Following the mass shooting at a downtown Louisville bank that resulted in five fatalities and eight injuries, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly said that lawmakers could do more to address gun violence in the US, as reported by CBS News.
Kelly is a Democrat married to former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who suffered a severe injury in a mass shooting in 2011. He discussed the bipartisan legislation of Face the Nation on Sunday, describing it as a step in the right direction while calling for more changes to happen.
He said that although the bipartisan Safer Communities Act has been passed and is a step in the right direction, it's only one step, and there is more than lawmakers can do.
Kelly focused more on how guns are acquired by people in the country, stating that irresponsible people can access firearms easily.
The Safer Communities Act
The Safer Communities Act was passed in Congress last June 2022 in response to two mass shootings in New York and Texas. President Joe Biden signed the law in June, focusing on reforming gun safety laws and implementing new background checks and mental health support policies.
The Act also provides funding and resources to schools. It is the first gun safety package enacted at the federal level in three decades and is considered a landmark piece of legislation.
Red Flag Laws
Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson also appeared on Face the Nation and stated that states shouldn't be forced to comply with ref flag laws. He suggested more investments in school counseling and other mental health services to reduce gun violence.
However, Kelly argued that red flag laws work. He suggested more background checks.
Gun Violence in the US
Gun violence is a significant problem in the United States. It is a complex issue that involves not only the availability of firearms but also social, economic, and political factors.
The United States has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, with an estimated 393 million firearms in circulation. While many Americans own guns for hunting, sport, and self-defense, the widespread availability of firearms has also led to tragic incidents of gun violence.
There have been over eight percent increase of gun violence in the United States so far in 2023. These incidents include mass shootings, homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings.
The problem of gun violence is complex and multifaceted, and there is no easy solution. However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the incidence of gun violence. One of the most significant steps is to improve the regulation of firearms.
Currently, federal law requires background checks for gun purchases from licensed dealers but not for private sales or transfers. This loophole allows individuals without background checks to obtain firearms through private sales or transfers.
Closing this loophole and implementing universal background checks would help prevent individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others from obtaining firearms.
Other measures that have been proposed to reduce gun violence include banning the sale of assault-style weapons, limiting the size of ammunition magazines, and implementing red-flag laws that allow law enforcement to remove firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.
Gun violence is a significant problem in the United States that requires a multifaceted solution. While there is no easy solution, improving the regulation of firearms is an essential step that can help reduce the incidence of gun violence. By working together, we can create a safer society for all Americans.
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