The Gun Debate

Key idea 1

Understanding the facts: firearm ownership and usage 

Let’s start with some key statistics on how firearms are used—and misused—in the U.S. To begin, who owns firearms, and what reasons do they provide for owning them?

Among affluent nations, the U.S. leads in firearm ownership, with 35% of households and 25% of adults owning at least one firearm. While the overall rate of ownership has declined in recent years, gun sales have not, as many owners tend to buy multiple firearms over time. The top 20% of gun owners possess ten or more firearms. In a 2013 survey, 48% of gun owners stated that self-defense was their main reason for owning a firearm.

People from all walks of life own firearms in the U.S., but surveys show that the typical gun owner is usually male and middle-aged. Certain trends stand out: individuals raised around firearms are three times more likely to own one than those who weren’t. Gun owners tend to fall into middle or upper income levels, likely due to the cost of firearms. Ownership is also more common in rural areas than in cities, as rural environments are often ideal for hunting and shooting sports. About 6% of Americans participate in hunting, a slight decline from 7.4% in the mid-1990s.

By now, you might be imagining someone trekking into the woods with a rifle slung over their shoulder. This brings us to an important question: What kinds of firearms do Americans typically own, and for what reasons?

Civilian firearms generally fall into two main categories. Long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, have barrels up to 30 inches long and are designed to be fired from the shoulder. In contrast, handguns are smaller and can be fired with one hand. Today, most firearms are repeaters, meaning they don’t require reloading after each shot. Instead, a magazine holding multiple rounds is inserted into the firearm, with capacities typically ranging from 3 to 30 rounds, though some magazines can hold as many as 100 rounds.

Long guns are more suitable for hunting, whereas handguns are more appropriate for personal protection. Research shows that in instances of criminal misuse, handguns are more frequently utilized than long guns.

Civilian firearms that possess key characteristics similar to military combat weapons, such as the ability to carry a large magazine, are categorized as assault weapons. In 1994, the Supreme Court established a partial federal ban on these weapons, prohibiting the sale of new models and recalling several existing ones. However, this federal ban was lifted in 2004 due to the sunset provision, which automatically terminates a law after a set period unless it receives legislative reauthorization. As a result, individual states are now responsible for regulating the sale and possession of assault weapons, leading to significant variations in ownership laws from state to state.

Ultimately, we must pose an important question: How many fatalities are caused by firearms? If this were not a life-and-death issue, it’s doubtful that it would be debated so fervently in American culture today.

The authors discovered that the United States has the highest rate of firearm-related deaths each year among affluent countries that are not in conflict. Firearms are responsible for around 30,000 deaths each year.

To provide some context, between 1984 and 2014, about one million Americans lost their lives due to firearm-related incidents. This figure exceeds the total number of combat deaths in U.S. history combined.

Key idea 2

The Advantages of Firearms

The discussion surrounding firearms is multifaceted and emotionally intense. Some Americans may identify as pro-gun but have reservations regarding specific issues related to the use and ownership of firearms. Similarly, individuals who consider themselves anti-gun may also hold conflicting views in certain situations.

Acknowledging that individual opinions on gun policy can be quite complex, let’s explore some of the overarching arguments presented by both sides of the debate. First, what are the arguments against implementing stricter regulations or even loosening the existing restrictions on firearm use?

The U.S. Constitution safeguards the right to own and use firearms, as stated in the Second Amendment, which grants all citizens the right to bear arms. However, it does not provide further guidance on whether or how this right should be regulated. Approximately half of Americans feel that strict firearm regulations infringe upon this Second Amendment right.

Linked to the belief in the fundamental right to bear arms is the notion that everyone has the right to defend themselves with a firearm. In 2008, in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court determined that the Second Amendment explicitly includes the right to possess firearms for self-defense purposes.

Gun owners often express a sense of security from knowing they can protect themselves, their families, and their property during a home invasion. Each year, about one in every 3,500 households that own firearms uses a gun in such situations.

Studies indicate that firearms are the most effective means of self-defense during an assault, but only slightly so. A survey of assault victims revealed that just 2.4 percent of those who defended themselves with a firearm sustained additional injuries. In contrast, this figure increased to 3.6 percent for individuals who retaliated without a weapon.

Some gun owners think that neighborhoods with a high percentage of firearm-owning households are less appealing to criminals, as the risk of being shot during a home invasion or assault serves as a significant deterrent. Consequently, these areas are expected to be safer. However, there is no research to support this claim. Initial studies have suggested the contrary: such neighborhoods are often more frequently targeted by burglars, possibly due to the high resale value of firearms and the existence of a robust black market.

Some pro-gun advocates take their argument a step further, claiming that carrying a firearm in public is a civic duty. They contend that if private citizens can carry concealed firearms, they can intervene in and possibly prevent various criminal acts, ranging from petty theft to homicide. This hypothesis has been tested to some extent, as many U.S. states relaxed restrictions on concealed carry in the 1980s and 1990s. But did this result in a decrease in overall crime? Some studies seem to indicate a positive correlation. Economists John Lott and David Mustard found that these states experienced lower rates of homicide and certain other crimes. However, other researchers have been unable to replicate these findings.

Many US citizens who generally support firearm ownership believe there should be strict regulations regarding who can carry a firearm in public and under what conditions. In contrast, organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA) take a more extreme stance, using the slippery slope argument. They assert that any increase in restrictions will lead to a gradual escalation of federal control over gun ownership, potentially resulting in the confiscation of all privately owned firearms. They argue that this outcome would violate the Second Amendment.

To grasp the complexities of this debate, it’s essential to recognize the American cultural association of firearms with liberty. Many citizens in the U.S. view an armed populace as vital to a healthy democracy. If the government controls all firearms, who would be able to hold it accountable? What would prevent the government from becoming totalitarian? Throughout history, armed civilians in the U.S. have resisted government actions; notably, more than 200 years ago, a militia of civilians played a key role in ending British rule and establishing American independence.

This event continues to hold significant weight in the American consciousness. According to a 2013 survey, 44 percent of Republican respondents indicated that the United States might require an armed revolution in the near future to maintain its freedoms.

Key idea 3

The expense associated with firearms 

Now, let’s examine some key arguments for implementing stricter regulations on firearm ownership and usage.

The most persuasive case for gun control is the toll it takes on human life. For instance, in 2010, there were 31,672 deaths caused by firearms. About one-third of these fatalities were due to homicide, while two-thirds resulted from suicide. Additionally, there were 606 accidental shootings. Emergency departments also managed 73,404 nonfatal firearm injuries that year.

Would the rates of death and injury remain the same if firearms were less accessible and individuals were required to use other, less regulated weapons? Removing firearms does not eradicate violent or criminal tendencies within a society. However, it is evident that firearms amplify violence, and it is difficult to contest the facts surrounding this issue.

Firstly, firearms are easy to operate and require minimal skill, yet they can be deadly. Domestic conflicts frequently escalate when a gun is introduced. The likelihood of fatalities during a robbery at gunpoint is three times higher than during one at knifepoint. While suicide attempts generally do not result in death, the use of a firearm increases the chances of a fatal outcome by 80 percent. This means that intense, violent, or desperate circumstances are significantly more likely to end in death when a firearm is present. Additionally, firearms can enable violent crimes, like robbery or assault, even if they are not discharged.

Another type of violent crime that is uniquely enabled in the U.S. by easy access to firearms is mass shootings. Obtaining reliable statistics on the frequency of mass shootings in the U.S. is challenging due to varying definitions across states. In general, a mass shooting is defined as an incident where an assailant uses a gun to shoot four or more victims. From 1980 to 2010, the U.S. experienced between 18 and 27 mass shootings annually, with fatalities ranging from 45 to 122 each year.

There has been an increasing trend in mass shootings occurring in public places, such as schools or religious institutions. During the mid-2000s, there was approximately one public mass shooting each year. This figure later rose to three or four per year. By 2012, the number had jumped to six, and these figures have continued to rise since then.

Proponents of stricter gun control argue that the absence of a federal ban allows for relatively easy access to assault weapons, which are often preferred by mass shooters, even in states that have banned them. They also emphasize that existing licensing regulations and background check processes are insufficient to identify and prevent potential mass shooting perpetrators.

Lastly, gun control advocates contend that the widespread ownership and use of firearms undermine living standards and harm communities. In areas with high levels of gun violence, businesses tend to struggle, and property values decrease. Tax revenues that could be invested in enhancing local communities are instead redirected to initiatives aimed at reducing gun use and addressing the needs of victims.

Key idea 4

Current Legislation 

Firearm regulations in the U.S. are influenced by the country’s federalist system, which constitutionally divides authority between the federal and state governments. As a result, although there are some federal laws that limit the possession, sale, and use of firearms, each state has its own distinct set of regulations governing firearms.

At the federal level, individuals under the age of 18, convicted felons, and those considered a risk are barred from buying firearms. The sale and acquisition of machine guns are prohibited, and civilians are not permitted to carry firearms on airplanes or in federal buildings. Over the last century, Congress has enacted several significant gun laws.

In 1934, the National Firearms Act mandated that fully automatic weapons be registered and subjected to a higher tax than other firearms. Four years later, the Federal Firearms Act required firearms dealers to obtain licenses. The Gun Control Act of 1968 limited the sale of firearms across state lines and barred felons from purchasing guns. In 1986, the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act relaxed some of these earlier restrictions, allowing for easier out-of-state firearm purchases. In 1993, the Brady Handgun Prevention Act mandated that licensed dealers conduct background checks for every gun sale. The 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which has since expired, prohibited the sale and manufacture of new assault weapons. Additionally, in 1996, the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act made it illegal to sell firearms to individuals convicted of domestic violence.

It is the responsibility of the states to enhance federal regulations. Each state must determine the procedures for issuing and renewing firearm licenses, who is eligible to obtain a concealed carry license, how the sale of assault weapons is controlled, what background checks are required before a person can purchase or, in the case of private sellers, sell firearms, and what criminal penalties apply for the misuse of firearms.

Almost every U.S. state safeguards the right to bear arms in its state constitution. Additionally, all states allow licensed individuals to carry concealed firearms, though the criteria for obtaining these licenses differ significantly from one state to another.

While the federal ban on assault weapons has lapsed, seven U.S. states still have some type of assault weapons ban in place. Following the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, three of these states—New York, Maryland, and Connecticut—broadened the scope of their bans. Gun rights advocates have contested the legality of several state-level bans.

Some supporters of gun rights contend that existing laws impose unconstitutional restrictions on buying and using firearms. Conversely, others resist new legislation, asserting that the existing regulations just need better enforcement. This perspective might align them with some gun control supporters who feel that current laws are not adequately enforced. Nevertheless, many gun control advocates seek to expand these regulations, preferably at the federal level.

Beyond dedicated lobbying organizations, public sentiment in the US shows significant backing for more stringent firearm regulations. Ninety percent of Americans either favor existing laws or believe they should be tougher, while 83 percent advocate for broader background checks. Conversely, support for gun rights has been increasing; in 1993, 34 percent of respondents felt that safeguarding the rights of gun owners was more important than regulating firearm possession. By 2012, this figure rose to 49 percent.

This intricate and somewhat contradictory overview of public opinion illustrates the complexities surrounding firearm regulation, both in terms of what is enforced and what is not across the US.

At the beginning of this book, we mentioned a figure: 30,000. As of 2014, this was the estimated number of US citizens who died from gun-related incidents each year. This figure is similar to the annual deaths caused by car accidents or the misuse of prescription drugs. While neither automobiles nor pain medications are prohibited in the US, several effective measures have been implemented to enhance road safety and reduce the overprescription of opioids.

Like car travel and pain medication, owning firearms carries both risks and advantages. The key issue is whether existing policies create an unacceptable level of risk for the public or if they are excessively restrictive for firearm owners to fully benefit from their rights. Additionally, it raises the question of whether any policy can effectively balance these risks and benefits.

Final Overview

The key point to understand is this: the gun control debate is among the most divisive issues in the U.S. Gun-rights supporters argue that owning firearms is a fundamental civil liberty, essential for self-defense, and that guns also offer recreational value. On the other side, gun-control advocates contend that these benefits do not justify the severe and irreversible toll firearms take on human life.