Reducing Criminal Violence Through Gun Control Policy: A Comprehensive Approach

Addressing the issue of gun-related crimes in the United States is crucial. However, it is essential to shift the paradigm from focusing on guns as the source of the problem to recognizing that crime is the underlying issue. Criminals use guns to gain an advantage, and unless the root cause—crime—can be addressed, solutions will be inadequate. Therefore, the focus should be on reducing overall crime and violence, which is a more complex and politically intricate challenge.

Understanding the Root Cause: Crime

One of the biggest misconceptions is the idea of "gun-related crimes." In reality, there is no such thing as "gun-related crime." The term is misleading because each crime committed with a gun is a crime, regardless of the weapon used. Recognizing that crime, not guns, is the root cause, is critical for developing effective policies. This shift in perspective could pave the way for more substantive solutions.

Methods to Reduce Crime and Violence

There are several methods that can be employed to reduce crime and violence. However, the process must start by addressing the underlying issue, which is crime, rather than solely targeting guns or gun owners. The three primary methods discussed here are:

Rip Up the Second Amendment

Amending or abolishing the Second Amendment is a radical approach but would require significant political and legal effort. Changing the Second Amendment would involve a constitutional amendment, which requires a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-quarters of the states. Given the entrenched political positions, this approach is unlikely to succeed.

Buy Back Guns

Buying back millions of guns is another consideration. However, this approach is not viable for several reasons. First, it would require a substantial amount of public funding. Second, it would face significant logistical challenges, as it would be difficult to determine which guns should be bought back. Finally, it might not impact crime rates significantly since criminals are less likely to adhere to such buy-back programs.

Imposing a Federal Tax on Ammunition

The most practical and politically acceptable method is to impose a federal tax on ammunition. By imposing a high tax on ammunition, the cost of shooting becomes unaffordable for most people. This approach does not violate the Second Amendment because it does not limit the right to possess firearms. Instead, it limits the practicality of using firearms for criminal activities. For instance, taxing ammunition to the point where one round of ammunition costs $1000, most gun owners would find it financially impractical to engage in such activities.

Implementing Additional Gun Control Measures

Legislative measures should also be strengthened to ensure that laws are more effective. Currently, the federal law on gun possession has a five-year sentence for those caught with a gun. This needs to be increased to at least ten years. Similarly, sentences for those caught with ammunition or engaged in criminal activities with firearms need to be increased from five to ten years. This would help to deter non-criminal gun owners from using their firearms for illegal activities. In addition, the plea bargaining system should be reformed to ensure that federal gun charges are not dismissed easily. Stringent sentencing guidelines will help to make possession and use of firearms by criminals more costly and risky.

Conclusion

Addressing gun-related crimes in the United States is a multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive approach. Focusing on guns alone is misguided, and the emphasis should be on reducing overall crime and violence. Implementing high taxes on ammunition and enhancing gun control laws are practical steps that can make a significant impact without infringing on the Second Amendment.