The insecurity we face in our nation has always made the issue of gun control a very debatable topic, there are laws that restrict the ownership of guns among private persons/ the public, still, we see and hear the news about the Boko Haram, kidnappers, and other criminals being paraded with guns and other complex ammunition, the question is how do they have the resources and ways of getting these weapons to cause havoc on the common citizens who have no right to also get a gun to defend themselves.
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We know these laws are made to tackle this same issue of insecurity which has so far been on a steady increase all over the country, especially in the northern part, we recently heard the news of the kidnapping of school girls right in their school premises alongside their teachers, how sad, if it were to be in a more developed country, while the operation was ongoing, a simple call to 911 would have probably sent security team sweeping through the school to rescue the student, but sadly the case is different here, you set laws to restrict people from defending themselves by owning a gun, yet you fail as a system to provide same citizens with protection, giving the enemies power over the citizens.
Isn't the gun control law meant to be for the benefit of the public by ensuring that our safety is guaranteed, not letting guns get into the hands of mentally unstable individuals, also criminals? It is sad to see individuals lose their lives due to firearm-related injuries, it will surprise you to know that these killings are not caused by criminals alone, but some mentally unstable law enforcement agents, like the police, have also been guilty and even caught on camera, shooting unarmed citizens, some were drunk with alcohol, while some others were power drunk shattering more the sense of safety and security within our communities.
I'm not against the law, but I think our government should make it more strict so that these arms won't get into the hands of criminals, and fish out corrupt law enforcement agent who also use their power and legal means to perform illegal duties by making these arms available to thugs, more rules like stricter background checks, assault weapon bans, and measures to prevent individuals with a history of domestic violence or mental health should be implemented to deny unapproved individuals from accessing firearms, which could in turn potentially save countless lives.
These rules should also include security agencies, to prevent cases like the one I stated above, they should be allowed to go through mental checks often, because they have arms in custody, and allowing them not to be subjected to this test often is the result we see happening today, I believe the creation of arms should be for good intentions, ensuring security and safety as it is mostly feared. So people don't behave anyhow but for it to be put into good use, it has to be in good hands.
Another approach is that there should be universal background checks for all guns purchased, irrespective of the reason for purchase, whether those made for shows, hunting, security agencies, private use, etc. And not just checking purchases made by licensed dealers only. No loophole should be left for individuals to purchase guns through illegal means.
Universal background checks would help prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands, while still respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens to own guns for legitimate purposes such as hunting, sport shooting, or self-defense.
In conclusion, to address the root causes of gun violence, issues such as mental health issues, domestic violence, and societal factors that contribute to a insecurity we face should be properly addressed and fought against, the government and NGOs can invest in mental health services which are rare in my country, because they believe it's only a mad person that should be tagged with mental health ignoring the fact that even the unpalatable state of the nation has rendered a lot of citizens with mental problems, which cannot be detected unless they seek professional help. Someone prone to the act of domestic violence can also misuse guns and should not be allowed ownership as well.
And finally,
Efforts to promote responsible gun ownership and education could play a crucial role also, to prevent accidents and misuse. Initiatives aimed at encouraging safe storage practices, firearm safety training, and educational campaigns highlighting the risks and responsibilities associated with gun ownership could help create a culture of responsible gun ownership, while still respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.
Thank you for reading.❤❤
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