a gun. This right comes from the second amendment to the United States constitution, the country’s supreme law, which was written in 1791. Anyone over the age of 18 is allowed to buy a rifle or shot gun from a licensed dealer in any state, with over 21’s being able to buy handguns too. There are, however, certain individuals banned from owning weapons, including convicted criminals, people with mental health illnesses and non-US citizens.
The vast majority of gun owners have a gun for personal protection. Some others own a gun for hunting, target shooting and for collecting as a hobby.
So why can’t someone as powerful as the President of America just change his own country’s gun laws? President Obama can’t pass anti-gun laws himself as he would need the support of Congress, which he doesn’t have as the opposition party (The Republicans) hold the majority of seats in both houses (US Senate and Congress). The Republicans largely support owning guns as do some members of the President’s own party. President Obama has to gain more support to be able to reach his ultimate goal.
The UK has some of the toughest gun laws in the world. The ownership of most handguns was made illegal after the 1996 Dunblane shooting when Thomas Hamilton killed 16 schoolchildren and a teacher. This means only police officers, members of the armed forces or individuals with written permission from the Home Secretary may lawfully own a handgun. In the United States, you can declare it is your constitutional right to bear arms whereas in the UK there is hours worth of paperwork required to prove to police officers that you are not a danger to society.
Personally, I am glad that here in the UK we have tough gun control laws when you see the tragic consequences where this is not the case. I think this country is a much safer place with strict regulations as to who can own a gun and gives me a sense of security knowing that these incidents are less likely to happen. Lets hope President Obama fulfils his wish and we see an end to this needless killing.
