GUN CONTROL

How do different political ideologies and perspectives

on gun control implicate the individuals and societies?

Fig. 1. Canva library,

Gun control is laws, restrictions or regulations on
the use of guns and gun trading. In different

countries, guns will be controlled in different way.

For example, Japan promulgates extremely strict

law on gun while the U.S has very relaxing

regulation, which creates a huge difference in the

criminals rate between these two countries

Gun control issues are the issues that are caused

when the gun control laws are violated and cause

negative implications on individuals and societies.

Within this topic, on the political spectrum, the left

wing ideology would achieve the liberalism, which

allows lots of freedom and have a more relaxing

regulation on gun like the US while the right wing

ideology would achieve the conservatism, which

strictly ban gun for civilian uses.

Fig. 2. Canva library,

Time line
In 1364, the first firearm was found in Europe, in which handguns
had developed and spread out to all European countries in the
1380s. To increase the steady of the gun, in the 1400s, the first gun
device was also invented called the matchlock, which allows the
Fig. 3. PBS,
shooters to put both of their hands on the gun, and here the gun
industry has started (“Gun Timeline").
In 1498, the rifling principle was discovered that is used for firearms
in 1540, back in 1509, a new device for guns was invented called the
wheel lock, an improved and more expensive version of a matchlock. Fig. 4. PBS,
In 1750, gradually many dueling pistols were going on, and guns
became the main weapon for a duel. But up until the 1800s, dueling
fell out of favor (“Gun Timeline").
In 1776, the American revolution recorded the use of many guns. At
the beginning of the 1800s, the percussion-detonating principle was Fig. 5. PBS,
discovered, in which in 1825, the percussion-cap guns were in
general use. In 1835, the Colt revolver was invented and produced in
mass production ("“Gun Timeline").
In 1864-56, the Crimean War happened where only muzzle-loaded
guns were used, which after that in 1861, the breech loaded guns Fig. 5. PBS,
were in common use, and from 1861 to 1865, when the American
Civil war happened both breech and muzzle-loaded guns were used.
In 1862, a massive gun type was invented called the Gatling gun.
During this time, guns were also much more affordable and put in
mass production so almost everyone can get access to gun control Fig. 6. PBS,
(“Gun Timeline").
In 1892, automatic handguns were invented (“Gun Timeline").
In the United States specifically, gun control started appearing in 1791,
when the ten amendments of the US constitution or also known as the
Bill of Rights were ratified. Then in 1934 the first national gun legislation
was promulgated, imposing a tax on gun manufacturing and trading. To Fig. 7. PBS,
control gun trading even more, in the new gun laws of 1938, the sellers,
dealers, or importers must have federal licenses for selling guns and
record the trading data. In 1968, these laws were developed more
strictly, providing age restrictions, mental health checks, serial numbers
for guns, etc. But in 1986, these laws were loosened, guns were allowed
to be sold at gun shows, and the sale and transfer of ammunition Fig. 8. Canva

were also done more easily. In 1993, a background check was library,
required before purchasing a gun. After that, many heavy guns were
also banned in the market. In 2005, the Protection of Lawful Commerce
in Arms Act was signed by President George W. Bush. In 2008, there
were many arguments that the new laws violate the second amendment,
in which handgun was going to be banned and the trigger-lock
requirement existed (Sarah). Fig. 9. Canva library,
 Key events and influence
This issue was first legally restricted in ancient Rome, where the

standing armies started using arms . These armies were a threat

to civil society and civil authority and the root causes of this

issue, therefore, Roman law had banned these military arms

from crossing the Rubicon, where the standing armies were built.

But this law was violated by Julius Caesar when he maintained a

standing army to invade and occupy the power of the emperor

of Rome, which is a historical event that was etched as the

beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire. He and this event

are so significant that the English Bill of Rights and the U.S

Constitution must promulgate laws to prevent the maintenance

of standing armies and restriction of firearms (Charles).

The National Rifle Association also plays an important role in gun

control in the U.S and also becomes one of the key influences in

promulgating gun control regulations. It has promulgated many

restrictions and laws on firearms, teaches firearm safety and

competency, and keeps track of firearm uses (Charles). Fig.10. Canva library.
Besides that, President Lyndon B. Johnson also had one of the

first movements against the use of firearms, which is known as

the "Gun Control Act", promulgating age restriction, banning

mental-illness- people from possessing guns and etc., in which

some of these laws are still in action today (Charles).
Fig.11. Canva library.

3 highly publicized issues in gun control: Fig.12. Canva library

Gun violence and

The problem in controlling
Possessing gun in home can lead

trafficking gun of the government to further tragedy, especially

suiciding, which is increasing

Gun violence is the

Due to these problematic

due to the covid 19
violence that is caused

ideologies and beliefs on

is also one

from any kind of fired

Gun suiciding
the firearms, has led to

arms such as pistol,

of the biggest issue

many loopholes in the gun

shotguns, assault fires or

related to the use of

laws, providing more

machine guns.. And

firearms. Storing guns at

chances for the criminals to

although there are many

home and the rise of the

own guns, which creates

regulations on the
Covid 19 are the main

lots of significant

trading of firearms but

causes of the increase in
implications on the citizen's

there are still many

the suiciding rate in the

life and security

trafficking (“Gun
United States
Violence.”).

Fig.13. Canva library. Fig.17. Canva library

Fig.14. Canva library. Fig.15. Canva library.
3 highly publicized issues in gun control - continue
Gun violence and trafficking:
Gun violence is the violence that is caused by any kind of fired arms such as pistol, shotguns, assault

fires, or machine guns. It is the biggest issue related to gun control, which threatens the lives of all

individuals around the world. Those people who create the violence get seriously problematic

ideologies and beliefs, which should be avoided. Gun violence not only implicates our physical health

but also affects our mental health, in which people may be afraid of gun violence and refuse to go to

school or health facilities or lack health care or education if those facilities get damaged from the gun

violence (“Gun Violence.”).

In fact, according to Amnesty, there are 500 people who die every day from gun violence and 2000

people are injured. 44% of all violence around the world is involved with gun violence. From 2021 to

2016, 1.4 million people died because of gun violence (“Gun Violence.”).
There was a big controversy go one on those big numbers of deaths and injuries from gun violence,

as well as on the number of guns being produced every year (“Gun Violence.”):
8 million new small arms and 15 billion bullets are produced every year
This firearm economy is worth an estimated $85 billion every year
Although there are many restrictions and regulations on firearms, violence still happens. Besides

that, the gun trafficking rate is also increasing, in which every year there are 10 thousand guns being

traded illegally for criminal purposes. around 75% of traced guns that crossed state lines came from

states without background check laws. These laws are also very easy to be bypassed. Gun violence is

violating our most fundamental human rights. Therefore, each country, each government needs to

have a solution against these threats to life and protect people from gun violence. But the topic has

became more controversial since the rate of gun violence is still rising, which proves the action from

the governments are worthless (“Gun Violence.”).

Fig.18. Canva library.

The problems in controlling gun of the government
Many debates are going on in the use of guns, but the left-wing ideology political party still allows the

citizens to own and use guns with many laws to protect the rights of those who own guns. The

second amendment stated that “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free

State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” and they provide the

right to own a firearm for lawful purposes, such as self-defense or hunting,... But as more laws pass,

the gun violence rate keeps increasing. Besides that, keeping regarding the rise of the violence rate,

would also create a problematic pollical agenda in the citizens and caused a even more serious

repercussion (Watkins).
There is also a big controversy going on in gun production, more than 200 million were being

produced from 1899 to 1993 and now there are about 4 million guns produced each year, with

almost no limitation in both gun manufacturing and trading. Although there is a background check

before buying a gun, because of the loopholes in the laws, this check can also be illegally passed very

easily. Or this check can eventually be proceeded by the gun owners due to the privacy invasion of

their data that the policies collect about their guns (Watkins).
Besides that, there are a lot of limitations on the kind of guns and guns accessories that can be sold

to prevent mass violence. But, in 2018, there was a mass school shooting in Parkland Florida, causing

17 deaths and 14 injuries (Segal).

To prevent gun violence, there are also some suggestions for gun ownership limitations. But because

of the problematic belief and ideologies of three-quarters of the gun owners in the US saying that

the right to own guns is as important and similar as the right to their freedom so this law can’t be

passed and the implication of this issue is the gun violence rate keeps increasing (Segal).
3 highly publicized issues in gun control - continue
Possessing gun in home can lead to further tragedy, especially suiciding, which is

increasing due to the covid 19:

According to Giffords, currently 4.6 million children and teens in the US are living in homes

containing unsecured guns. Here are the implications of the loose policy on gun control in the U.S

("Covid 19...").
Because of the depression, caused by the pandemic of the coronavirus, our whole daily life has

completely changed. We are isolated from friends, family, and support, lack access to necessary

needs such as medical care, lack mentor support for children at school, or the increase in financial

stress in adults. All of which leads to depression and the rise of suicide where the loss of gun control

also contributes to this rate by being the most easily accessed weapon for suicide ("Covid 19...").
In which the depression rate has increased from 1 in 10 adults in the US reported symptoms of

depression to 4 in 10 adults. ("Suicide Rates in...")

Most of the gun owners who store guns in their homes argue that they do that for their safety, to

protect themselves and their families, which can be understood. But doing this without any

protection can put their families in even more dangerous situations ("Covid 19....").
Suicide and gun violence are the main causes of gun death in the United Sates, as you can see in this

data recorded in 2019. According to CDC, in average, from 2015 to 2019, gun death caused by

suicide takes 60% in the total gun deaths and averagely 36.3% by homicide ("Covid 19..."):

Fig.19. NRAILA. Fig.20. NRAILA.

Although gun can be dangerous in this situation, but if we look at another ideology, gun is still a

necessary things for some people. For instance, Carletta Whiting, a disable woman asks for a gun to

defend herself from the bad situations of the coronavirus. She argues that during these bad

situations of social unrest or crisis, the government will not be able to protect themselves and that’s

why the demand for gun control is increasing incredibly anywhere now in

the US for them to protect their own safety. The sale and transportation
has been banned but she and the NRA has been fought back to get back
their rights to own firearm during the pandemic. “Taking guns out of the
hands of law-abiding Americans doesn’t make anyone more safe; it puts
everyone, especially the vulnerable like me, at risk” she said. According to
her, she was the victim of domestic violence that took away her safety in
2015, until she got the firearm that has given her life and safety back. Fig.21. NRA, "Disabled Woman...",
Carletta Whiting lived in the place where gun violence, crime happen 2020.

everyday, therefore she needed a firearm to defend as a disabled woman. Overall, there " are many

perspectives going on in this topic about gun control during the Covid 19, some of them are

“problematic” but some of them are reasonable. The government of the US has not been conclusive

enough to either allow guns or ban guns from the American civilians, which makes these

controversies and issues keep building up (Pereira).

Country comparison
United State Japan
(example of far-right ideology country) (example of far-left ideology country)

Basic info: The United States is a North

Basic info: Japan is an Asian country with a

American country with a population of

population of over 125 millions people. Its

over 328 million people. Its capital is

capital is Tokyo. The main industries that

Washington, DC. The U.S is one of the

this country holds are automobiles,

richest countries in the world with a GPD

consumer electronics, computers, and

of over $21.4 trillion ("“United States -

other electronics. On average, the GDP of

Rankings...") Japan in 2020 is $ 4.9 trillion (“About

The US is controlled by the U.S Federal

Japan.”).
Government, including three distinct
Japan is a parliamentary constitutional

branches: legislative, executive, and

monarchy government with the Emperor as

judicial, which are governed by the

the symbol of the state. It is controlled by
Constitution in the Congress, the
the Diet , which is the Japanese Parliament

President, and the Federal courts. The

that consists of the House of

States and the people can have their

Representatives (480 seats) and the House

own control if the powers are not

of Councilors (242 seats). Every turn, these

granted to the Federal Government.

houses will choose a prime master who will

Each state has its own government,

control the Cabinet ("“Political Highlights...").
which follows after the Federal
The constitution of Japan includes 103

Government which also consists of three

articles, spread out in 11 chapter ("THE

branches, although this is not a

CONSTITUTION OF JAPAN.”):
requirement. (“Our Government.”) 1. The Emperor
The U.S constitution is also known as the
2. Renunciation of war
Bill of Rights includes 10 amendments,
3. Rights and duties of the people
here is a summary of it (“The United
4. The Diet
States..."): 5. The Cabinet
1. Freedom and rights to religion, speech,
6. Judiciary
press, petition, and assembly 7. Finance
2. Right to keep and bear arms 8. Local self-government
3. No forced quartering of troops 9. Amendments
4. Right to not allow for searches and
10. Supreme Law
seizures with no reason 11. Supplementary provisions
5. Right to due process of law, no double

jeopardy or self-incrimination

6. Right to the accused

7. Right to trial by jury in civil case

8. No cruel or unusual punishments

9. Other rights not included in Constitution

Fig.23. Canva library.

10. State rights and powers

Fig.22. Canva library. Continue on next page ->

Country comparison- continue
United State Japan

Gun ownership rate in 2007: 88.8 guns

Gun ownership rate in 2007: 0.6 guns per
per 100 people (Lopez) 100 people (Lopez)

Gun ownership rate in 2012: 88.8 guns

Gun violence rate in 2012: 0.1 per 1 million

per 100 people (Lopez) people (Lopez)

Gun control: Gun control:

In each state, there are many different
The gun control laws in Japan are extremely

barriers and restricted laws to buying

strict and it’s extremely hard for people

and possessing guns in America. But

there to buy or possess a gun (Lopez).
they are seen to have so many loopholes If someone, especially the Yakuza mafia, is

that almost everyone can very easily own

seen to be holding a gun with bullets in

a gun in the United States (Lopez) their hands, they will be imprisoned for an

By federal law, there are still a few

average of 7 years, that is how strict the law

people who are strictly banned from

is (Lopez).
using and possessing guns are (Lopez): Gun is still allowed to buy for necessary

Those who are under 18 ( for rifles

purposes such as hunting, professional

and shotguns) and 21 (for other

necessity, and gun competitions, but before

guns) that, the buyers need to pass through

Those who committed a crime or any

serious tests, checks, and classes: And a

kind of violence normal citizen is completely not allowed to

Mental health issue possess any type of guns (Lopez).

Undocumented immigrants Firstly, you need to attend an all-day

There are also some restrictions on the

class and pass a written test about gun

type of guns (Lopez): laws, then pass a shooting range class

Fully automatic guns are illegal to use

(Lopez).
(for civilians) if they are made after
Secondly, you need to have a mental

1986. test and drug test (Lopez).

More strict and registered laws will
Finally, the buyers are required to have

be applied to automatic weapons a background check for any crime or

But semiautomatic and non-

association with a criminal group. After

automatic firearms are mostly legal

you are allowed to buy a gun, you need

to use and very easy to earn in the

to provide to the police where you put

US, unless of the state laws. the gun and ammo in your your (Lopez).
The police also need to check the

buyers’ guns once a year and the buyers

need to complete the test again every 3

years (Lopez).
Continue

on next page ->
Country comparison- continue
United State Japan

Gun control - continue: Gun control - continue:

Background checks are required when
There are also some restrictions on age in

trading or purchasing guns, which

using a gun (Lopez):
includes the FBI checking a person’s
18 in general
criminal record, mental health history,
14 for athletes
etc. These background checks are also
20 for hunters
very easy to crack through the private
Before firing, that person needs to provide

sales loophole, in which the private

a specific reason and that reason is

sellers will do the background check,

approved by the government (Lopez)
instead of the customer. Another way
Besides that, the amount of ammo that one

the bypass this background check is

can buy is also limited (Lopez)
through the waiting time, after 3 days or
All types of guns are banned in civilian

more which is the maximum for the

areas, and can only be allowed for research

government and FPI to complete the

purposes (Lopez).
checking, and now the buyer can pass
Due to these strict laws, the gun violence

through the background check

issues in Japan are very limited. In fact, in

("Universal Background Checks").

2013, the gun homicide rate per 100,000

Because of these loopholes, there are

people in the US at 3.50 is 350 times higher

many cases of gun violence, in fact in

than in Japan with 0.01 (Lopez).
2015, Dylann Roof killed 9 people with

an illegally purchased firearm (Lopez).

Each state has different gun control laws.

Some are very strict but some just allow

everyone to buy guns very easily.

Although, if your state does not allow

you to buy a gun, you can very easily go

Fig.26. Canva library.

to another state and have one (Lopez).

Conclusion: Conclusion:
There are many different gun laws in the
Japan has an extremely low rate of gun violence

United States and checks as in other

due to the strict laws, beliefs, and right-wing

countries but there are so many loopholes

ideologies that this country builds.
in these laws and these laws are too relaxed

creating so many bypasses for people to

own guns, which causes much violence and

deaths every year.

Fig.28. Canva library.

Fig.27. Canva library.
My perspective:
My perspective: In my perspective, the gun control issue is when the use of guns is not

controlled probably by the government, which leads to unintended implications such as violence,

suiciding, etc. I think that this issue does not only come from the governments and the loose

laws but it also came from the awareness of the civilians. In my country, Vietnam, where gun is

completely banned for civilian use and there are almost no terrorist acts here, the police are also

rarely seen with guns in their hand, the gun violence and suicide rate here is almost 0. Therefore,

banning guns and promulgating extremely strict laws on guns will prevent lots of violence and

suicide caused by guns. But having guns is not a bad thing either as most left-wing countries

allow it for their citizens to protect themselves, which did save many of their lives and make them

feel safer. For instance, Carletta Whiting has argued against the government for her right to bear

arms because that is the only thing that can protect her, as a disabled woman and not only her

but there are also many cases in society that need the use of guns to protect themselves

(source). So having guns still helps lots of people, what makes having guns bad is when they are

used for criminal and inappropriate purposes such as violence, suicide, etc., and I think these

problems can be controlled and prevented very easily with stricter laws and better control from

the government. Therefore, I hold a moderate perspective and ideology on this issue. I agree

with having and using guns but the governments and the laws must have stricter laws and better

control on guns to prevent any bad situations as global citizens, we also all should increase our

awareness on this issue.

Fig.29. Andy, 2022.

Justin's perspective:
In my opinion gun control is a method to prevent incidents such as terrorist and mass shootings

from happening. Even though it doesn't completely solve all of the gun violence issues in certain

places around the world it is still necessary to elevate the situation. I personally live in a country

that doesn't rely on guns much, government officials and military forces are rarely seen with

firearms so my feeling about guns is that we shouldn't allow guns to be accessible to normal

citizens. In Vietnam, the living condition is actually surprisingly good where guns are nowhere to

be seen and complicated problems such as mass shooting and terrorism occur frequently. So

generally speaking I think a country doesn't need its citizen to own guns to have a safe

community. But in countries that allow the ownership of firearms, I think facilities should at least

have guns hidden away in cases of an attack for example school shootings. The schools should

have guns in each class so that in case of emergency, those guns can be used for the protection

of students. In conclusion my ideologies regarding the matter of gun control aligns with left wing

ideologies where they are pro-gun rights.

Fig.30. Andy, 2022.

SDG goals Fig.31. Canva library.
SDG goal 3 - Good health and well-being:
How is it connected?: Gun issues such as violence, suicides, etc. happened, will directly affect

people's physical health and safety. Not only that, but it will also affect people's mental health

as they will get the fear of guns when going outside and their well-being. Therefore, the gun

control issue is significantly violated and strongly connected to this goal, in which the specific

aim of this SDG is to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” ("Goal

3....").
How do the specific aims of these SDGs promote civic engagement and civic responsibility?

Both civic engagement and civic responsibility are involved in this goal, as it promotes people

to have their responsibility as global citizens to participate in this goal in many and any ways

that they can such as spreading out the SDG message or participating in community

services. Most importantly, it encourages us to increase our awareness of our health and

well-being and take care of it ("Goal 3..."). Fig.32. Canva library.

SDG goal 4 - Quality education:
How is it connected?: SDG goal 4 is about ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education

and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Therefore, this goal is connected to this

issue by communicating the message that we should educate the new generations to avoid

gun issues with non-violence ("Goal 4...").

How do the specific aims of these SDGs promote civic engagement and civic responsibility?

This goal really help promote civic engagement and civic responsibility in this issues, in which

the goal 4.7 states “ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to

promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for

sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality,

promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of

cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development”. Therefore, we

need to work together, using our voice, ideology to promote this message, and acknowledge
everyone about these issues to help a more sustainable and better society ("Goal 4....").
SDG goal 16 - Peace Justice and strong institution: Fig.33. Canva library.
How is it connected?: SDG goal 16 is where this issue violates most significantly, in which it

violates the goal 16.1, 16.2 and 16.4. The goal 16.1 states “significantly reduce all forms of

violence and related death rates everywhere” but every year the gun deaths keep increasing

due to the lack of gun control that leads to gun violence and suicides. The goal 16.2 is to end

any types of trafficking, but currently, there are still large amounts of firearms being traded

illegally all over the world. The goal 16.4 states that “Significantly reduce illicit financial and arms

flow, strengthen recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime”,

but as the gun issues keep increasing, this goal is more un-achievable ("Goal 16...").
How do the specific aims of these SDGs promote civic engagement and civic responsibility? This

goal directly promotes civic engagement and responsibility by aiming to enhance a more quality
civic life through strengthening laws that help protect citizens’ life against gun issues. Besides

that, it also promotes the citizens to be informed and acknowledged about these issues and

calls for participation from everybody to spread this message ("Goal 16...").
How can we contribute here?
As a global citizen, we should work together, spread this message out to everyone in order to

acknowledge and increase everybody's awareness on this issue.

Civic responsibility and engagement
Brady campaign:
The Brady campaign is the non-profit civic engagement group in the United States, working

against gun control issues to protect their citizens (“Brady.”).

Brady aims to reduce gun violence by 25% by 2025 and try their best to prevent all kinds of

issues related to guns here are their actions on both macro and micro issues (“Brady.”):
Brady background check: This is a more effective background check, which expands to nearly

all gun sales and transfers either at gun shows, private sales, or online sales. As they stated,

this has prevented many guns from criminal purchasers and purposes. They are working

forward to even expand it out to achieve the goal that every gun sale needs to pass through

the background check (“Brady.”).

Expand the restriction on people who can purchase guns: In the current law, there are many

loopholes such as only dating partners that have a child together are qualified as “intimate

partners” who will be penalized by the government for any type of domestic violence,

therefore those who are not qualified as intimate partners are getting more dangers from

dating violence. Therefore, Brady works forward to end this loophole by fixing the intimate

partners' requirements doesn’t need to have a child together. Besides that the loopholes

with stalkers and hate crime misdemeanors being allowed to buy and own guns will also be

closed, as Brady stated (“Brady.”).

Provide more restrictions on purchasing and possessing assault weapons and high-capacity

magazines to prevent mass shootings (“Brady.”).

Besides the actual automatic guns there are still some devices that can turn non-automatic

guns into semi-automatic, therefore, all of these devices will be banned in the market

(“Brady.”).
Promulgating laws to prevent “ghost guns”. “Ghost guns” are guns that are homemade guns

built from purchased components or 3D printing and do not have serial numbers eventually

the 3D-printing guns can’t even be recognized by the metal detectors (“Brady.”).
Here are the rest actions that they suggest Congress take actions ("Brady."):
“Congress must provide grants to encourage states to pass and implement extreme risk

laws”
“Congress must appropriate funding for the CDC to study this epidemic”
“Congress must help reduce unintentional shooting injuries and deaths”
“Congress must repeal the protection of lawful commerce in arms act”
“Congress must exercise its oversight powers to hold ATF accountable” Fig.34."Brady".
“Congress should eliminate the Tiahrt Amendment”
How can we contribute here:
As global citizens, first of all, we all should fully complete our civic responsibility and global

citizenship responsibility by following all the laws being provided. After that, civic engagement

should be taken in, in which we should help and create an interconnectedness together with

these organizations to spread the messages to more people, acknowledge and increase their

awareness of the gun control issues. Or even better if we can come up with action,

suggestion to prevent these issues.

-The end- Fig.35. Canva library.

Work cited: link