With the debate on Gun Control heating up, here are some Facts about guns you should know.
Last week's Florida school shooting has heated up the debate on gun control and politicians are struggling to come up with ways to protect people from gun violence
The land of the free and the brave has more guns than all other countries. According to a study by the Congress, 48 percent of the worldwide stockpile of guns is in the United States. That translates to about 310 million guns for a population of about 320 million people. The second country on that list is India with 46 million guns for a population of around 1.3 billion people.
Gun accidents and deaths
While The US accounts for only less than 5 percent of the world population 30 percent of worldwide mass shootings are in the US. In 2014, there was about 33.000 gun death from firearm-related incidents This is a huge number, especially compared to India, second biggest stockpile owner, which has about 3,500 incidents only.
Gun ownership loopholes
You can get guns in the US without undergoing a background check. While the law states that all gun owners should undergo background checks, there is a loophole that allows people to own guns without the background check. The background check is undertaken when you are buying from a person who is making profit. However, if you purchase a gun in a gun show or from another person or in online stores, there will be no background checks.
This potentially enables individuals who might not qualify to own a firearm getting hands on guns.
Did you know mentally ill people can acquire guns with no questions asked? The Obama era laws prohibiting sales of guns to mentally ill people was repealed by President Trump. Mentally unstable people can acquire firearms when they feel like so.
It’s not all gloom because people with a history of harassment, stalking or non-citizens aren’t legally allowed to acquire guns. The same applies to tourists and people dishonorably discharged from the military.
Kids with guns
After the tender age of 18, teenagers are allowed to own shotguns and rifles. Handguns are only legal for people over 21 years.
However, in states like Texas, it is not illegal for a person under 21 to own handguns if they are a gift from someone.
Loose gun control
With politicians coming up with ridiculous laws on gun control, like the proposal to have teachers owning guns in the school and almost non-existent checks, more mass shooting will happen and more people are at risk.
