As many news platforms, have reported, last week saw a horrific attack in Las Vegas in which 59 people lost their lives and vast numbers were injured. Sadly, reports of these sorts of events are becoming worryingly frequent, when a story breaks of horrendous instances such as this, rather than a response rich in shock and terror, there is an evident sinking feeling among us, as we ask ourselves how this has happened again. This recent shooting from the Mandalay Bay Hotel utilised 19 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, with the perpetrator’s girlfriend seemingly having no idea of his devastating plans, it again screams the question of whether it is the gun laws in the US which is granting such vulnerability and danger to citizens.
The people of America and the world have campaigned alongside Democrats for stricter gun laws, restricting people’s access to them and their use. Yet, Republicans and their supports have disallowed any constraining of the public’s 2nd amendment rights. ‘The right of the people to keep and bear Arms’ has risen above any arguments in favour of controlling the use of guns further. Following the Las Vegas attack, some top Republicans have said there is some room for negotiation over the use of rapid-fire devices, with a ban not entirely out of the question; the NRA have even suggested they would support this. Yet, this would be a very small step, even if it miraculously did pass.
Australia have taken a much different approach to gun control in their jurisdiction. In 1996 35 people were killed at a former prison colony and tourist attraction in Tasmania, known as the Port Arthur massacre; this was the turning point for Australia. The nation was outraged, thrown into a realm of fear and anger, which lead them to introduce some of the most exhaustive gun laws in the world. All 6 states agreed on a complete ban of semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, introduced an extensive 28-day background check on all those applying for a gun and introduced a rule requiring prospective owners have a ‘justifiable’ reason as to why they need a gun. Since the Parliament House in Canberra passed these laws, Australia has not endured anything of such a horrifying scale; an issue was encountered and a solution implemented. While no law can be full-proof in protecting citizens against any danger, as far as laws can go, Australia are actively safeguarding its people.
Furthermore, Japan has the closest to what may be called a ‘zero-tolerance’ of firearms, and hence possesses an impressively low rate of gun crime. For instance, 2014 saw just two deaths because of guns, compared to over 30,000 in the US. These figures are surely crying out to the US to re-evaluate their priorities; endorse and protect the constitution no matter what, or endorse and protect the people of America. Up until now the former has clearly been winning out, but perhaps finally, after numerous attacks in recent years, the message will ring out loud and clear that guns, of this scale and availability have no place in today’s world.