In the eve of terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand which led to the death of 50 worshipers, the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, sprang into action in a press conference by saying, “I can tell you one thing right now, our gun laws will change.”
Her action shows a good example of what a leader should do in solving a problem. And in line with what the action of the prime minister, the New Zealand’s cabinet has now agreed in principle to overhaul those laws, experts are reviewing ways to make the country safer from firearms. Within 10 days of the unfortunate incident, the New Zealand government had announced reforms to control semi-automatic rifles.
When compared with the United States of America, it was been noted that since 1970, more Americans have died from guns (1.45 million, including murders, suicides and accidents) than died in all the wars in American history (1.4 million). Statistics also show that more Americans die from guns every 10 weeks than died in the entire Afghanistan and Iraq wars combined, yet the government had not deemed it fit to make reforms that will ensure gun safety just as New Zealand even before the terrorist attack on the two mosques.
In addition to lack of leadership display by the American government in gun control policy, the National Rifle Association (NRA) had always riddled any legislation geared towards gun control in the United States. They had always argued the problems of guns where the killer’s hate, not his guns and bullets.
It is also noteworthy that liberals have often been unhelpful, broadcasting their own ignorance about the firearms they propose to regulate, or speaking blithely of banning guns or of “gun control” in ways that drive responsible gun owners into the arms of the N.R.A. It will make more sense if “gun control” vocabulary is modified to “gun safety”, which is exactly what the U.S. needs.
In the U.S. today, statistics show that there are more guns that people which is a very dangerous situation as it means a very steady flow of guns illegally to criminals, suicidal individuals and others who intend to use gun wrongly in venting their frustration on others.
From Connecticut and Missouri experiences, it is important to note that “gun safety” can go a long way in cutting homicides and suicides. In 1995 when Connecticut tightened their gun licensing laws, it was reported that homicides resulting from firearms dropped by a remarkable rate of 40 percent while there was a surge by 25 percent when Missouri relaxed their gun licensing law in 2007.
Another alarming situation concerning gun ownership is the discovery that there are still cases of gun owners in the U.S. without a thorough background checks. It is astonishing to know that in some parts of the U.S., you need a more thorough background check to adopt a dog than to acquire a semiautomatic AR-15 weapon.
The U. S. government needs to do more to keep guns out of the hands of people shown to present a danger to themselves or others, such as when they are suicidal or threatening a domestic partner. Also people which mental health issues and those found to be nursing some forms of phobias or the other must be prevented from having access to guns.
It is time the U.S. government follows the New Zealand’s example in order to keep its citizens safe from unlawful and avoidable killings by showing a political will in legislation that will ensure gun safety.
