The US Congress voted against background checks for gun
owners yesterday, despite President Obama publicly stating his views for such
checks. The debate comes after a number of shootings in the US, particularly
the school shooting in Connecticut that left primary school children dead. As
Congress currently has a Republican majority, it is no surprise really that the
result is against the motion.
Despite the decision, it appears the majority of US citizens
would favour background checks for gun sales. It is of course a sensitive issue
in America due to the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution that states
that US citizens have the right to bear arms.
However, what was most baffling about the decision made was
that for the most part it wouldn’t impede this right. The only way an American
wouldn’t be able to access a gun legally is if there was significant evidence
that they would pose a threat to society at large, and surely the public would
want protection from that?
From an outsiders point of view (not being American myself)
it seems that there are people in the US, particularly the Republicans that are
holding on too tight to the past. Is it not time to let go? The whole point of
society is progression so that we can adapt to whatever comes our way and
surely introducing such a law would only do this. The majority of Americans
would still be able to buy a gun if this legislation was put in place. Yes the
checks may take time, but in the end for most people should they choose to want
a gun for self-defence their rights wouldn’t be affected.
By introducing this legislation you are protecting the weak
and the vulnerable which after the shootings at the school in Connecticut along
with others in the past, that’s surely who we need to be thinking about here?
Such easy access to guns puts everyone in danger, with or without guns. Keeping
those unfit to have weapons from arms will help make society that little bit
safer. This is not the government bubble wrapping its people, this is them
protecting them from what is horrific and unnecessary harm.
Obviously the 2nd Amendment is there for a reason
and to meddle in such issues is going to affect some freedom, put by limiting
those people’s freedoms you are allowing for the rest of society to fulfil theirs
in all aspects without fear of a violent and sometimes fatal reaction from those
unfit to bear arms.
The amount of gun crime that we hear from the US is
ridiculous and needless. By bringing in something as simple as background
checks for gun sales you are keeping society safe from gun violence.
This legislation is the only way forward and hopefully at
some point the Republican party and its supporters will see that.
