Running Header: THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND THE RELATIONSHIP 1

ON SOCIETY

The Effects of Gun Control and Relationship on Society

Adan Vasquez

University of Texas at El Paso

THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 2

Abstract

This paper will explore and introduce the leading controversies on Gun Control that are brought

up and will elaborate on the findings with fluent research. The articles that will be used mainly

talk about the overwhelming debate. Additionally, there are many sides to this epidemic that

people arent educated on with this topic. Even though Gun Control varies from each state and

have codes on what firearms are to be allowed for distribution. Furthermore, I will talk about

Gun Abuse/Violence and how it originates from the very uneducated Gun Control topic. In all I

will explain in detail the what makes it hard for people to advocate and understand how Gun

control has a profound effect on society.

 THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 3

The Effects of Gun Control and Relationship on Society

Gun Control has to do the the regulations and the distribution of firearms. Every state has

their own laws that justify this and clearly explains whats allowed. Additionally, gun control has

been a widely open debate that has people either strongly for it or strongly against it. Also, there

are a lot of prerequisites that goes along with Gun Control and they could be good or bad. I have

a series of research questions that I will answer thought out this paper in detail and with

evidence. My stated research questions are all that follows:

What is the current situation with Gun Control?

What positive or negative impact does Gun Control have on our society/country?
Does limiting Gun Control make things better or worse?

I have chosen these questions in the efforts to try and understand the concepts of gun control.

Furthermore, to elaborate how people are uneducated with this conflict that is in society. Gun

control is the leading contributor that leads to gun violence and gun abuse in a community. The

Gun Control topic should be publicly educated because it can or cannot threaten society and it

might inhibit gun

abuse and gun violence

in society.

Starting with the first

question is what is the

current situation with

Gun Control. The

shocking truth in

portrayed in figure 1. shows how the United States is affected by gun violence but in fact is one
THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 4

of the leading contributors to it since gun control is the starting point of the issue. Moreover,

emphasizing the mind-boggling struggle of gun violence in a nation that is known for its

freedom. Of course it is not all the fault of the whole United State as it is the individual states

dilemma to handle. Evidence of this is:

Gun laws vary

Figure 1. shows an overview of the average gun deaths per 100,000
widely from
people compared to other countrys Adapted from More Young
Americans Now Die From Guns Than Cars by Diamond, Dan.,
state to state,
(2015)
and states with stronger gun control laws have fewer gun deaths. Some states, such as

Alaska, Kentucky, and Louisiana, do not require background checks for private sales,

have lax open and concealed carry laws, and fail to restrict gun access from certain risky

populations. (Kirk, C., & Quandt, K. R.)

This emphasizes the structure of laws in the different states. Gun regulations are made to

incorporate safety among people in society to prevent mass shootings this is evident by Two of

the bills approved by the Senate would ban the manufacture and sale of semiautomatic rifles with

detachable magazines as well as semiautomatic, center-fire rifles with bullet buttons, a

recessed button that, when pressed by a sharp object, allows removal of the magazine.

(McGreevy, P.) In conclusion this proves that the United States upholds laws and demand that

its purpose will maintain sanity in society. To point out in the United States compared to other

countries laws varies from federal law and state law. There are a lot of different regulations that

must be incorporated to distribute or buy a gun. Although, there are people out there who try and

go around the regulations that are put into place from state to state. Additionally, if the people

arent being heard of the certain gun right to stop gun violence there would be no way to
THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 5

proclaim the conflict. This sort of event leads to Gun Abuse/Violence because it gets into the

wrong hands and they misuse the intent for the gun, Evidence of this is:

There were 464,033 total gun deaths between 1999 and 2013: 270,237 suicides (58.2%

of total deaths); 174,773 homicides (37.7%); and 9,983 unintentional deaths (2.2%).

Guns were the leading cause of death by homicide (66.6% of all homicides) and by

suicide (52.2% of all suicides). Firearms were the 12th leading cause of all deaths,

representing 1.3% of total deaths topping liver disease, hypertension, and Parkinsons

disease, as well as deaths from fires, drowning, and machinery accidents. (Gun Control)

This is also evident by a public service announcement:

This PSA from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence created by McCann NY

shines a spotlight on one of Americas most pressing national security threats: toddlers.

Last year alone, more people were shot and killed in America by toddlers than in attacks

inspired by foreign terror groups. (KEEP AMERICA SAFE)

This shows that there has been a lot of people who have mistreated the gun regulations in a state

and that the community is trying to do something about it and keep people educated and aware of

what is happening in society. Furthermore, it shows how many incidents that people have been

cut short because of a gun trigger and that it is starting to become one of the main killers of a

human. Although, on the other side it is said that people acquire a gun for the purpose of self

defense. Whether it gets into the wrong hands after that is by choice of the owner of the gun.

There are many responsibilities when buying a gun, common sense would tell us one

responsibility would be to keep the gun in either a safe or hidden place. This of course will

eliminate the potential case of the weapon getting into the wrong hands.
THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 6

In regards to the second question on what are the positive or negative impact does Gun

Control have on our society/country. The positive view points on how it impacts society, would

be that it gives people something to do as a recreational outlook. Additionally, it can pave ways

for self defense purposes of course and can be fond upon as collector items. Furthermore, with

gun control laws we can correctly distribute gun licenses to people who wont abuse it. With

more people having guns in society it can contribute and support peace in a community while

providing self defense. Evidence of this is Studies that directly assessed the effect of actual

defensive uses of guns (i.e., incidents in which a gun was 'used' by the crime victim in the sense

of attacking or threatening an offender) have found consistently lower injury rates among gun-

using crime victims compared with victims who used other self-protective strategies. (Saletan,

W.) This reveals that less people will be hurt which is the most important and can benefit the

community by making the criminal think twice of their actions before they try to use Gun

Violence. Moreover, will basically threaten the unlawful person to commit the crime which

would make society safer. The negative outlook on how Gun Control will impacts society, would

be that it denies safety to individuals because it will enable unlawful persons to purchase these

guns. Which in all would be a bad idea because that means more deaths, injuries and less safety

in society. Evidence of this is The Oregon shooter had six guns on him at Umpqua Community

College, the site of the massacre, and owned eight others. All of them were purchased legally by

the shooter himself or his family members in the past three years. (Kirk, C., & Quandt, K. R.)

Which reveals that without gun regulation, gun investments will be unchecked and can lead to

unlawful actions in a community. Although, it will not fully prevent lawbreakers from

gaining weapons as there are many ways to go around the law. Additionally, this can lead to
THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 7

a domino effect making more

people investing in guns just to

defend them selves. Possibly

making more and more gun

abusers that hadnt been placed in

society. Even though gun laws are

set up it doesnt mean that it

resolves a criminal from acquiring

a weapon this is evident by Of 62

mass shootings in the United

Figure 2. Statistically shows a Poll of 1002 Adults
taken between April 18-21 and elaborates the almost States between 1982 and 2012, 49
equal balance between the two side of Gun Control.
Adapted from USA TODAY by Murphy, S., (2013). of the shooters used legally obtained

guns. Collectively, 143 guns were

possessed by the killers with about 75% obtained legally (Gun Control). This reveals that

criminals will always find away to find a loop hole around the system. In all greatly impacting

society because people feel threatened and they feel the only result is to protect themselves.

In commendations to the third question how does limiting Gun Control make things

better or worse. In Figure 2. by USA TODAY (Murphy, S.) you can elaborately depict that it is

pretty equal views on gun control, this leads to why it is such a controversial subject because

there are numerous view points not just one solid perspective. To introduce why it is such a

debatable subject lets focus on how reducing gun control can make things better or worse we

can conclude that it will only be worse this is evident by The United States loses far more

people to gun violence homicidal, suicidal, accidental than almost any other country, and
THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 8

there is one reason: the easy availability of guns. (Board, E.) This reveals that without gun

regulations implemented in the United States to execute background checks on the people trying

to acquire guns. This will not only better society but it will mainly keep it crime free from gun

abuse or gun violence. Additionally, there are ways to prohibit gun violence, which would be to

notice the signs of it first. This is evident by Gun violence is preventable when you know the

signs. (Earl, J.) and also While you were watching Evan, another student was showing signs of

planning a shooting. But no one noticed. (Earl, J.) This shows how even the slightest

recognition will possible prohibit gun violence action, in this case being intended for a school,

which makes for a safer community and less death incidents.

On the other hand, there is possibility of it being somewhat better if you include that

almost everyone would be able to purchase guns with limited regulations behind it and this like

discussed earlier will in the slightest be able to prevent gun action crimes because the criminal

would have to worry about if the victim is carrying a weapon, which would be in the worst case

scenario for the accuser. Even though, it will be more likely of weapon usages to increase but

wouldnt be for criminal offenses in a society it would most likely be for self defense purposes

since every one is more inclined to have a gun. Overall society is changing do to the fact of this

conflict, most cases it is for the better. This is evident by Overall crime rates have declined in

the past decade, and violent crimes, including homicides specifically, have declined in the past 5

years. (Saletan, W.) According to this evidence this proves that gun control is taking shape,

which is a positive step for society but could also be a very general proclamation since there will

always be gun abuse/violence do to gun control.

THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 9

Through out the research I also was able to get face to face interviews of my potential

research questions and began to asked them. Additionally, was interested to see their perspective

on this topic to try and understand. Asking my first question to a college student what is the

current situation with gun control. The feedback was initially unastonished by the lack of

information they knew she replied with I dont know; all I know about Gun Control is that the

majority of people favor more gun control. (R. Villasenor, personal communication, April 2,

2017) While being intrigued on why she came up with that conclusion. Perhaps it was because

she is influenced by her elders that once talked about their views. Whatever the case may be she

acquired her information from some place and is applying it to her own with out any knowledge

of it. With the second question regarding what kind of impact does Gun Control have on society.

She replied with I would believe that it will have a positive impact on society since more laws

will make less gun violence actions. (R. Villasenor, personal communication, April 2, 2017)

This explains that her notion on the matter is more with pro gun laws view point. Additionally,

this shows that her belief is more towards helping society escape from criminal actions. With the

sides be ever so close explained in Figure 2. it is hard to coincide with one. Finally, with my last

question regarding if limiting gun control make things better or worse. I interviewed one of my

family members to understand their idea of thinking. When she responded to the question she

was morally strong about if gun control was to be limited I believe that it would be a bad idea

because bad people will do bad things. (L. Caro, personal communications, April 2, 2017) This

not only surprised me but in fact it does make sense from the research that was gathered because

it is only common sense that with easy assess to weapons there will always be a possible threat.

Additionally, this shows the unique perspective of a side on the debate toward Gun Control.
THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 10

In conclusion the debate on gun control is an open book giving people the choice they

feel is best. Both sides of gun control have their advantages and disadvantages that would have

an impact on society. In most cases the gun control conflict will forever be a non stop struggle

with no evidence of ending anytime soon. As long as there are criminals with guns this conflict

will be on going. In the end gun control has many controversies that can be discussed and can be

effectively portrayed as good or bad. It is in the best interest people are educated about this topic

as it is constantly occurring with in society on a day to day basis. With the end result being death

for innocent civilians, this is why pro gun activists feel the need to self arm themselves to protect

their families or others. Although, who is to say self arming is a good idea to do as it can bring

engagement in the future. This is the main argument that people of the United States are having a

hard time on coinciding with.

THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 11

Reference Page

Board, E. (2016). Gun violence in America is out of control. Retrieved April 2, 2017, from

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/gun-violence-in-america-is-out-of-control/

2016/02/22/b25f3b42-d9a5-11e5-81ae-7491b9b9e7df_story.html?utm_term=.

93bc891e71d7

Caro, L. (2017, April 2). Personal Interview. Vasquez, A.

Diamond, Dan., (2015). "More Young Americans Now Die From Guns Than Cars." Forbes.

Forbes Magazine. Retrieved April 2, 2017, from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/08/26/americas-gun-violence-problem-

in-three-charts/#3b916dd03e53

Earl, J. (2016). Sandy Hook parents release eye-opening PSA on gun violence. Retrieved April 2,

2017, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sandy-hook-parents-release-eye- opening-psa-

on-gun-violence/

Gun Control - ProCon.org. Retrieve April 2, 2017, from http://gun-control.procon.org/

KEEP AMERICA SAFE. Retrieved April 2, 2017, from http://www.mccannny.com/ brady-

campaign-to-prevent-gun-violence-keep-america-safe/

Kirk, C., & Quandt, K. R. (2015). What Are the Gun Laws in Your State? Retrieved April 2,

2017, from http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/10/07/

THE EFFECTS OF GUN CONTROL AND RELATIONSHIP ON SOCIETY 12

gun_control_laws_by_state_oregon_new_york_texas_california.html

McGreevy, P. (n.d.). State Senate approves sweeping new gun control laws for California.

Retrieved April 2, 2017, from http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-gun- bills-

20160519-snap-story.html

Murphy, S. (2013). "Data Point - Gun Control support sliding down." GraniteGrok. N.p.,

Retrieved April 2, 2017, from http://granitegrok.com/blog/2013/04/data-point-gun-

control-support-sliding-down

Saletan, W. (2013). Ten Surprising Findings From a New Report on Gun Violence. Retrieved

April 2, 2017, from http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/human_nature/

2013/06/

handguns_suicides_mass_shootings_deaths_and_self_defense_findings_from_a.html

Villasenor, R. (2017, April 2). Personal Interview. Vasquez, A.