On October 8th 2023, less than a mile away from CHS, a deadly shooting took place. This isn’t the first or the last shooting in Centennial, according to the City of Gresham Oregon website there have been 528 crimes involving a gun in Gresham, Oregon since January 1st of 2021. High gun violence rates are not exclusive to Gresham, Oregon. The gun homicide rate in the United States is 26 times higher than other developed countries. And yet, efforts to pass gun control laws in the US in recent years have been futile. The United States should pass gun control laws to decrease rates of gun violence.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Oregon does not rank in the top 10 states with the highest gun violence rates, nor does it rank in the top 10 states with the least amount of gun violence. So, looking at the big picture, the gun violence in Oregon isn’t anything exceptional. However, the gun death rate in Oregon (14.9 per 100,000) is high in comparison to other developed nations such as Australia who’s gun death rate is 0.88 per 100,000. So, what sets apart Australia and the US?
After a shooting in 1996, Australia tightened their gun control measures significantly which led to a decrease in firearm deaths by nearly 50%. Australia’s new policies classified firearms as a privilege not a right, meaning that gun owners or people intending on purchasing a gun in Australia must provide a valid reason. There are also several steps to complete before purchasing a gun such as passing a firearm safety course/written test/physical assessment, arrange firearm storage that meets safety protocols, pass a background check, file an application, and wait 28 days.
In comparison, since the year 2000, gun deaths in the US have increased by 70%. Gun control laws in the US vary heavily from state to state, but at a federal level the only requirement is passing a basic background check. Because of this, the quantity of guns in the US is extremely large. The US holds around 46% of the world’s civilian guns, and there are more guns in the US than there are people. According to a PEW survey around a third of adults in the US believe that higher quantities of guns would decrease crime rates. However, according to a Harvard University study, higher quantities of guns put people in higher risk of firearm injury.
Overall, the death caused by firearms in the US is extremely high compared to any other developed nation. Implementing stronger gun control policies could save countless lives, including lives in our own community. The responsibility to pass such laws falls fully on the shoulders of politicians. There is little that individuals can do to influence the decisions of politicians. But, one thing ordinary Gresham citizens can influence is who represents them. In federal or local elections voting for a candidate that values gun control policies is a good way to express your opinions.
