Mass Shooting Effects

The effects of a mass shooting, especially one like the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, can have many effects on a nation. Whatever the effects may be, the effects have a common denominator of shock and sorrow. Human nature then leads people to hold other people or things responsible for the event. Organized groups form and demands are made in order to prevent a similar event from occurring. In the case of a mass murder, these groups either demand for stricter gun laws, or promote the use of guns for self defense. The depressing reality is that no sort of regulation could have prevent someone like Adam Lanza from doing what he did on that cold December morning. No law may prevent a mentally deranged person from becoming an active mass

Still these laws are put down by the NRA and other wealthy lobby groups. Common sense laws like the enforcement of background checks, have yet to be passed in 38 states. A study done by the Pew Research Center in 2014 shows that 85% of Americans favor background checks. While this law is specially popular, one may argue that any other form of gun control is irrational and utterly impossible. The overwhelming amount of firearms per capita in the U.S is already a challenge for the government to keep track of every firearm. If for some reason the Second Amendment were to be revoked, there would be no efficient or effective way for the government to gather all privately owned firearms and accessories. This would only include firearms that are registered under background checks, and as mentioned earlier, 40% of all firearms purchased in America are acquired at gun shows, where background checks are not required. The sheer amount and popularity of guns in America already overshadows the aims of many pro-gun control groups. Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Stop Gun Violence says “ I am happy to consider the debate on the Second Amendment closed...reopening the debate is not what we should be doing. We have to respect the fact that a lot of law abiding people believe in gun ownership.” (Gross qtd. in Goldberg 2-4). Prior to making this statement, the Brady Campaign supported a complete ban on privately owned handguns. While gun control has strong support, the strength of its opposition is far greater. Flatlined gun violence rates, powerful lobby groups, the potential for guns to save lives, as well as the economic/social importance of guns, make any attempt to implement gun control, borderline impossible. (Johnson