Carrying of firearms openly was either prohibited or regulated strongly by states. However, the past three decades have seen state laws governing the practice change drastically. Some have even gone ahead to weaken the regulations. Although a permit is required for concealed carry in public space, there exists close to no law restricting open carry. Daily conflicts may turn into gruesome scenes with the presence of guns in public life. Federal law does not address the carrying of firearms in public since it only governs the use of its property. Is it not ironical then that toy guns and air guns are restricted and not real/operable firearms?
Below are possible ways we believe are useful in preventing open carry and can eventually lead to defeating the vice in the US.
- Making Gun Purchase Rigorous
If we buy the idea that was used to combat auto accidents in the prevention of open carry, then we stand a chance to defeat its practice. Legislators can pass laws that make acquiring a firearm rigorous and effective. In the US only seven states require a permit to have one carry a gun openly in public, what do the others do?
It is easier to acquire a gun in America-this is a point of strength which if well used can bear fruits and have injuries and deaths resulting from firearms reduce. Increase the eligible age to have a gun from 18 years to 21 years. To the age limit add that one should have a license showing they have training on the use of firearms. This would help a lot in reducing the number of guns with civilians.
- Smart Guns
Nowadays almost every gadget that is private has some lock requiring biometric identification. This could be applied to guns too. Requiring a permit for one to use a weapon is not enough. Most deaths from gun shooting are unintentional. Requiring biometric identification will surely not reduce the number of mass shootings but will reduce suicides and homicides. Also, biometric identification will lead to authorities easily finding whose gun was used to do what.
- Gun Violence Restraining Order
Laws are respected and in particular when they address a significant problem, in a civilized society. A bill that requires regular checking of all those who sell private guns locally would help curb the menace of open carry. It would also assist in understanding the age interested more in possessing firearms. Checking will also mean that the sellers will have an updated list of those who have bought guns from their stores. This will reduce the number of family-related deaths resulting from firearms.
Gun restraining orders would solve the issue. This regulation would limit the number of guns a dealer sells in a day, a week, one month or even a year. Another interesting side of this order is fixing a limit on the number of gun violence whose surpassing will lead to all guns being confiscated by the state.
- End Immunity of Gun Manufacturers
Gun manufacturers, as well as sellers, are legally protected from crimes leveled against them by civilians who are in most cases victims of gun violence.
Increased gun crimes, suicides, and homicides mean that they have not put into place measures to reduce misuse of guns. If we held them liable for increased mass shooting and various crimes involving their products, they would have the incentive to make use guns safer and restrict the number of weapons out there in shaky hands.
According to open carry advocates, criminals rarely carry firearms openly. It is true, but again it is the innocent civilians who suffer. Most of the citizens who practice open carry do it to protect themselves from invasions. However, people in congested public places feel insecure with a loaded firearm within the vicinity.