Why in news?
A Las Vegas Strip in US witnessed a mass shooting, killing around 60 people and injuring more than 500.
What are second amendment rights?
- In 1791, the Bill of Rights, which is the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was adopted.
- The Bill of Rights provided for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties and specified prohibitions on governmental power.
- The second amendment pertains to the right of every citizen to bear arms and ammunition.
- It was envisaged as a provision to give a sense of freedom to the citizens and for their own defense.
What is the concern?
- The constitution makers did not mean this provision for the present sophisticated, automatic-firing killing machines.
- Also, being a truly federal state, the US states brought in their own rules governing the possession of arms and ammunition.
- It differs from stricter regulations to those that does not mandate even a license to bear arms and limitation on the numbers.
- The regional difference and unregulated use have resulted in many instances of gun violence, claiming thousands of innocent lives.
- On an average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day.
- Though the shooter in recent case is suspected for IS links, the need is for a more sensible gun ownership regulation.
What were the earlier attempts?
- Many attempts at bringing in gun control regulations failed in the US Congress.
- The former President Obama launched a final attempt through an executive action.
- Introduced in 2015, the King-Thompson bill aimed at closing the loopholes in gun laws.
- It aimed at -
- expanding the existing background check system.
- The system would cover all commercial firearm sales including those at gun shows, over the internet or in classified ads.
- However, it provides reasonable exceptions for family and friend transfers.
- boosting funding for federal agencies enforcing the laws.
- improving treatment of mental health conditions nationwide.
- Despite these attempts, the U.S. Congress shows reluctance to take steps.
- This is primarily because of lobbying by the National Rifle Association and the huge number of gun manufacturers.
- The gun lobby’s interest is being upheld by a cultural inclination for gun ownership rooted in the Second Amendment.
What should be done?
- The US Congress must take efforts to pass the bipartisan King-Thompson legislation.
- This can strengthen the life-saving background checks that keep guns out of the wrong hands.
- A Select Committee on Gun Violence could be created to study and report on a sensible legislation addressing other issues in this regard.
- This can ensure that children and those with mental illnesses don’t have access to guns.
- The ‘right to bear arms’ would become meaningful only with accompanied responsibilities.
Source: The Hindu
