Gun control
It is sad that a country like the US, which takes pride in its technological advancements, a mature democracy, the military-industrial complex, and medical breakthroughs, among other great achievements that other nations dream of, has failed over and over again to sanction impactful gun policy reforms. Not after long, another mass shooting incident hits the headlines with shuttering and devastating aftermaths. Gun violence in the US is a bleeding wound that continues to disseminate contagion, claiming the lives of hundreds and hundreds of innocent citizens and leaving the community in shambles. Sadly, gun control stands as one of the most politicized agendas in the United States, becoming a focal focus of debate in Congress for years, but routinely the deliberations reignite just after another mass shooting incident. Unquestionably, gun control has become an extremely polarizing and contentious ethical concern, with varying opinions from supporters and antagonists. The controversy surrounding gun control emanates from pitting personal rights, as put forth by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, against public welfare and safety.
Proponents
In such a civilized society like the US, when influential elected leaders shy away or decide to overlook proven evidence-based practices that guarantee public well-being, this epitomizes one of the greatest ethical failures. Shocking mass shootings in schools and public spaces perpetrated by frustrated individuals are avoidable problems. However, gun violence, among other current crises, remains one of the most lethal and pressing public health and ethical concerns. Compared to other developed nations, the US mortality rate related to gun violence is 20 times higher (Wamser-Nanney, 2021). To bring to light the scale of this issue, about 100 individuals lose their lives to gun violence daily in the US, far too high compared to car accidents (Wamser-Nanney, 2021). To further stress the severity of gun violence in the US, since 1968, gun violence has claimed the lives of more individuals than all the wars the US has ever participated in since the Revolutionary War (Wamser-Nanney, 2021). These statistics are quite concerning and alarming, and this prevalence of gun violence robs the US economy of around 280 billion dollars annually (Wamser-Nanney, 2021). The consequences of gun violence are well-pronounced and extend beyond an unparalleled public health catastrophe to represent an ethical concern and a societal disaster.
Still, the US accords anyone the chance to buy deadly and powerful military-style weaponries like the AR-15, mostly used in many mass shootings. Even those underage individuals who cannot get a rental car or buy a beer can easily access these weapons. And again, they fall into the hands of frustrated and angry individuals. Reforming gun policies by enforcing stringent gun laws that make acquiring firearms a highly regulated and controlled endeavor while ensuring those who own some use them safely and cautiously will be a big win to curb this gun violence menace. Combining strict gun restrictions, age limits, enhanced mental health assessment and treatment, prohibiting the owning of assault rifles, and thorough criminal background checks for individuals purchasing guns will come in handy (Wamser-Nanney, 2021). These practices have worked in countries like New Zealand and Australia that have experienced mass shootings. Enforcing stringent laws that limit individuals with crime backgrounds, underage, domestic abusers, and those suffering from psychological conditions would play a significant part in curtailing gun violence (Plante, 2022). But this demands legislators to be on the same page and not divided on partisan lines to ensure effective laws are sanctioned. Gun control does not have to be controversial, and passing strict laws does not mean that Americans will not own firearms, but people should see this as a move to make America safe to guarantee public well-being.
Opponents
Certainly, no firearm owner or gun proponent would tolerate the devastating consequences of gun violence. This menace is a national crisis, but there is passionate disagreement about what gun control policy should entail or what measures need to be enacted. According to gun proponents, the Second Amendment allows everyone to have a gun, and passing stringent measures or rules would be infringing on individual liberty, which is illegal and unethical (Schaeffer, 2023). Besides, these opponents contend that owning firearms helps citizens protect themselves from other harms, arguing that the real issue is not on gun ownership but rather loopholes in existing gun laws and mental health. Notably, gun ownership supporters claim that gun deters crimes and can help armed citizens protect vulnerable individuals from harm, and passing these laws will pose a critical safety risk to American citizens (Schaeffer, 2023). The lack of solid laws that ensure firearms are not sold to abusive partners, people with psychological conditions, or ex-convicts is what has resulted in increased gun violence.
Moral Theories
Consequentialism
Consequentialism, as an ethical concept, weighs an action’s moral correctness on its respective consequences. With respect to gun control, this theory would focus on the implications of various policies on gun control based on society’s greater good (Iwundu et al., 2022). Proponents will argue that by prohibiting the ownership of assault rifles used in mass shootings, enforcing comprehensive background checks, and prolonging the waiting duration, firearms will only be owned by responsible individuals, hence reducing cases of gun violence thus guaranteeing public safety and well-being (Iwundu et al., 2022).
However, critics will claim that strict gun control will leave many citizens unable to defend themselves, making them vulnerable to threats and crime. In regards to a consequentialist perception, gun control policies may actually not benefit society as per se because people will not be able to protect themselves. Besides, they will also argue that attempts to control gun ownership is a government overreach that infringes on individual rights, and this overshadows the alleged benefits of gun violence control.
Deontology
Deontology refers to a normative moral concept that accesses the morality of a deed based on whether the action is wrong or correct. It emphasizes adhering to moral duties and rules. According to deontological ethics, gun proponents may argue from the individual autonomy and liberty angle, claiming that people have a moral obligation to protect themselves and others, and legally, they are afforded a fundamental right to own firearms (Iwundu et al., 2022).
On the contrary, from a deontological perspective, gun critics may fixate on the moral duty to guarantee public safety and thwart any cases of violence that might harm the public, even if it means restricting certain personal rights.
My Position Based on Moral Compass
I see the current US political domain as hopelessly corrupt, and elected leaders work for their own interest of money and power, overlooking lobbying and supporting policies that reduce gun violence for the common good of the society. Elected officials no longer serve the best interest of those who voted for them but seem obligated to their donors and particular group interests. Based on my moral compass, which is consequentialism, leaders can focus on the moral imperative and the common good to ensure a safe society and protect the vulnerable by passing gun control policies that guarantee societal welfare without infringing individual rights to own guns. Limiting the ownership of certain firearms, ensuring comprehensive background checks to ensure guns are not owned by underage or those with a history of abuse or crime, and increasing the waiting period to ensure everything checks will ensure public safety without affecting personal rights.
References
Iwundu, C. N., Homan, M. E., Moore, A. R., Randall, P., Daundasekara, S. S., & Hernandez, D. C. (2022). Firearm Violence in the united states: an issue of the Highest Moral Order. Public health ethics, 15(3), 301-315.
Plante, T. G. (2022, June 14). The Ethical Crisis of our Gun Violence Crisis. Www.scu.edu; Santa Clara University. https://www.scu.edu/ethics-spotlight/the-ethics-of-guns/the-ethical-crisis-of-our-gun-violence-crisis/
Schaeffer, K. (2023, September 13). Key facts about Americans and guns. Pew Research Center; Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/13/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/
Wamser-Nanney, R. (2021). Understanding gun violence: Factors associated with beliefs regarding guns, gun policies, and gun violence. Psychology of violence, 11(4), 349.
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