Gun Control (Pt 2) continues the exploration of gun regulations and solutions to reduce shooting deaths. The podcast features guests including Bob Kostaras, a gun shop owner, former ATF special agent Mark Jones, Prof. Philip Alpers, and Prof. Peter Squires. Topics discussed include background checks, gun registration, the impact of gun laws in Australia, and cultural differences in attitudes towards gun ownership.
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Quick takeaways
Better background checks can help reduce gun deaths, but they may not have a significant impact because many criminals acquire guns from sources that don't require background checks.
Comprehensive national laws, including measures like gun registration and licensing, have been found to be more impactful in reducing gun deaths.
Deep dives
Background checks and gun violence
Better background checks can help reduce gun deaths, but they may not have a significant impact because many criminals acquire guns from sources that don't require background checks. Additionally, some individuals who would pass a background check may later use a gun for criminal purposes. While better record-keeping could be beneficial, it would not lead to a complete elimination of gun violence.
Buying guns back
Small-scale buyback programs have not been shown to be effective in reducing gun homicides. Even larger-scale buybacks, like the one in Australia, may not be the key to success. Comprehensive national laws, including measures like gun registration and licensing, have been found to be more impactful in reducing gun deaths.
Registration and licensing of guns
Countries with stringent gun laws, such as Australia and the UK, have successfully implemented registration and licensing of guns. These laws, along with other measures, have led to a significant reduction in gun homicides and suicides. While the exact impact of these laws is difficult to determine, the combination of comprehensive regulations appears to be effective in reducing gun deaths.
Considerations of culture and country
Culture and country play important roles in gun control. Attitudes towards guns and self-defense can vary, and the success of gun regulations may depend on societal perceptions. In countries like Australia, where gun ownership is not seen as essential for self-defense, comprehensive gun laws have been successful. However, the cultural and societal factors surrounding guns differ across countries, making the implementation and effectiveness of gun control strategies vary as well.
In last week’s episode, we learned that around 30,000 Americans die each year from guns. This week, we examine possible solutions. Do better background checks, buybacks, and gun registration lead to fewer shooting deaths? What happened in Australia after they got rid of all the guns? To find out, we talk to gun shop owner Bob Kostaras, former ATF special agent Mark Jones, Prof. Philip Alpers, and Prof. Peter Squires.
Credits:
This episode has been produced by Wendy Zukerman, Heather Rogers, Caitlin Kenney, Austin Mitchell, and Kaitlyn Sawrey. Editing by Annie Rose Strasser and Alex Blumberg. Production Assistance by Diane Wu, and Shruti Ravindran. Fact checking by Michelle Harris. Sound design and music production by Matthew Boll, mixing by Martin Peralta and Haley Shaw. Music written by Bobby Lord.