Problem
Inadequate firearm regulation
Other Names:
Lack of gun laws Nature:
Offences of violence involving firearms are rising faster than violent crime rates themselves. The principal concern is with concealable hand-guns which may be carried illegally on the person, and with the uncontrolled purchase of such weapons, frequently on a one-time basis per individual. However, the same inadequate controls allow firearms to be sold in quantities, and in some countries, permit sales to unidentified persons of automatic weapons, explosives and other arms.
Incidence:
30,000 people die from gunfire each year in the USA. A typical year in the USA will see 52% of murders committed with a handgun, with rifles or shotguns accounting for another 13%. Only 35% of homicides are committed without firearms. One in ten deaths of children aged 1 to 20 in the USA are due to firearms. There are 25 million pistols and revolvers in the US. About 2 million new weapons of this type are placed in the US market each year.
Broader Problems:
Inadequate laws Aggravates:
CrimeHomicideFriendly fireAssassinationAssassinationGunshot woundsFirearm accidentsDrive-by shootingsPsychotic violenceHunting of animalsDangerous countriesMisuse of small armsUncontrolled banditryProliferation of weapons in civilian hands Reduced By:
Excessive government controlValues:
RegulationInadequacyLack Subject(s):
Defence → Arms??Law → Law ??
Law → Regulation??
Societal Problems → Inadequacy??
Societal Problems → Scarcity??
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
30.05.2019 – 16:51 CEST