Sohail Ahmed

Gun Control

Recent shooting in the public eye have added furor to the issue of gun control. I believe that stricter gun control laws are well in order based on not just recent sensational examples, but hard, statistical data recently compiled by the FBI.

A recent FBI study finds that a 7 percent drop in homicides, and a 10 percent drop in robberies in the US in 1998 could be directly attributed to a decrease in killings with firearms. This comes following efforts to limit the availability of guns to younger people. However, tighter restrictions being considered by Congress would further decrease the number of handgun killings. Such bills are being developed in Congress, but key sticking points, causing bickering between Democrats and Republicans, are causing delays. One such point is the sale of firearms at gun shows, a much looser affair than sales at licensed stores.

Due to recent killings by teenagers in Columbine, the debate concerning gun control was rejuvenated and a public and media furor fueled pushes for tighter gun control laws. However, few such laws have since been passed and a new package of gun control laws was recently struck down because of its weakness concerning handgun sales at gun shows. Though bipartisan support exists for quite a few gun-control measures, including trigger locks, it is difficult to compromise a majority of Democrats and enough Republicans to pass significantly limiting laws. President Clinton, a supporter of stricter gun controls, has vowed to veto any bills that do not fully address the gun show issue.

I personally believe that the majority of people are not in imminent danger and may wait a week or so for background checks to be conducted on them before being able to buy a firearm. It is not plausible to say that the rights and safety of people are being compromised because gun control laws are much too strict. A person only needs one or two firearms to protect one’s family, self or business. I believe that the influential lobbying of the National Rifle Association is greatly responsible for Republican opposition to tighter gun control.