Decreasing Gun Violence and Death
It seems like every day the news covers something involving gun violence. Whether it's a cop that was shot in the line of duty, someone committing a school shooting, or an assassination of someone involved in politics. It's almost normal to see some form of gun violence every week. Having families be devastated by people close to them losing their lives from gun violence. Something must be done to lower the amount of gun violence and deaths that happen in the United States.
One thing that can help lower the amount of gun deaths and violence in the United States is creating stronger gun laws. Another thing that can help lower the amount of gun deaths and violence in the United States is restricting certain guns so they cannot be owned by people. Finally, the last thing that can help lower the amount of gun deaths and violence in the United States is prioritizing teaching gun owners how to properly store their guns. With these three things gun death and violence would not go away but drop significantly. This Paper will be about why I think creating stronger gun laws, prioritizing
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teaching how to properly store guns, and restricting certain guns so gun owners cannot own them will lower the amount of gun violence and death in the United States.
Gun violence mostly turned into a problem during the 19th century. The civil war caused the evolution of guns. One gun that was used during the civil war was the spencer repeating rifle. Some qualities of the gun were "First magazine-fed rifle in military service
, lever action mechanism with a tubular magazine, could fire seven rounds before reloading, devastated Confederate troops armed with muzzleloaders" (Revolutionary Firearms: The 19th Century's Journey from Muskets to Machine Guns,2024). Another gun that was created to use in the civil war was the gatling gun. Its qualities are" Hand-cranked mechanism with six rotating barrels, loaded from a steel cylinder filled with cartridges, Fired hundreds of rounds per minute" (Revolutionary Firearms: The 19th Century's Journey from Muskets to Machine Guns,2024). After the war gun violence and deaths skyrocketed because of the innovation of firearms. Laws were made to try and lower the amounts of deaths. This trend followed until the 1970s where gun violence reached its peak." The gun murder rate peaked at 7.2 per 100,000 in 1974"( What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S,2025). After 1974 gun violence and death has been at a slow decline but still extremely high .
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In the last decade around 45000 deaths from gun violence occurs every year. Slowly over the years more of these deaths are caused by suicide. As of 2024" Firearm suicide is a significant public health crisis in the United States, claiming the lives of nearly 26,000 Americans every year,1 including nearly 1,300 children and teens2 and 4,600 veterans.3 Nearly six out of every 10 gun deaths in the US are suicides, resulting in an average of 71 deaths a day"( Firearm Suicide in the United States,2019). A lot of these deaths are caused because people did not properly store their guns. Leaving them in an easy place to keep and loaded. Prioritizing teaching the proper way to store guns and having harsher punishments for being caught not store firearms properly can help lower gun violence and deaths.
Gun violence has an effect on everyone, but it has a more significant impact on the youth." The annual report's major focus this year is on gun deaths among children ages 1 to 17. In the U.S., gun death rates in this age group have increased by 106 percent since 2013 and have been the leading cause of death among this group since 2020" (New Report Highlights U.S. 2022 Gun-Related Deaths: Firearms Remain Leading Cause of Death for Children and Teens, and Disproportionately Affect People of Color,2024). In certain areas kids have to worry about if they are going to be shot, and kids around the world must constantly worry if their school could experience a school shooting." Annually, more than 4,300 children and teens (ages 0 to 19) are shot and killed, and more than 17,000 are shot
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and wounded-that's an average of 60 children and teens in the US every day" (Everytown Research & Policy,2019). The number of kids killed by gun violence continues to grow higher. But sadly, this number is slowly becoming students who are deciding to take their lives.
Gun violence has a major impact on the youth as they are growing up." increased youth suicide risk has been linked to communities exposed to school shootings" (The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Adolescents,2025). Seeing kids, they are close to losing their lives from school shooting can make them devastated and not want to live anymore. Kids could also experience behavior problems, not knowing how to regulate or express their emotions after something so life changes occur. Making them fall into a deep depression or relying on substances to feel better instead of seeking medical help.
Gun laws are an important part in lowering gun violence and deaths. This article shows how states with stronger gun laws usually have less gun violence and deaths, and states with lower gun laws (Gun Safety Policies Save Lives,2025). Implementing guns laws to the states with less strict gun laws could help lower gun deaths and violence. Gun laws that are used in most states are Background checks, concealed carry, and extreme risk. Background checks look for criminal history, substance abuse, mental health, or domestic violence for a person who wants to buy a gun. But background checks are not needed when
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purchasing a firearm online or private parties. Also guns sale will automatically be completed after 3 business day even if there is no background check." Under federal law, gun purchases may move forward by default after three business days-even if a background check has not been completed" (Close the Charleston Loophole,2025). This allows people who should not own guns to get their hands on one. Gun laws need to be implemented to require background checks for all gun purchases and not allowing gun purchases to automatically move forward after three business days. "Anyone at least 21 years old who can legally possess a firearm, may concealed carry a firearm without a permit" (Arizona Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws,2018). Making every state require gun owners to have permits to conceal carry and making them go through training for proper gun handling can help lower gun violence and deaths. "When a person is in crisis and considering harming themselves or others, family members and law enforcement are often the first people to see the warning signs. Extreme Risk laws, sometimes referred to as "Red Flag" laws, allow loved ones or law enforcement to intervene by petitioning a court for an order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns" (Extreme Risk Laws,2025). Extreme risk laws only take guns away when someone is deemed a physical danger to someone or themselves. But not for mental issues or people seeking treatment for mental issues. The gun law for extreme risk should be changed to temporarily take guns away from people with mental health issues and people seeking help for their mental health issues.
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Gun violence is linked to substance abuse, mental illness, and beliefs." In her work on the relationship between substance use and crime, Reid (2001) notes a causal relationship between the two is difficult to establish because evidence shows that in some cases, substance use precedes criminal behavior, and in others, criminal behavior precedes substance use ", and "While noting common risk factors among substance use and gun violence may provide valuable information regarding the underlying causes of these behaviors, it does not account for the evidence that gun violence is more immediately related to substance abuse "(Gun violence and substance abuse,2017). Gun violence has a clear link with substance abuse, but there is no evidence showing why. My guess is that people addicted to substances will do anything to get more of that substance and defend that substance. "Although the power of this link is greatly overestimated by the general public (Pescosolido 2013), it has been documented repeatedly that people who report diagnosable levels of psychiatric symptoms also report more involvement in acts of violence toward others than the general population reports"( The Link Between Mental Illness and Firearm Violence: Implications for Social Policy and Clinical Practice,2018). This shows there a link between gun violence and mental illness. This is why changing the extreme risk law to also cover mental illness. People's beliefs are linked to the amount of gun violence in the United States. Americans think the only way to defend themselves and others are with firearms, also that violence is the only answer to some problems, lastly
having guns be so easily available keeps America safer.
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certain guns so Americans can't own then can. Every though handguns are more often used in shooting, semi assault rifles have done much more damage. The Las Vegas, Nevada shooting in the Route 91 Harvest Festival had 60 people killed and 411 wounded, Next the Orlando, Florida shooting in the Pulse nightclub had 49 people killed and 53 wounded, Next the Aurora, Colorado shooting in the Century 16 movie theater has 12 people killed and 588 wounded, last the Highland Park, Illinois shooting in Fourth of July Parade had 7 people killed and 48 wounded.( Guns Used in the Deadliest U.S. Mass Shootings,2025). Banning semi-automatic weapons, automatic weapons, and any other military grade weapons so American citizens can not own them can lower the amount of gun deaths and violence.
When bringing up the topic of banning certain guns, people may bring up the second amendment. The second amendment is "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" (Constitution Annotated). This amendment seems to give the right for American citizens to own guns, but the time the amendment was created makes a different story. The amendment was created to protect against a tyrannical government. A tyrannical government is a government that uses its power in a way the oppresses people. When the amendment was created at the time the British government was a tyrannical government to the American colony. The British government was tyrannical through practicing taxation
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without representation, the intolerable acts, and centralized government." In short, many colonists believed that as they were not represented in the distant British parliament, any taxes it imposed on the colonists (such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts) were unconstitutional and were a denial of the colonists' rights as Englishmen since Magna Carta" (Wikipedia, 2024). British was taxing the American colonies even though they had no elected representatives in parliament to agree with the taxes. "The Coercive Acts of 1774, known as the Intolerable Acts in the American colonies, were a series of four laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the Boston Tea Party" ( The Coercive (Intolerable) Acts of 1774,2025). These four acts were the Boston Port, Massachusetts Government, Administration of Justice, and Quartering. The passing of these acts made America want a revolution." A centralized British government refers to the political system in which the authority and power are concentrated in a central governing body, particularly during the 18th century" (key term - Centralized British government,2025). The British government was trying to get authority over taxing, laws, and military stripping the American colonies of their rights.
When the 2nd amendment was created, it was made to ensure like the tyrannical British government wouldn't happen again. Giving citizens the right to bear arms to defend against a tyrannical government does not defend your homes. Also there has been a massive
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evolution in guns from when the amendment was created to present day. From muskets and pistols
to semi-automatic and automatic guns. With the huge progress guns have made, the 2nd amendment shouldn't cover guns made after the amendment was created.
The problem of gun violence and deaths is a difficult problem to solve. Even though both political parties want to solve the problem, every solution for the problem will upset at least one party. But something must be done to lower the amount of gun deaths and violence. Before the problem begins to skyrocket and becomes unable to be fixed. This is why I think creating stronger gun laws, prioritizing teaching how to properly store guns, and restricting certain guns so gun owners cannot own them will lower the amount of gun violence and death in the United States.
It seems like every day the news covers something involving gun violence. Whether it's a cop that was shot in the line of duty, someone committing a school shooting, or an assassination of someone involved in politics. It's almost normal to see some form of gun violence every week. Having families be devastated by people close to them losing their lives from gun violence. Something must be done to lower the amount of gun violence and deaths that happen in the United States.
One thing that can help lower the amount of gun deaths and violence in the United States is creating stronger gun laws. Another thing that can help lower the amount of gun deaths and violence in the United States is restricting certain guns so they cannot be owned by people. Finally, the last thing that can help lower the amount of gun deaths and violence in the United States is prioritizing teaching gun owners how to properly store their guns. With these three things gun death and violence would not go away but drop significantly. This Paper will be about why I think creating stronger gun laws, prioritizing
Baker 2
teaching how to properly store guns, and restricting certain guns so gun owners cannot own them will lower the amount of gun violence and death in the United States.
Gun violence mostly turned into a problem during the 19th century. The civil war caused the evolution of guns. One gun that was used during the civil war was the spencer repeating rifle. Some qualities of the gun were "First magazine-fed rifle in military service
, lever action mechanism with a tubular magazine, could fire seven rounds before reloading, devastated Confederate troops armed with muzzleloaders" (Revolutionary Firearms: The 19th Century's Journey from Muskets to Machine Guns,2024). Another gun that was created to use in the civil war was the gatling gun. Its qualities are" Hand-cranked mechanism with six rotating barrels, loaded from a steel cylinder filled with cartridges, Fired hundreds of rounds per minute" (Revolutionary Firearms: The 19th Century's Journey from Muskets to Machine Guns,2024). After the war gun violence and deaths skyrocketed because of the innovation of firearms. Laws were made to try and lower the amounts of deaths. This trend followed until the 1970s where gun violence reached its peak." The gun murder rate peaked at 7.2 per 100,000 in 1974"( What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S,2025). After 1974 gun violence and death has been at a slow decline but still extremely high .
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In the last decade around 45000 deaths from gun violence occurs every year. Slowly over the years more of these deaths are caused by suicide. As of 2024" Firearm suicide is a significant public health crisis in the United States, claiming the lives of nearly 26,000 Americans every year,1 including nearly 1,300 children and teens2 and 4,600 veterans.3 Nearly six out of every 10 gun deaths in the US are suicides, resulting in an average of 71 deaths a day"( Firearm Suicide in the United States,2019). A lot of these deaths are caused because people did not properly store their guns. Leaving them in an easy place to keep and loaded. Prioritizing teaching the proper way to store guns and having harsher punishments for being caught not store firearms properly can help lower gun violence and deaths.
Gun violence has an effect on everyone, but it has a more significant impact on the youth." The annual report's major focus this year is on gun deaths among children ages 1 to 17. In the U.S., gun death rates in this age group have increased by 106 percent since 2013 and have been the leading cause of death among this group since 2020" (New Report Highlights U.S. 2022 Gun-Related Deaths: Firearms Remain Leading Cause of Death for Children and Teens, and Disproportionately Affect People of Color,2024). In certain areas kids have to worry about if they are going to be shot, and kids around the world must constantly worry if their school could experience a school shooting." Annually, more than 4,300 children and teens (ages 0 to 19) are shot and killed, and more than 17,000 are shot
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and wounded-that's an average of 60 children and teens in the US every day" (Everytown Research & Policy,2019). The number of kids killed by gun violence continues to grow higher. But sadly, this number is slowly becoming students who are deciding to take their lives.
Gun violence has a major impact on the youth as they are growing up." increased youth suicide risk has been linked to communities exposed to school shootings" (The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Adolescents,2025). Seeing kids, they are close to losing their lives from school shooting can make them devastated and not want to live anymore. Kids could also experience behavior problems, not knowing how to regulate or express their emotions after something so life changes occur. Making them fall into a deep depression or relying on substances to feel better instead of seeking medical help.
Gun laws are an important part in lowering gun violence and deaths. This article shows how states with stronger gun laws usually have less gun violence and deaths, and states with lower gun laws (Gun Safety Policies Save Lives,2025). Implementing guns laws to the states with less strict gun laws could help lower gun deaths and violence. Gun laws that are used in most states are Background checks, concealed carry, and extreme risk. Background checks look for criminal history, substance abuse, mental health, or domestic violence for a person who wants to buy a gun. But background checks are not needed when
Baker 5
purchasing a firearm online or private parties. Also guns sale will automatically be completed after 3 business day even if there is no background check." Under federal law, gun purchases may move forward by default after three business days-even if a background check has not been completed" (Close the Charleston Loophole,2025). This allows people who should not own guns to get their hands on one. Gun laws need to be implemented to require background checks for all gun purchases and not allowing gun purchases to automatically move forward after three business days. "Anyone at least 21 years old who can legally possess a firearm, may concealed carry a firearm without a permit" (Arizona Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws,2018). Making every state require gun owners to have permits to conceal carry and making them go through training for proper gun handling can help lower gun violence and deaths. "When a person is in crisis and considering harming themselves or others, family members and law enforcement are often the first people to see the warning signs. Extreme Risk laws, sometimes referred to as "Red Flag" laws, allow loved ones or law enforcement to intervene by petitioning a court for an order to temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing guns" (Extreme Risk Laws,2025). Extreme risk laws only take guns away when someone is deemed a physical danger to someone or themselves. But not for mental issues or people seeking treatment for mental issues. The gun law for extreme risk should be changed to temporarily take guns away from people with mental health issues and people seeking help for their mental health issues.
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Gun violence is linked to substance abuse, mental illness, and beliefs." In her work on the relationship between substance use and crime, Reid (2001) notes a causal relationship between the two is difficult to establish because evidence shows that in some cases, substance use precedes criminal behavior, and in others, criminal behavior precedes substance use ", and "While noting common risk factors among substance use and gun violence may provide valuable information regarding the underlying causes of these behaviors, it does not account for the evidence that gun violence is more immediately related to substance abuse "(Gun violence and substance abuse,2017). Gun violence has a clear link with substance abuse, but there is no evidence showing why. My guess is that people addicted to substances will do anything to get more of that substance and defend that substance. "Although the power of this link is greatly overestimated by the general public (Pescosolido 2013), it has been documented repeatedly that people who report diagnosable levels of psychiatric symptoms also report more involvement in acts of violence toward others than the general population reports"( The Link Between Mental Illness and Firearm Violence: Implications for Social Policy and Clinical Practice,2018). This shows there a link between gun violence and mental illness. This is why changing the extreme risk law to also cover mental illness. People's beliefs are linked to the amount of gun violence in the United States. Americans think the only way to defend themselves and others are with firearms, also that violence is the only answer to some problems, lastly
having guns be so easily available keeps America safer.
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certain guns so Americans can't own then can. Every though handguns are more often used in shooting, semi assault rifles have done much more damage. The Las Vegas, Nevada shooting in the Route 91 Harvest Festival had 60 people killed and 411 wounded, Next the Orlando, Florida shooting in the Pulse nightclub had 49 people killed and 53 wounded, Next the Aurora, Colorado shooting in the Century 16 movie theater has 12 people killed and 588 wounded, last the Highland Park, Illinois shooting in Fourth of July Parade had 7 people killed and 48 wounded.( Guns Used in the Deadliest U.S. Mass Shootings,2025). Banning semi-automatic weapons, automatic weapons, and any other military grade weapons so American citizens can not own them can lower the amount of gun deaths and violence.
When bringing up the topic of banning certain guns, people may bring up the second amendment. The second amendment is "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" (Constitution Annotated). This amendment seems to give the right for American citizens to own guns, but the time the amendment was created makes a different story. The amendment was created to protect against a tyrannical government. A tyrannical government is a government that uses its power in a way the oppresses people. When the amendment was created at the time the British government was a tyrannical government to the American colony. The British government was tyrannical through practicing taxation
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without representation, the intolerable acts, and centralized government." In short, many colonists believed that as they were not represented in the distant British parliament, any taxes it imposed on the colonists (such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts) were unconstitutional and were a denial of the colonists' rights as Englishmen since Magna Carta" (Wikipedia, 2024). British was taxing the American colonies even though they had no elected representatives in parliament to agree with the taxes. "The Coercive Acts of 1774, known as the Intolerable Acts in the American colonies, were a series of four laws passed by the British Parliament to punish the colony of Massachusetts Bay for the Boston Tea Party" ( The Coercive (Intolerable) Acts of 1774,2025). These four acts were the Boston Port, Massachusetts Government, Administration of Justice, and Quartering. The passing of these acts made America want a revolution." A centralized British government refers to the political system in which the authority and power are concentrated in a central governing body, particularly during the 18th century" (key term - Centralized British government,2025). The British government was trying to get authority over taxing, laws, and military stripping the American colonies of their rights.
When the 2nd amendment was created, it was made to ensure like the tyrannical British government wouldn't happen again. Giving citizens the right to bear arms to defend against a tyrannical government does not defend your homes. Also there has been a massive
Baker 9
evolution in guns from when the amendment was created to present day. From muskets and pistols
to semi-automatic and automatic guns. With the huge progress guns have made, the 2nd amendment shouldn't cover guns made after the amendment was created.
The problem of gun violence and deaths is a difficult problem to solve. Even though both political parties want to solve the problem, every solution for the problem will upset at least one party. But something must be done to lower the amount of gun deaths and violence. Before the problem begins to skyrocket and becomes unable to be fixed. This is why I think creating stronger gun laws, prioritizing teaching how to properly store guns, and restricting certain guns so gun owners cannot own them will lower the amount of gun violence and death in the United States.
