Aaron OngJan 24, 2013 – Discussion
You would have probably know by now that the gun issue is one of the top issues that Congress is seeking to tackle. I’ve attached this article to let you have a sense of the Democrats sentiments on this issue. Think about the ways that have been proposed to solve this problem. (1) Outlawing guns completely (2) Extensive background screening on people purchasing guns. No solution is perfect, but what is the best solution that the US can adopt? For (1), outlawing of guns would require a complete repeal of the 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms. Just to give you a brief idea, constitutional amendments which take away certain rights from the individual can invoke harsh reactions from the public given that the US has this culture of individualism and rights-based citizenship; also industries dependent on arms and ammunition would go out of business and cause unemployment. For (2), background screening may not be effective as some people may think it might be. In Singapore, we have the the Arms Control Act which punishes anyone who uses or attempts to use firearms with the death penalty. This solution may not be applicable in the US because we never had a gun problem to begin with.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/24/us/politics/democratic-senators-face-gun-owners-roused-by-talk-of-new-laws.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0&hp
Timothy Liu KaihuiJan 26, 2013 (edited)Reply
The US can choose to adopt gun laws similar to those that have been in effect in Israel. Citizens are still granted the right to bear arms, but only if they require it.
“Gun licensing to private citizens is limited largely to people who are deemed to need a firearm because they work or live in dangerous areas. West Bank settlers, for instance, can apply for weapons licenses, as can residents of communities on the borders with Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Licensing requires multiple levels of screening, and permits must be renewed every three years. Renewal is not automatic.”
“In Israel, applicants must undergo police screening and medical exams, in part to determine their mental state”
Information source: http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-dismisses-us-gun-lobbys-inaccurate-claim-about-gun-laws/
Aaron OngJan 29, 2013 (edited)Edit
+Timothy Liu Kaihui Thanks for the comparative research you’ve done on Israel. I can see how it is necessary for Israeli citizens to bear arms as they are in a conflict-sensitive area and hence it is more persuasive for Israeli citizens to have right to bear arms under the restricted circumstances. This does not seem to be the case for US citizens. If you are interested in this area, would you also like to look at this article on Swiss gun culture and tell me your thoughts about it?
http://world.time.com/2012/12/20/the-swiss-difference-a-gun-culture-that-works/
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