CON: Gun laws are not the solution

MADELEINE CHRISTIAN Sports & News Editor

Fear of guns and gun violence is growing across the United States and people are demanding stronger gun control laws.

CNN reported that this year there have been 215 mass shootings in the United States Many cities are also experiencing a wave of violent crime, including Philadelphia, San Diego and New York.

It's reasonable to feel unsafe when the news is full of frenzied talk about guns and peoples’ seemingly unfettered access to these dangerous weapons. Fear stems from a desire to feel safe and protected in their homes, schools and all public places. It is, however, important to separate the problem from the symptom.

A rise in violent crime is not the result of access to guns, but rather guns being used by violent criminals. It seems like the obvious solution to tamper access to guns in order to stop violence, but will we get the results we really want?

A 2018 report by Insider listed the safest countries in the world and listed number one was Finland, a country that allows the sale and possession of firearms with a permit, same as the United states. So what makes Finland a safer place to live if the access to guns is the same? According to the World Happiness Report shared by Forbes, CNN, and The New York Times, Finland is also the happiest country in the world.

Political turmoil and emotional distress due to covid-19 have been scapegoats for the recent uptick in crime, but the issue with America's crime is much deeper than that. We continue to uphold systems that repress marginalized groups, use prison as a form of punishment rather than rehabilitation, and refuse to provide our citizens with basic healthcare, housing, and a livable wage.

The United States is the richest country in the world, yet the same report that listed Finland as the happiest country in the world ranked the US at 19thnineteenth. The issue with the United States that does not apply to Finland, is our misuse and misunderstanding of how to treat crime and violence. Finland pours its money into social programs, has a prison system that focuses on reintegration into society, and has a Universal basic income (UBI) that ensures their citizens will never have to decide between paying rent and feeding themselves.

Poverty has proven to be a direct link to a higher rate of incarceration and violent crime.

A study by The Prison Policy Initiative found that 57% of incarcerated men and 72% of incarcerated women live in poverty. People in poverty are considered more likely to commit violent crimes whether it be with a gun or other weapon. Using more tax payer dollars to fund new gun legislation that would not do much for the guns already in circulation would only take away from the root cause of America's problem, its people.