The Issue Of Gun Control - 1332 Words

In a nation where 30,000 lives are lost each year to gun violence,i we face a problem unlike another other industrialized nation.ii There are many reasons why the gun problem in America is unique. America’s culture is heavily centered on guns both in media and in everyday life, especially in rural communities. We have relatively lax laws regulating firearms due to the vocal opposition of the gun industry, gun enthusiasts, and members of Congress supported by the gun lobby. The majority of Americans support gun reform laws, but political opposition, funded by the gun lobby results in little to no change in our laws.iii The amount of gun violence in our country is a complicated problem, but I believe it can be reduced by changing our†¦show more content†¦In our media, guns have a prominent role. In numerous movies, TV shows, and video games, guns are shown as an easy solution to a problem. The consequences of gun violence are rarely shown in media, falling to show the often lifelong impact it has on people’s lives. To effectively address gun violence in America, we must address the culture of guns. Changing our culture will take time, but with the coming of age of the younger generations and a shift in media, I believe we will move towards a society with less emphasis on firearm ownership and greater willingness to address regulations of firearms. The National Rifle Association (â€Å"NRA†) has a strong influence on gun owners, the political process, and as such, gun legislation. Since its founding in 1871, the NRA was traditionally pro gun control and even helped write gun safety laws. Their anti-gun control stance is a fairly recent development. Only since 1977, when a libertarian equating guns with freedom became head of the NRA did this change. In the 1920s and 30s, the NRA lobbied for laws that the current day NRA described as tyrannical. Up until the 1970s, the focus of the organization was firearms safety education, marksmanship training, and shooting for recreation. The current focus is on fighting for the constitutional right to own and use guns as provided in the 2nd Amendment. v The NRA also