IN-DEPTH North Pointe – Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017 – 7 As Michigan considers loosening gun control, the debate intensifies. Take a look at different PULLING the TRIGGER approaches on an international scale CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 goal of banning handguns. to the Pew Research Center, 85 Points of view always been here. They’ve Those who have not lived Restrictions were tightened percent of Americans support For many, gun control is helped people survive. a life in which guns have “The argument on one side further after the background checks on all gun not about guns. It’s about Literally in what was been present tend to be more is that only a good guy with a in which a lone sales. The poll found that laws a part of their lives that known as the wilderness, of a mixed bag. gun can stop a bad guy with a gunman went on a six-hour meant to stop people who are they’re attached to like paint what was Indiana, to live “Honestly, I don’t know gun. What happened with this killing spree with two semi- mentally ill from buying guns to a wall. there, it required you to be where I stand,” English church shooting down in Texas automatic rifles and a handgun. are supported by 79 percent, Gun culture in the U.S., able to hunt and to protect teacher Alyssa Sandoval is that the gunman was stopped Britain introduced the and 70 percent support a federal Mulso said, is different yourself, ironically enough, said. “I think that it’s by a guy across the street who Act, expanding the list of database to track gun sales. than that of any other from the people we were something that is such a heard the gunfire who was a banned weapons and increasing Fifty-seven percent of country. Guns have been stealing land from,” Mulso passion-based issue for trained shooting instructor,” the registration requirements. people supported a fourth here since the colonies said. “But really, their people, and since I’ve never Mulso said. “He went over and Though not as strict, proposal to ban assault and will be here experience is just different. had that passion, it’s hard shot the guy and caused him Australia instituted their weapons, a slimmer forever, ingrained in It’s in our culture. I grew up for me to understand why to leave, so he prevented an own National Agreement margin compared to the the American culture, in a household where there somebody would want to already unfortunate event from on Firearms after the Port other proposed laws. he said. According were guns. In fact, all of have (a gun) at all times. But growing any bigger.” Arthur Massacre in 1996. Steimer said she to Pew, 48 percent my family has guns. To us, if you were raised with the The mainly conservative doesn’t foresee the of American adults it’s just a part of our lives mentality that guns were a national government pushed U.S. making any moves grew up in a house and not something we really part of your life, if you don’t America’s gun control fundamental changes through toward enforcing gun where guns were consider a problem.” know anything else, I can Compared to other countries, parliament after 35 people were control measures in the present, showing Ultimately, what makes understand why you would U.S. gun control laws are at a killed and another 23 were near future or at any time that, to nearly half of the difference is experience want to have it with you, bare minimum. Quickly after injured by a lone gunman with at all. the adult population, and exposure. If one has because it’s a comfort thing, events akin to those in Las a semi-automatic rifle. “I think if you do guns have long been lived a life in which guns and it’s something you know Vegas and San Bernardino, the Australia’s National ban guns, it’ll be like a part of growing up. have been present, and they and hold dear.” and Australia Agreement on Firearms all Prohibition. They “Guns absolutely have been a part of one’s tightened their regulations but prohibited automatic banned alcohol and have been that one culture, according to Pew, that on guns. and semi-automatic assault people did it anyway. feature throughout person is more likely to stand All of the gun control rifles and stiffened licensing It became a badge of U.S. history that’s against gun control measures. changes and laws in the and ownership rules. The honor to drink illegally. U.K. have been prompted by government also instituted I think the same thing extreme acts of violence, such a temporary gun buyback will happen with as the Hungerford Massacre in program which removed nearly guns. They’ll just go August 1987 and the Dunblane 650,000 assault weapons— underground,” Steimer School Massacre in March one-sixth of the national stock said. “And people are 1966, in which all guns were — out of public circulation. always going to have acquired legally. Neither the U.K. nor guns, period. And the The Dunblane School Australia have had any large people that shouldn’t Massacre—which resulted in instances of gun violence since have guns are the the deaths of 16 school children the reforms were instituted. people who a lot of and one adult before the gunman Similar resolutions have times use illegal guns. committed suicide — sparked a been pushed for in Congress, They generally don’t public campaign known as the but have never had any success. commit a crime with a Snowdrop Petition, with the Despite the this fact, according registered gun.”

ZOE GRAVES RORY ANGOTT

SOPHIE KEHRIG