Kenneth Jost’s article on gun control discusses the tragic Virginia Tech incident, as well as other gun-related instances. Precautions that should be considered in hopes of preventing other unfortunate incidents are also found throughout the article. It explains how the Virgin Tech shooting could have been avoided if shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, was unable to purchase the gun if his record of mental illness had been fed into the federal background check system. Jost also disputes the opinions of many gun advocates that want to ease weapon laws (Jost). “One hundred percent safety is a fallacy for all of us – not just colleges and universities, but for general society” (Jost). Although everyone is subject to danger of some kind, the United States has experienced a large number killings and injuries due to gun violence. Sadly, gun violence claims about 30,000 lives a year. A number of precautionary procedures should be set in place to help combat gun violence, but Congress has failed to act. Felons, terrorists, domestic abusers, and the extremely violent mentally ill remain to have easy access to firearms and ammunition due to weak gun laws (States United to Prevent Gun Violence). Stronger measures needed to protect society against gun violence are intensive screening and background checks, synchronized licensing and registration systems in all states and territories, and elimination of the trafficking of illegal guns.
Society and families are safer when negligent gun sales and use are reduced. Intensive background checks can save lives by keeping guns from falling into the wrong hands. Background checks should be mandatory for both licensed dealers and private sales. Nathan Clark, a 13 year old, was killed due to the accidental discharge of a 42-year-old man’s gun. The man, who is a habitual felon with 28 prior convictions, was arrested for involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. North Carolina allows for the private sale of guns without a background check (Ohh Shoot). However, if the man tried to buy the gun from a licensed dealer or private sales required background checks, then his purchase would have been denied due his record being turned up by a background check which would have prevented the fatal death of a young boy.
Corporate gun advocates has decided to oppose laws in states or at the federal level that will stop felons, domestic abusers, dangerously mentally ill people, and other prohibited people from getting guns (Parker). There is no valid reason for the United States not to have a law that can save the lives of Americans equally spread throughout its states and territories. Strong gun laws in one state, but weaker ones in another helps fuel our share of gun violence. It allows a person barred from owning guns in one state to be able to acquire them in another and that should be no more. All states and territories should have the same licensing and registration process that considers not only the applicant's age and criminal convictions, but also their living circumstances, mental and physical health, restraining orders or other encounters with the law, type of gun desired and for what purpose, safety training, storage arrangements, and the public interest (Peters). Licenses should also be renewed every year and be cancelled or suspended if the bearer no longer meets the standard requirements; Bearers whose guns could be accessible to another household member whose own circumstances does not meet the requirements should also disqualify them from obtaining a license.
Every gun starts out as a legally manufactured product, but corrupt federally licensed gun dealers, straw purchasing, and gun shows and private gun sales flood our streets with illegal guns. "Gun-trafficking rings fuel the epidemic of gun violence that is killing children and families across the United States" (Burkett). Approximately 12,000 annual gun murders and 66,000 non-fatal shootings are committed by people who have no legal right to a gun (National Gun Victims Action Control). Preventing criminals from illegally shipping dangerous weapons into our communities is literally a matter of life or death. Unfortunately, law enforcement can only go after gun traffickers for what are essentially paperwork violations. Such offenses, primarily being “engaged in the business” of selling firearms without a license and engaging in a straw purchase of a firearm, are very difficult to prove and prosecute, and lead to minor sentences (Americans for Responsible Decisions). It is imperative that stricter laws for gun trafficking be implemented.
Time after time, you read or hear about individuals being gunned down at schools, movie theaters, in their homes, or even on the street. On an average day in the United States, guns are used to kill more than 80 people, injure almost 300 more, and commit approximately 3,000 crimes (National Gun Victims Action Control). The effect of gun violence is a like a whirlpool. It keeps spinning and moving outward and disturbs many in its circle of grief (Common Gunsense). It is important that stronger measures are took to make guns less available. It is time to take a stand and do what it takes to prevent acts of gun violence.

Works Cited
Americans for Responsible Decisions. n.d. Web. 10 December 2014.
Burkett, N.J. EyeWitness News. 24 November 2014. Web. December 10 2014.
Common Gunsense. 24 November 2014. Web. 10 December 2014.
Jost, Kenneth. "Gun Violence." CQ Researcher (2007): 459-465. Document.
National Gun Victims Action Control. n.d. Web. 10 December 2014.
Ohh Shoot. 19 November 2014. Web. 10 December 2014.
Paker, Clifton B. Standford News. 14 November 2014. Web. 10 December 2014.
Peters, Rebecca. The Guardian. 14 December 2013. Web. 10 December 2014.
States United to Prevent Gun Violence. n.d. Web. 10 December 2014.