Do Stricter Gun Control Laws Lower Crime? an Exploratory Research Paper

Do Stricter Gun Control Laws Lower Crime? An Exploratory Research Paper

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

August 18, 2013

Do Stricter Gun Control Laws Lower Crime? An Exploratory Research Paper

After the horrible mass shooting that took place in Newton, Connecticut, the majority of law makers and law enforcement agencies began to push for new gun control measures in an effort to reduce the amount of gun related violence in the United States. In fact, since the 14 December, 2012 shooting, there have been 14 more mass shootings in this country, but “mass shootings account for less than 1 percent of all gun related deaths” (Spurlock). The real problem lies with other violent gun related crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape, and armed robbery. Based on preliminary data collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2013), that show violent crime rates increased by 1.2 percent in 2012 (para. 1), many believe now is the time to adopt a stronger stance on gun availability. It’s a topic that has generated much debate, but the question is: Do stricter gun control laws lower crime?

Before I could investigate that question, I wanted to know what the opinions of citizens across the country were regarding gun control. I started by reading a public opinion poll from www.debate.org and found that it was basically split down the middle. Those in favor suggest that removing guns from society will equal fewer crimes. Those that oppose suggest that controlling access to guns only hurts the law abiding citizens. I think that public opinion is a great source to begin the argument because ultimately any laws that are enacted will surely be as a result of public pressure applied to the federal and state governments.

Although the next source did not focus on gun related violence, it did provide interesting information because after reading several opinions, I quickly learned that the debate was more than just guns and violence, but a debate over a person’s legal...