Reflection Post #9
Of the different pieces of legislation covered I think that the Gun Control Act of 1968 would of had the greatest chance at helping prevent mass shootings after Columbine because of how strict it was on the selling and purchasing of guns. The act kept people from buying any sort of guns and enforced a stricter was to become certified to carry a gun. The act controlled the order of shotguns and rifles by mail order. It also made the dealers have to be more licensed and certified in order to sell guns. It kept anyone who had broken a law or was mentally unfit from buying a gun. I think these provisions would have made it hard for Columbine to happen because if there were stricter gun laws the shooters may not have even been able get a gun.
Why do you believe that Congress has failed to enact any meaningful legislation, particularly related to firearms, despite widespread public support for policies such as universal background checks?
I think that Congress has failed to enact any meaningful legislation because nothing will satisfy everyone. If they decide on one thing others might disagree and fight it. I also do think that it would be somewhat difficult to keep track of every person that required a background check in order to acquire a firearm. Also everytime there has been a law that was talked about being put into place to have stricter regulations certain people would be outraged and go against Congress. It also does not help that Congress gets a lot of funding from the NRA which is also a reason why it has been hard for them to pass new legislature regarding firearms because of the few of losing their funding.
If shootings like Columbine, Sandy Hook, and Parkland were not enough to move the political dial and push our elected representatives to pass laws aimed at preventing future tragedies, what might be the necessary catalyst? Is there one? Why or why not?
This question is brought up a lot with the discussion of gun laws. Every time it is brought up everyone does believe that there needs to be a bigger catalyst. Whenever a mass shooting happens it's always "Thoughts and Prayers" but there is nothing being done to enact change in the legal system to make it harder for these shooters to gain access to firearms. I do think that although tragic something big will have to happen so that the lawmakers think that it is absolutely necessary to make changes. It seems like if nothing happens that is close enough to the lawmaker they think that it won't affect them.
Great post! I think that the Gun Control Act of 1968 would be an effective way to prevent mass shootings from happening throughout the United States. It was very strict on the selling and purchasing of guns. Having stricter laws and rules pertaining to guns is what this nation needs. One thing you mentioned that I liked about having this act was that it kept anyone who had broken a law and who was mentally unfit from buying a gun. It is very hard to tell if this would have prevented Columbine because of the fact the shooters had their friends buy the guns for them. The friends had clean records and no mental health issues so they would have passed the background check. If the shooters were to buy them they would have ran into an issue. Another part of your post I agree with is that it is very hard to please everyone, especially when it comes to gun laws. Different politicians may want stricter gun laws and others may not, but they also have to look out for what they people want pertaining to this topic. But the hard part is that people throughout the US have different opinions as well. Having the National Rifle Association (NRA) funding Congress is very difficult. The NRA contributes money to candidates who support gun rights so the 2nd Amendment doesn't get taken away. Lastly, I feel like it is very hard to pick out a necessary catalyst. So many shootings have happened since Columbine and there hasn't been any changes. Politicians need to realize that because of guns people's lives are at risk and it is seriously time to start thinking about what is more important.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you when you state how basically the congress can't agree with the different ideas that are presented to them when trying to come up with a gun control legislation. I think also, as you said in your post, that congress is afraid people will go against them if they present stricter regulations on guns. I would think just that worry would actually push congress to come up with something, like something that or an idea that helps the individual that can access a gun, stricter gun laws, and the safety of all the people perhaps it could to a legislation being put in place. But with everyone fighting and arguing it gets congress nowhere and the end result is more shootings sadly.
ReplyDeleteHi Jasmine, you included a lot of great evidence and support for your arguments. And, I couldn't agree more! I feel as though the Gun Control Act of 1968 as well as any form of gun control would be effective at this point. The fact that people are able to purchase guns at a gun show without the proper background checks being conducted is insane to me. I also liked how you stressed the point that more needs to be done other than sending people ``thoughts and prayers." However nice a sentiment that is, real change needs to be conducted immediately so these types of tragedies will be avoided in the future.
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