Gun violence is very prevalent in the United States and it is a term that is used to refer to deaths and fatalities caused by firearms. However, it also encompasses more than just deaths—it also includes non-fatal injuries, threats, and suicides by firearms. In 2020, the Poynter Institute revealed that America has become a country that has more guns than the actual number of people. Guns are something that makes violence more deadly because having them around can easily make things get worse. So, in this article, we will talk about 22 reasons why guns are the real cause of death, not just people.
Absence of Stricter Laws Related to Guns
The very first reason why guns kill people and not just people killing other people is the absence of stringent laws or rules related to guns in the United States. Due to this, people around the country can purchase firearms very easily and keep them for their safety. However, not every time it is used for their safety. Most of the time, the guns are used to commit a crime which is referred to as Gun Violence. The absence of stricter gun laws is a very debatable topic in the USA and the key issue surrounding it is the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects the right of Americans to keep and bear firearms.
No Proper Background Checks Before Selling the Firearm
For so many years in the past, there have been loopholes in the background check system of the United States while buying a firearm and this has led to more gun killings. Since Congress of the United States passed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (1993), which required federal background checks on anybody wishing to purchase a handgun in the country, so that it can be checked if he is a minor or not, has a criminal background and is mentally stable or not. However, many times these background check systems have been evaded by individuals who cannot pass them and move to unlicensed dealers to buy a firearm, which in turn leads to more gun violence. These unlicensed dealers sell the guns for their own profit without running a proper check. Recently, research has found that one in every nine people, who react to online advertisements from unlicensed dealers fail the required background check.
Guns Being Deadly or Mortal Weapons
Another reason why guns kill people is that these firearms are lethal weapons, often resulting in the death of the person on whom it is fired. Per se, guns are considered mortal because they likely cause the death of the person regardless of the user’s intention and the manner in which it is used. Other reasons behind guns being deadly weapons are the momentum and speed of the bullets they fire. Bullets, which are fired from a gun travel at high speeds, and it is said that they cross 6 basketball fields in a second. Also, a bullet’s velocity is very high because it travels at a faster pace and inflicts greater harm. Due to all these, guns are said to be destructive in nature.
Lack of Public Awareness and Education on Gun Violence
Lack of education and public awareness with regard to gun violence in the United States, has led to more deaths by guns. It is one of the main root causes of why gun violence is increasing day by day in the country. Most of the American population who do not have a good education, lack awareness about the seriousness of gun violence and how to prevent it. They are not aware of the causes of gun violence which in turn, makes it difficult for them to push for changes and take necessary actions to stop it. Hence, this contributes to increasing the amount of gun-related incidents in the American region.
Death in the Heat of the Moment
Gun-related killings are often caused when people act impulsively simply by getting overpowered by their emotions. The term behind this is death in the heat of the moment refers to situations in which anger, fear, or tensions cause someone to act impulsively leading to violent actions. In the United States of America, just because guns or firearms are easily available, the sudden and emotional reactions of individuals quickly turn into deadly actions which in turn leads to gun killings. Because everybody has guns in America, people often use them in a state of anger, without considering the consequences, leading to more deaths by guns.
No Use of Red Flag Laws or Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Red Flag Laws are those regulations that allow the trusted community members of a state to go to a state court, file a petition, and ask whether or not a person is dangerous and take away their firearms temporarily. Failure to comply with the orders of the court may lead to a criminal offense and the person might face serious consequences. However, these laws do not work properly though they have been enacted in 19 states in the USA. The reason these laws are ineffective is the lack of awareness and education about them among the people of the country. If the American people do not know about red flag laws, how will they be able to use them so that gun-related incidents are controlled? Recently, in his action plan, Joe Biden directed his Cabinet members to hold campaigns and federal awareness programs about red flag laws and extreme risk protection orders.
Easy Availability of Guns in the Market
Gun culture is very common in the United States and it is ingrained in the society. According to a Center survey conducted in June 2023, it has been revealed that about 4 in 10 people live in a household with a gun including 32% of people who own it personally. Also, the reason that tops the list behind owning guns is personal protection. About 7 in 10 individuals have stated that they own a gun because they want to protect them. However, all of this reflects the easy availability of guns in the market because America does not have stricter gun laws and has a high amount of unlicensed dealers who sell guns privately. Also, there are many loopholes in the federal laws that make it easy for people to acquire guns.
Not Addressing the Loss or Theft of Firearms
Another reason that has led to more killings by guns is the loss or theft of firearms which have not been addressed. When guns or firearms are stolen or go missing, they can end up in the hands of the wrong individuals leading to more gun violence. Not addressing the loss of firearms refers to a situation when there are no regulations around reporting the theft of guns and also not reporting it deliberately for the own good. The data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has revealed a 250% increase in the number of guns stolen or lost during shipment. It is critical to record these numbers because it will help in curbing gun-related incidents in the USA.
Marketing Firearms to Minors
Because the gun culture is ingrained in the American region, it is often seen that many a time, gun owners are minors. Selling firearms to minors has been a prevalent practice in the USA because there are no tighter laws present and on the basis of the Second Amendment, they consider bearing guns as their constitutional right. Marketing guns to minors has increased gun killings because it leads to more accidents and higher chances of getting missed. In 1999, the shooters at Columbine High School were both minors and were easily able to acquire firearms. To avoid background checks, they have their acquaintances purchase guns through an unlicensed dealer.
Increased Amount of Fear and Tension
If guns are made available so easily, there are high chance that they will be used in cases of increased fear and tension. The United States of America is a country in which there are more guns than people. When the emotions of an individual are heightened, they do not have the mental ability to decide properly and this significantly impacts their decision-making leading to more impulsive reactions. Fear and tension among the individuals lead to violent outbursts and having a gun with them can make it worse.
Not Supporting the Gun Violence Survivors, Victims, and Affected Communities
The next reason as to why guns kill people is not supporting the gun violence victims, survivors, and affected communities. For the past many years, the people who are affected by gun-related incidents have not been supported properly by federal laws which has led to more gun violence. It is stated that when the trauma faced by these individuals is not addressed, it can lead to mental stress which can turn into more gun killings. Also, without any federal support, recovering from gun violence can be slow and steady. So, the federal government of the US should provide necessary support to the people so that further gun-related incidents can be stopped.
Guns Not Able to be Detected by the Metal Detectors
Previously guns were made of metallic material which made it easier for them to get detected by metal detectors. But now, as new features and technologies are introduced people prefer guns that are made of non-metallic material such as polymer. The polymer-made guns are not detectable by the metal detectors which has led to more gun killings in the country. Because of this, the firearms pass the security checks and enter the secure places leading to more gun violence.
Getting Misused In the Cases of Domestic Violence
As we all know, in the United States of America, every person owns a gun and every 4 in 10 households has a firearm for their protection. However, not every time these firearms are used for protection. Sometimes they are used just in the heat of the moment such as in the cases of domestic violence. In these cases, because firearms are present in close serenity, people use them in anger leading to violent crimes. Also, many times guns are used to intimidate and create a sense of fear among the partners. Statistics from the Everytown for Gun Safety organization show how often gun-related intimate partner violence is in the US: An intimate partner shoots and kills 70 women on average each month. Almost 4.5 million women have claimed that an intimate partner has threatened them with a gun, and nearly 1 million women have experienced intimate relationship violence.
Guns and Organized Crimes
Organized crime groups often use violence in order to maintain their control and dominance over a place and these violent acts involve the use of firearms or guns. The OCGs are involved in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and gambling, and for all these, they use guns which leads to more gun-related deaths. Also, they do illegal trafficking of weapons which increases the possibility of guns getting into the wrong hands. Hence, Organized crimes by extremist groups increase the rate of gun killings.
No Awareness with Regard to Using a Gun
The next reason behind why guns kill people is the lack of awareness on how to use a gun. Though firearms are easily available in the United States, information about how to actually use them is very scarce. A lack of understanding about how to safely use and store a gun can lead to more gun killings. Also, without being aware of the proper usage and storage of guns, the risk of accidents and misuse increases at a higher pace. Most of the time, people keep their guns unloaded when not in use, which leads to accidental killings. NY Times reports statistics, which was based on data from eight states in 2021 and 2022, discovered that despite an increase in gun-related suicides and child fatalities, many gun owners kept their weapons loaded and unlocked in their homes. 40% of Alaskans fit this description.
Weaponizing Fear
Weaponizing Fear means when a person uses fear as a tool to control something or manipulate somebody so that he can achieve his own goals. Also, it is a term that is used to gain power by inculcating a sense of fear. However, people often do this by using guns or firearms because it creates more fear and tension among the individuals. For example in cases of coercion and extortion, people can use guns in order to make the individual comply with their demands.
Misusing Guns in Cases of Self-Defense
Not every time a gun or firearm is used for self-defense. In the United States of America, several individuals have possessed a gun just by stating that they are keeping it for their self-defense. But that is not always the case. In the disguise of self-protection, criminals can use guns to escalate violence and inflict harm on others. In addition to this, guns used in self-defense can increase the risk of accidents because not everyone is well-versed in the proper use of guns.
Inadequate Safe Storage Practices
Another reason behind the increasing amount of gun violence in the United States is inadequate safe storage practices. Though guns are easily available in the country, keeping them locked and stored properly is a necessary requirement. Lack of proper storage facilities leads to more gun killings because they are often stolen or misplaced. Also, when firearms are not stored safely, they can reach out to children leading to more gun-related accidents. So, the country needs to enact some stringent laws with regard to proper storage activities.
No Skills With Regard to Resolving a Conflict
Nowadays, nobody wants to resolve a fight properly rather they immediately reach a conclusion themselves. No skills with regard to resolving a conflict means that people do not know how to end a fight peacefully. In addition to this, the presence of guns in the country makes it worse because instead of talking things out, people respond with anger which results in more gun killings. Every individual in America walks around with a gun and when they enter a fight, the presence of a firearm escalates the issue.
Not Enforcing Gun Laws Properly
Regulations about guns or firearms should be so stringent that nobody should think of violating them. However, not enforcing them properly can lead to severe consequences such as illegal gun ownership by criminals, firearms being used for criminal activities, and more gun-related deaths in cases of accidents and suicides. Also, if the gun laws in a country are not followed properly, it will encourage people to become more violent and commit crimes irrespective of thinking about the consequences.
Not Keeping Track of Licensed Gun Dealers Who Are Breaking the Law
The gun killings in the USA have also increased because the authorities are not keeping a close check on the licensed gun dealers who are breaking the laws. It is necessary to keep track of them because they might be selling them to minors and criminals, who in turn could misuse them. In addition to this, if these dealers aren’t regulated they might continue selling firearms without complying with the laws, leading to more gun-related killings. Joe Biden has recently stated that in his new action plan to curb gun violence, he has directed the Attorney General to publicly release information about gun dealers who are breaking the law.
Not Properly Enforcing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is the most important gun-related gun in America which was signed by Joe Biden in 2022. During his presidential run, Biden has always tried to curb the situation of gun violence, so he enacted this federal law and made the most out of his administration. This law prohibits the purchase of guns if the buyer has committed any crime and does not pass the NICS background check. However, the non-enforcement of this law in a proper manner has increased the number of gun killings in America.
