Guns. They have been an ingrained part of our society culturally since the beginning. They are so much a part of our country that the Second Amendment to the Constitution says that, as a nation, have the right to bear arms. This is an important thing, having access to guns is important for a lot of people. But this does not negate the fact that as the years go on some owners of these guns are choosing to cause more and more harm.
Each year, guns become more and more efficient at killing.
Each year, more and more guns are produced.
Each year, guns become more of a killing machine that not only experts use with ease. But those who have never even touched a gun can also use as a catalyst of destruction. This is the scary reality of the world that we live in now. Because of this fact, the same gun laws that have existed for years can not just keep being the same. Our government needs to change the gun laws so that those who want to do harm have a harder time getting these weapons that hurt so many.
One of the things that needs to change is how we handle the parents of the children who cause school shootings. Although every parent should not be charged with jail time because of their child’s choices, it should be considered if they had any part in it. For example, if the child had been told by a parent how to get to their guns or if they had a designated gun that the child had access to at all times this could play a part in the investigation. These things can be problematic and can help a kid have access to the tools they need to go through with committing a terrible act such as a school shooting.
However this does not negate the fact that there are times when letting a kid use a gun can be unproblematic such as when a family goes hunting Or if the child is shooting a gun at a target with adult supervision. The main connection that these two activities have in common is
supervision. This oversight of the child when they have the gun makes it unproblematic.
The earliest age that allows a person to buy a gun in Oregon is 18 years old. Although this is the age at which someone becomes an adult, the frontal lobe doesn’t fully develop until a person is approximately 25 years old. This part of the brain controls our decision-making. It helps us weigh our options and the pros and cons of a decision. An 18-year-old can’t buy every gun on the market however, they can still purchase long guns. This small restriction does not negate the age gap between the frontal lobe fully developing and a person becoming an “adult.” Just because someone is legally old enough to be considered an adult does not mean that they are mentally ready to be in possession of a gun.
The next age that someone can buy a different type of gun is only 21 years old. This is still too young. The type of gun that they are able to buy are handguns. This type of gun is very easy to conceal and even this age can be seen as a little problematic as it is still a full 4 years or perhaps even longer until the frontal lobe is completely developed. This part of the brain is an essential part of helping people go through situations and choose what choice that they want to go with, with more of a thought towards the consequences.
Just because there are things that need to be changed doesn’t mean that guns should be banned. They have been a part of our nation, and many would be outraged if all guns are banned. This means that rules that are in place should be changed. For example, instead of having the minimum age for buying long guns be at 18, change it to 21, and in extension, move the minimum age for handguns to 25. This helps put guns into the hands of older and, hopefully, more responsible people.
