Chicago has hit a milestone last week, with the famous city recording it's 400th murder for the year. Homicides have raised up to 25% over the last year. Chicago has now surpassed both New York and Los Angeles for gun-related violence, most of this violence involving youth. Since 2001, Chicago has recorded more than 5,000 gun-related deaths; compare this to the 2,000 American military deaths in the war in Afghanistan.. This is a really scary fact.
So how are all of these people, especially the younger ones, obtaining these guns? A lot of them, 40%, of them are getting it through the secondary market- gun brokers, gangs, and other informal traders.A lot of men who own guns, especially in the inner city, shows a sign of honor and makes them seem more masculine.
Chicago has made many efforts to try and have people turn in guns. One way was when the police finally started targeting the secondary market, they started to let the public turn in guns to them with no questions asked. For example, in June, they had an annual gun "buyback" program where 5,500 guns were turned in (most of them replicas and BB guns). For every real gun turned in, a $100 gift card was given to the person. Although, there wasn't a significant drop in crimes rates, it was a way for the police to show they are trying to protect their city and handle taking the guns in a nicer manner.
Another problem though is that 40% of all criminals are getting guns in Chicago, and all over, from friends or family members. This is a serious problem. I think we should start getting people more aware of this. Sure, we can't take guns from the family members or friends; but we should try to advocate this message by telling people to not give their guns to others, no matter how close they are to them. They should spread the word like they do with texting and driving, or driving drunk- they should help get the message out by convincing friends and family members to not give away their armed guns. This would make people more aware of the situation.
Reading this article really opened my eyes. I mean, 5,000 gun-related deaths just in Chicago alone compared to the 2,000 American military deaths in the war?! That's absolutely crazy! And family members and friends are giving other people their guns, like why?! This article brought a lot to my attention, and I'm really glad I came across it and read it. I think you guys should really read it- it's very informative! All in all, let's just say I will never live in Chicago, ever.
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Wow... I just read this and it was jaw dropping. I cannot believe all of those deaths. It is crazy how people are getting guns so easily. The world is so unsafe to me, people are being more and more deviant and its becoming normal to some. This deviant behavior is ridiculous this should not be OKAY. The violence really has to stop. What are the next generations going to be brought up into? I'm not saying there should be no violence at all, because that would be utopia, but I think that these killings are way too high. We do need some crimes (as bad as they are) because we need to learn and know that they are bad in order to know what is good. I think that guns should not be so accessible and only for people that have a particular license to have a gun with an authoritative figure such as an FBI agent or a member of the CIA. Guns should not be so out in the open and there should be special procedures in order to own one. As these children are becoming teens they need to be taught not to be violent and that violence is wrong before they emerge into adulthood.
ReplyDeleteWow. I was so surprised when I read your post and article! The fact that that many gun related deaths happen in the US alone, much less in a single city is shocking. I wonder if the people who live in the city are accustomed to the idea of shootings and don't see the high death rate as such a shocking statistic. Because they are in such a violent environment they probably are numb to the fact that it is such a big problem.
ReplyDeleteAllie I completely agree with you in a sense that people should definitely have to do something to prove they can own a gun! If only an FBI or a member of the CIA had a gun, I think that would be a huge issue with Americans because it goes against the Amendment where we have the right to bear arms. Also, because people want guns in their homes for defense. But then again, this problem comes up where people are using guns carelessly and senselessly. So, there needs to be a fine line made; and I think citizens who want a gun should take a required course or do something for them to be able to have a gun.
ReplyDeleteOlivia I agree with you! I think that maybe the citizens of Chicago who are participating in these crimes don't really see how bad of a crime it actually is. I also don't think they don't see the rates as that bad either, which is pretty sad! I hope Chicago figures out a way to decrease the immensely high crime rate!
Thanks for your input!