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Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 1 Guns and Violence Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 2 Other Books in the Current Controversies Series: The Abortion Controversy Interventionism Alcoholism Iraq Assisted Suicide Marriage and Divorce Computers and Society Mental Health Conserving the Environment Minorities Crime Nationalism and Ethnic The Disabled Conflict Drug Trafficking Native American Rights Ethics Police Brutality Europe Politicians and Ethics Family Violence Pollution Free Speech Racism Gambling Reproductive Technologies Garbage and Waste The Rights of Animals Gay Rights Sexual Harassment Genetics and Intelligence Smoking Gun Control Teen Addiction Hate Crimes Urban Terrorism Hunger Violence Against Women Illegal Drugs Violence in the Media Illegal Immigration Women in the Military The Information Highway Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 3 Guns and Violence Henny H. Kim, Book Editor David Bender, Publisher Bruno Leone,Executive Editor Bonnie Szumski, Editorial Director David M. Haugen, Managing Editor CURRENT CONTROVERSIES Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 4 No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electrical, mechanical, or otherwise, including, but not limited to, photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, with- out prior written permission from the publisher. Cover photo: © Shepard Sherbell/Saba Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Guns and violence / Henny H. Kim, book editor. p. cm. — (Current controversies) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7377-0065-3 (lib. : alk. paper). — ISBN 0-7377-0064-5 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Gun control—United States. 2. Firearms ownership—United States. 3. Firearms—Law and legislation—United States. 4. Violence—United States. 5. Violent crimes—United States. I. Kim, Henny H., 1968– . II. Series. HV7436.G8774 1999 363.3'3'0973—dc21 98-56515 CIP0 ©1999 by Greenhaven Press, Inc., PO Box 289009, San Diego, CA 92198-9009 Printed in the U.S.A. Every effort has been made to trace the owners of copyrighted material. Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 5 Contents Foreword 12 Introduction 14 Chapter 1: How Serious Is the Problem of Gun Violence? Chapter Preface 18 Gun Violence Is a Serious Problem Gun Violence Is Becoming an Epidemic by Bob Herbert 19 High numbers of deaths from gunshot wounds, escalating rates of gun- related homicides, and the pervasiveness of guns in the household all point to a grave social illness. Depictions of gun violence in the media fail to convey the extent of the pain and devastation caused by gun violence. Gun Violence Is Increasing Among Children by Sandy Grady 21 The horrifying incident of two boys’ gunning down four of their female classmates and a teacher illustrates the troubling trend of violent acts per- petrated by gun-toting children. Although various factors contribute to this problem, including the prevalence of gun violence on television and parental negligence, the primary causes are Americans’ unhealthy rela- tionship with guns and the failure of politicians to enact gun control laws. Gun Violence Is Overwhelming the Nation’s Health Care System by Susan Headden 24 The majority of gunshot victims are young males without medical insur- ance. The treatments involved in saving gunshot victims can result in ex- tremely high medical bills, which are covered by public assistance and in- creased rates for insured patients. Because a large number of surviving gunshot victims are paralyzed, more money is needed for ongoing medi- cal treatments. Gun Violence Is Killing Many Young People by Jennifer Weiner 32 Many of those who are killed annually by gun violence are under the age of 20, adding emphasis to the tragedy of innocent lives lost. The stories of four of those young victims, Nikkie, Taniesha, Jackie, and Lenorra, are shared to exemplify the personal devastation. Gun violence has made in- delible marks on these four lives and on the lives of the many who loved and cared for them. Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 6 The Problem of Gun Violence Is Exaggerated Guns Can Prevent Violence by John R. Lott Jr. 41 The media focus on horrific gun incidents to perpetuate the image of a culture damaged by the frequent and inhuman use of guns. However, le- gal gun ownership is responsible for preventing many violent acts. Myths surrounding the possession and use of guns contribute to the general pub- lic’s fears. The reality behind these myths is that guns protect their own- ers from violence. Guns Should Not Be Blamed for Violence by Don Feder 44 When violent incidents occur, too often the blame is placed on the weapon rather than on the perpetrator. In especially horrifying cases, such as those involving violent children, it is easier to focus on guns than on the real causes of violence, such as a lack of moral understanding and so- ciety’s failure to severely punish those who commit murder. The Public’s Fear of Violent Crime Is Excessive by Beth Shuster 46 Although the rate of violent crimes, including gun violence, has been de- clining, pervasive violence remains a serious and ongoing problem in the mind of the general public. This misperception is perpetuated by various groups, such as the police, several politicians, and anti-crime device com- panies, who stand to gain when violent crime, or a general perception of it, threatens the safety of the average citizen. America’s Gun Violence Problem Is Exaggerated by Ted Drane 55 The rest of the world views the United States as a trouble spot suffering from a proliferation of guns and an alarmingly high number of murders. However, this inaccurate portrayal has been based on false or incomplete studies. In reality, there are many areas in the United States where lawful gun ownership is high but the murder rate is low. Chapter 2: Does Gun Control Reduce Crime? Chapter Preface 60 Yes: Gun Control Reduces Crime Enforcing Gun Control Laws Can Reduce Murders by Jeffrey A. Roth 61 Studies show that the availability of guns is related to an increase in the murder rate, especially among young adults. Various methods have been offered in the attempt to reduce gun crimes but, in the final analysis, the most effective way to curtail the increasing number of gun killings is to be more vigilant about enforcing existing gun control laws. Supporting Gun Control Legislation Would Reduce Crime by Glamour 71 Gun control legislation serves a great purpose in protecting people, especially those who are the most victimized, such as women and children. With little regard for public safety, gun lobbyists make it their mission to revoke gun control laws. It is important to take the steps neces- sary to effectively support existing gun control laws and press for greater restrictions on gun ownership. Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 7 No: Gun Control Does Not Reduce Crime Controlling Legal Gun Ownership Does Not Reduce Crime by John R. Lott Jr. 74 Forbidding citizens from carrying guns does not prevent crime. In fact, al- lowing people to carry guns deters crime by sending criminals the mes- sage that their would-be victims may be armed. Increased Gun Control Would Result in More Burglaries by David Kopel 77 The number of violent crimes involving guns remains high but the num- ber of home burglaries committed while the occupants are present re- mains low because of widespread gun ownership. Burglars know that the potential for being shot in an occupied house is high; hence, many crimi- nals avoid perpetrating such crimes. Increased gun control would dimin- ish this deterrent effect of gun ownership. Domestic Violence Gun Control Laws Hinder Crime Reduction by James Bovard 83 Strict laws prohibit the possession of a gun by a person with any past in- cidents of domestic violence. Because the term “domestic violence” is so broad, minor circumstances in the lives of police officers would prevent them from possessing the instruments they most need to perform their jobs. The ramifications of such gun control regulations are that police officers are personally at risk. Chapter 3: Is Gun Control Constitutional? The Second Amendment and Gun Control: An Overview by Wendy Kaminer 88 The Second Amendment’s imprecise language leaves its legal meaning open to divergent interpretations in the battle over gun control. Gun advo- cates often take the amendment’s emphasis on “a well regulated militia” to indicate every citizen’s right to own and use a gun for self-protection. Conversely, supporters of gun control argue that a sundry group of armed individuals does not legitimately represent a militia and should not be tol- erated at the expense of community safety. Yes: Gun Control Is Constitutional Gun Control Is Constitutional by Melissa Huelsman 99 The Second Amendment does not prohibit the government from regulat- ing a citizen’s right to own a gun. Individual rights are often restricted for the good of collective safety. With gun violence worsening and resulting deaths increasing, it is imperative that the community’s right to protection from violence is upheld before an individual’s right to use firearms. Gun control laws should not summarily deny an individual’s right to own a gun but they should make it more difficult for criminals to legally obtain weapons. The Second Amendment Does Not Guarantee the Right to Own a Gun by Join Together 103 Gun advocates mistakenly assert that individual citizens have an indis- putable right to bear arms. In truth, the Second Amendment recognizes Guns and Violence Front 2/24/04 9:39 AM Page 8 only the right of a legitimate state-run militia to utilize guns for protec- tion.