The Pros And Cons Of Gun Control

Australia is not the only country to have taken measures against gun violence. Ever since World War Two, gun control became very strict in Japan. If a citizen wanted to own a gun for the purpose of hunting, the individual must go through time consuming background checks, provide valid hunting registration forms, take a mental health examination, and pass a standardized test. Every three years, the examinations must be taken again for a renewal of the license. Japan has a very low homicide rate, with close to none being from gunshot. Handguns have altogether been banned, permitting only rifles and shotguns (Umeda, Sayuri). Furthermore, police officers are required to surrender their firearms when off duty. Resulting in quite a harmonious relationship

For every 100 people, the number of firearms is less then one. With a population of over 127 million, Japan hardly experiences more than ten firearm-related deaths per year. The number of of murders performed by a handgun is 200 times higher in the United States than in Japan. Even the foundation of these laws greatly differ from that of the United States. For example, the Second Amendment of the American Constitution states that all individuals have “the right to bear arms,” where the Japanese Law of 1958 states “No person shall possess a firearm or firearms or a sword or swords” (Umeda, Sayuri). American Congress claims this Amendment is in place to avoid a monopoly on force, yet the relationship between civilian and government in Japan inquire amicable, making Japan a generally peaceful

Beginning in 1960, terrorist attacks dramatically increased due to the constant conflicts between Israel and other middle eastern countries ("Terrorism"). Because of the perpetual attacks many of the Israeli citizens live in fear and are forced to always be prepared in self-defense for any incoming acts of terrorism. A direct cause of the Israeli government’s reform on gun laws was because of an attack on an elementary school in Maalot (Magid). In total, twenty two children and three adults were killed, but the attackers ultimate goal was to take the children hostage and sell them to nearby terrorists (Magid). As of 1974, this was the first major attack on an Israeli school and it begun a series of attacks on other schools throughout the country. Due to the shooting in Maalot, over twenty years later, in 1995, the Israeli government passed a law stating that all schools were required to station armed guards outside and by main entrances during school hours (Magid). This further lead to armed guards being stationed in front of other popular public buildings that are often visited by largest groups of people daily. Including malls, restaurants, parking lots and train stations, seeing armed guards at all public places became a normal part of the Israeli lifestyle (Magid).