Guns Are The Ultimate Cost

By: Tristin DeCroo

Jason Maxwell, a thirteen year old Boy, will never be able to play another sport or watch another movie with his friends again. On March 31, 2014 a robbery in Headland Square took a turn for the worst. Two armed, unidentified men robbed a local restaurant. These men shot four police officers, and two civilians. One of the civilians was thirteen year old Jason. Jason was put into the hospital for three months, due to a ricochet from a shotgun fired by the armed men. Firearm safety is not to be taken lightly. Most firearms are involved in unfortunate events, and have a horrible result. In this case, Jason was affected and many like him face the same issue.

In 2010 an estimate of 15,576 teenagers and children were severely harmed by firearms- almost three times the number of U.S soldiers injured in the war on Iraq and Afghanistan. Guns in todays society are a big issue. For instance, most homicides, suicides, and other deaths by firearms are caused by the deliberate misuse of these powerful and dangerous weapons. Guns are not play toys to be left till later.

Another victim like Jason will never have a mother. On Saturday, January 15, 2013, a four year old named Turner Davis accidentally shot and killed his mother. In 49 percent of unintentional shootings, the victim is shot by another person. Not only do guns afflict the pain of a traumatic or possible death wound, but they can also increase the likelihood of suicides or homicides. A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to be used in a completed or attempted suicide. Gun use is 11 more times likely for assault or homicide, 7 times more likely to have unintentional death or injury, and 4 times more likely to be used as self defense. Guns need to be taken seriously or the number of deaths will just keep rising.

If you look at the State of Alabama, you will see that we have the third worst gun murder rate in the nation. In Alabama a person is killed by a gun every 11 hours. In the most recent 10 years 7,665 people were killed by guns. Almost 50% more than all U.S combat deaths in the Iraq and Afghanistan war combined. Not only does Alabama have high death rates, but Alabama was given a “D” from The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence for lacking gun violence prevention laws. However, there is a way to solve this problem. In California every person who acquires a firearm must have a FSC (FIREARM SAFETY CERTIFICATE) to have or hold a firearm in their possession, according to oag.Ca.org. This law was established to ensure that the firearm death percentages would decrease. With this law you have to score 80% or above on the test. If the person were not able to score this percentage, then he/she would have to postpone getting a firearm.

California’s death toll has and still is greatly decreasing. From 1993 the death toll rate went from 5,500 to 2,235 in 2014. A drop of about 58%. Imagine if the entire U.S had a drop of that much, and although it seems like a far off goal it could happen. Here are some reasons America and the State of Alabama need stricter gun control laws:

In 2010, there was 31,513 deaths from firearms: 19,308 suicides, 11,015 homicides, 600 accidents.

Firearm injuries are in the top three causes of death in the U.S, particularly among the young/youth (ages 1-18).

The gun murder rate for women is the highest in Alabama among all 50 states.

Out of every 100,000 people 5.9% are murdered by guns.

Alabama could be like California as long as we take the initiative. Horrible things that people like Jason and Turner experienced, don't need to happen anymore. So make the change to step up and be proactive. People might think that it would cost too much, but the only costs is the death toll. As far as the argument that it’s ‘Our Right to Bear Arms’, I agree, it is! However, if Alabama would pass better gun laws and endeavor in our possibilities of stricter restrictions, Alabama and the U.S would be one step closer to being a better place.

Works cited:

1.Dustin Racioppi, The Asbury Park (N.J.) Press. "Epidemic: Guns Kill Twice as Many Kids as Cancer Does." USA Today. Gannett, 11 Apr. 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2015.

2.Klatt, Edward C. "FIREARMS TUTORIAL." FIREARMS TUTORIAL. The University of Utah Eccles Health Sciences Library, 1994. Web. 01 Apr. 2015.

3.As Of 2010 Alabama Had The, Third-Worst Gun-Murder Rate In, The Nation 65 Percent Higher, and Than The National Average. Alabama Gun Violence (n.d.): n. pag. Alabama Gun Violence. Center for American Progress. Web.

4.Doj, Ca. "FSC." Firearm Safety English Study Guide (n.d.): n. pag. Pag.ca.gov. California Laws and Regulations. Web.