Year 12 IB Extended Essays 2017

have been suggested to be adopted are frequently blocked (Purtill, 2016). Gun culture nor-

malises guns, as America’s unique affection for guns damages any national co-operation with

gun control, explained by Richard Hofsadter (Hofsadter, 1970),. In conjunction with firearms

in early colonial American history, the American revolution and the modern day uses of

guns, it becomes problematic to defy the mentality embedded in the nation.

However the success of gun control can still be evident within US statistics dependant on the

methods of choice. Acknowledging that gun control is not just about gun banishment is es-

sential. Increased background checks, accessibility and control are less drastic methods that

have been deemed effective. It is logical that stricter laws on firearms would mean less gun

violence and this is backed up by many studies across the US. According to a Lancet study,

“implementing federal universal background checks could reduce firearm deaths by a pro-

jected 56.9%, background checks for ammunition purchases could reduce deaths by a pro-

jected 80.7%; and gun identification requirements could reduce deaths by a projected 82.5%”

(Lancet, 2016). These statistics demonstrate how gun control may be effective. Whether or

not gun control works in Chicago is determined by the corruptness, social issues, and applica-

tion of the control.

Prior Relevant Philosophy At the basis of political philosophy, the ‘Social Contract Theory’, provides a perspective of

human society which can be utilised in the debate of gun laws in America. The theory fa-

mously philosophised by Thomas Hobbes states that to survive not only collectively but indi-

vidually, it must be mutually agreed to set hostilities aside under government safeguard (Fie-

ser, 2008). He believed that the human ‘State of Nature’, was fundamentally evil, thus need-

ing to be controlled. To the majority of theorists if the government fails at protecting citizens