The gun issue is known to be one of the largest controversial subjects. Recently, the fight taking place in Nevada over having a gun background check to private-party gun sales is pulling through stronger than ever.
In Nevada, gun control advocates continue to argue that the states who have embraced the restrictions on firearms beyond federal laws have seen a remarkable amount of reductions in gun violence.
The gun control movement has had a major impact since the 2012 mass shooting of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut. The shooting caused the lives of 6 teachers and 20 first grade children to be taken too early by a gunman who later took his own life as well.
Nevadans for Background Checks along with Everytown for Gun Safety have had a major role in what is being invested in the fight. In 2015 Nevadans for Background Checks raised more than $1.15 million, which much of the money consisted of donations from Everytown for Gun Safety.
Whatever side of the issue you are rooting for the stakes are high in every situation.
Federal law requires background checks on ALL sales by licensed dealers. Multiple states including Connecticut, California, Delaware, New York, Colorado, Rhode Island and Washington require universal background checks for all sales as well as the transfers of firearms. Other states have varying laws on expansion beyond what federal law requires one state would be Oregon, which requires a background check for purchases at gun shows.
“According to Everytown for Gun Safety research, in the states that go beyond federal law there are 48 percent fewer suicides committed with guns, there are 48 percent fewer law enforcement officers killed with guns and 46 percent fewer women shot and killed by intimate partners.”
Everytown for Gun safety also looked into the high prices that were paid by Nevada taxpayers for gun violence. Research found that hospital bills for gunshot wounds paid by the public insurers such as Medicare and Medicaid costs taxpayers more than $13.3 million in an average year – now that’s a whole lot.
But, gun rights activists have something completely different to say. They speak about how expanded background checks will only serve to inconvenience the law-abiding citizens. And at worst, the law could potentially lead to criminalizing the many common habits of tons of gun owners all over!
Which side are you on?