Gun Control in Chicago

Introduction

Gun control and gun violence is one of the most debated issues in America. Bearing weapons is not a new practice in America because it is protected by the Second Amendment of the American Constitution. This paper highlights the contemporary trends in gun control, legal problems pertaining to the issue, and recommendations for solving this problem that has haunted the American public for centuries.

Problem: Gun Control in Chicago

In September 2001, Chicago Legislature passed an Act to combat the increasing number of gun-related crimes. The Act has a provision, which requires that all the guns and similar weapons be properly checked, numbered, and monitored at all times, thus taking a step forward in addressing the issue, that had hampered the image of Chicago for centuries. The violation of this act may result in imprisonment and heavy fines. Most recently, the federal government has appreciated the Chicago initiative and has come up with its own version of gun control project. Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) is an initiative that directs the authorities and concerned people to collaborate on enhancing the awareness against the consequences of gun violence. This project primarily focuses on the ethnic communities living in the United States of America (Kleck, 38).

Due to increase in crime rates in the Western world, the gun violence has gained an international exposure. Thus the governments are forced to implement legislations focusing on the control of guns and other weapons used in crimes. A comparative study of 13 countries, which was conducted by a team of researchers, showed that the crime rates in these countries have steadily increased during the past five years. Legislation against gun violence in Chicago has had a positive impact on the control of violence and the crimes, in which a weapon was used, showed a remarkable declining tendency.

Factors Influencing Gun Control

There are many factors that have contributed to the prevailing culture, in America in general, and Chicago in particular. Racial discrimination and segregation have led to the prevalence of gun violence in non-white communities. In a study, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), most of the black youngsters, (68 percent approximately), aged between 12 to 15 years were found to commit a crime with a handgun. The percentage among the white was nominal and stood at 10 percent only (Correa, 25).

Violent television programs have played a vital role in enticing the youth to acquire a gun and commit a crime, just like the character was portraying, while playing the role. This is clear brainwashing and has influenced the psyche of the youth to such an extent that they have become hypnotized (Correa, 26).

Poverty and lack of facilities also provoke a sense of insecurity among the individuals, who possess a racial background. Most of the families are living below the poverty line. The adolescents use different tactics, including theft, murder, robbery, and other illegal means to acquire a gun.

Gun violence has affected not only the adults but children also. It is reported that in ...