An issue at the forefront that has garnered considerable media coverage and conversation is the second amendment. Few topics involve such raw emotion than those that pertain to firearms. Its no wonder either as the New York Times reports that from 2001 to 2014, there were over 160 mass shootings that claimed the lives of over 480 people. This has led to a large percentage of the population to call for some sort of action to combat the growing number of firearm related fatalities. This however has been met with considerable opposition from the second amendment supporters.
Gun owners and other second amendment supporters feel that these issues are separate from them as the vast majority consider themselves to be law abiding. Fearing gun control laws or the complete seizure of firearms, they engage in strong rhetoric and protests.
It is estimated that there are over 310 million guns in the United States, and that number is growing steadily. A study conducted by The Washington Post estimates that approximately 32% of Americans own one or more firearms. With these statistics growing rapidly, it becomes obvious that gun ownership is an important part of American culture.
There are two conventional or proposed main viewpoints regarding firearms. On the one side, there are those that call for restrictions and question the extent of the second amendment and what it applies to. Then there are the second amendment supporters and gun owners who want to protect their rights. It is important to note, however, that there is in fact a middle ground that is relatively hidden from public perception, despite the fact that it encompasses a large portion of American views.
The media often depicts a black and white picture on gun control. The poll questions and topics on all forms of media presented to Americans usually ask if they are for or against gun control. This, in effect, is an example of a false dichotomy. There are only two options provided when more exist. While there are the radicals on both sides of the issue, the majority of the population is much more centered.
The problem regarding the opinions on gun control revolve around the words at the center of the argument. For citizens on both sides the words "gun control" mean different things. For some, it means that the government is trying to take away all firearms. Others find that this simply means putting basic restrictions to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and mentally ill individuals.
A poll conducted in 2013 by Pew Research found that 81% of Americans favored expanded background checks for firearm purchases. Another poll conducted in 2015 by the Gallup polling organization found that 72% of people felt that a law that would restrict gun ownership to only police and authorized personnel should not be enacted. Gallup also found that 86% of people supported universal background checks for all gun purchases using a national database.
It is true that there are varying opinions on gun control. When the topic of automatic firearms and large capacity magazines are discussed, the conversation does become more polarized. That aside, it is evident that the citizens of the United States are not as polarized as we led to believe. Groups such as the NRA or Moms demand Action for Gun Sense in America take the flowing emotions revolving shootings and gun control and polarize them.
We as a people are led to believe that there is a side supporting gun control and a side against it, with no middle ground. When the facts and opinions are broken down and analyzed, we are still a nation split on the issue, but far less than we believe.
