Should There Be Stricter Gun Laws Essay

Each year in America over 30,000 lives are taken away due to gun violence (Brady Campaign 1). It is only February, yet many American citizens have already become victims to over 10 mass shootings throughout the country. I, like many Americans, believe in the 2nd amendment which states that citizens have a right to bear arms, however, I do believe that there needs to be stricter gun laws. So how do we stop innocent people from becoming just another story on the 5’o clock news? While there is probably no way to prevent all mass shootings without revoking the citizen’s right to bear arms, a good place to start would be paying more attention to the mentally ill and strengthening our background check systems for citizens trying to purchase firearms. Mental illness is something many people suffer with not only in America, but throughout the world. People who suffer from mental illness are about three times more likely to commit a violent crime than those who do not suffer from a mental illness (Becket 8). Although, mass murders only account
Gun control happens to be something that is very passionate to me. 10 years ago, my family was robbed and my Dad was held at gunpoint. Luckily, he made it out alive but I know there are many people who are not that lucky. Almost two years ago, my mother and my brother were at the Grande movie theater when the Lafayette shooting took place. Two lives were taken that day. Two lives that could have been saved if we would have stricter gun laws. There is no reason why law abiding citizens should have their guns taken from them, but there is also no reason why we should sit back not take control on the situation we have at hand. The good do not need to punished for the bad. If we paid more attention to those with mental health and closed the background check loopholes, we possibly could save many