Gun control is a very controversial issue in cities across the United States with the prevalence of mass shootings. The issue has moved to Washington, DC as well, not in the form of mass shootings, rather an enormous spike in gun-related homicides. Countries around the world, such as Australia and Japan, have seen success with gun reform, but they lack the similar social tension of DC. Traditional gun control would not work in DC because of the political stalemate and gridlock which prevents the passing of many laws; instead, DC needs to focus on education and exposure to other cultures at a young age in order to decrease tension and conflict to create unity.
Washington, DC has been the unfortunate victim of increased gun violence. There has been a 37% homicide increase so far compared to last year. While there has been a sharp increase in murder, there has conversely been a 2% decrease in total crime (District). This surge in gun-related violence has created a public outcry for safety and encouraged citizens to lobby for greater control. Opponents claim that the issue lies with the people who are using the guns, not the guns themselves.
Australia and Japan both boast success in their policies and posit that their stricter gun control has a direct correlation to lowered homicide rates. Australia’s legislation was a response to the country’s worst massacre to date, in 1996, when 35 people were murdered. Australia banned semi-automatic rifles and shotguns as well as making prospective owners need a “genuine reason” to apply for a permit, complete intense background checks and complete a 28-day waiting period. Australia additionally hosted a mandatory gun buyback program where they claimed over 600,000 guns (Boghani). Since these laws were established, Australia has seen immense drops in gun-related homicides as well as only one massacre. In the first seven years following the new laws, there was a 42% drop in gun-related homicides and a 57% drop in suicides by guns (Beauchamp). In Japan, along with their own ban on handguns, one must also pass background checks, drugs tests, mental health checks, pass a gun safety course, written exam, and shooting exam to receive a gun license. Gun licenses also expires every three years. Ammo and firearms must be kept and locked in separate locations disclosed to the police. Finally, police inspect each firearm once a year (Masters). Unsurprisingly, there were a total of only six gun-related deaths in 2014 and the lowest homicide rate in the world (Low). Japan and Australia are able to do this is because these two countries have a far more unified public belief—there is widespread support of such policies. With a different social situation in the US, the effectiveness of such policies would alter greatly.
Although Washington, DC has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, the heterozygous demographic has led to many failures. DC has seen recent rises in gun-related homicides despite having 10-round capacity magazine limits, long waiting periods, heavy restrictions on open carry, mandatory background checks, online training and the prohibition of certain guns (Firearm). The issue is not one of laws, but a social atmosphere which is far different from that of Australia and Japan. Similarly, London has exceedingly strict gun laws, far more severe than Washington, DC. As a result, London has been able to decrease gun-related crimes but has seen huge increases in other violent crimes. There was a 20% increase in rapes in London compared to last year (Dearden), a 15% increase in homicides, and over a 22% increase in total knife crimes (Weaver). Even if the District of Columbia was to continue to increase the severity of gun laws to that of Australia, London or Japan, the District would see a similar occurrence to that of in London because of the diversity and contentious atmosphere. This diversity in views is exemplified within Congress and the House of Representatives through constant standoffs.
With their strict gun laws, Australia is able to keep other violent crimes (i.e. knife crimes, rapes, etc.) extremely low because it has the decisive support of the public. Contrarily, DC avowals an incredible number of factions and differing views; while DC prides itself on diversity and a broad base of opinions, it is simultaneously the bane of its existence. For good or for bad, differing beliefs can obstruct growth. Within the US government in Washington, DC, filibustering is a prime example. Senator Thurmond filibustered for over 24 hours against the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Gridlock has prevented countless laws from passing altogether. In fact, the Washington Post quantified this saying that “Congressional deadlock on a given issue has roughly doubled in the past 65 years. In the 80th Congress (1947-1948), fewer than 30 percent of significant issues were left unlegislated” compared to 71 percent of major issues unlegislated” in “the 112th Congress (2011-2012)” (Ingraham). This shows a steep increase in level of standoffs within government and exemplifies the level of different views and reluctance to compromise or negotiate. When dealing with an unbelievably contentious issue such as gun control, the level of political stalemate is amplified because it concerns amending one of the original Amendments. Many citizens feel that their rights are being restricted by a corrupt, power hungry government. The likeliness of gun laws in DC, stricter than those already in place, passing is extremely unlikely. There needs to be social reform before DC attempts to tackle the gun debate.
These social reforms must begin with education and exposure to other cultures. Governing bodies, in and around DC, could increase inter-school activities to have schools from different regions work together on various academic and extracurricular projects. For example, many schools in the surrounding area can combine for an after-school art program to increase interaction among different ethnicities. The key is to start such programs at a young age so that students grow up with a different mindset when approaching divisions. This would ease tensions throughout the country and create more unity. The programs do not solely have to be based with in the immediate DC area or even within the US alone; international programs can also teach students lessons that they can bring home and apply within their own lives. Many such programs are already in existence but need to increase in numbers and availability to students of all income levels. Such programs include trips abroad to increase cultural exposure, pen pal programs, and exchange student programs. Even taking use of “modern means of communication such as social networks and video conferencing can ensure that… students experience foreign cultures with unprecedented ease” (Picardo). There are many ways for DC to teach unity and prevent division that are cost effective, it just takes a unified movement from District of Columbia Public Schools in coordination with surrounding public and private schools.
While there has been evidence that standard gun control has sharply decreased the mass shootings and overall homicide rates in other countries, it would not work in the DC area because of the current social situation and level of deadlock. Through increased education and awareness, DC needs to make a coordinated effort to begin the process of reducing tension and increasing cultural exposure. Only then will there actually be a significant decrease in the hostility of the social atmosphere and a place that can function without violence and conflict.