Should gun control laws be tightened in the US?

23 Jul 2012
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Twelve people were killed when a a gunman clad in body armor and a gas mask burst into the packed premiere of the new Batman film

Twelve people were killed when a a gunman clad in body armor and a gas mask burst into the packed premiere of the new Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises" in a Denver, and opened fire shortly after midnight. (AP)

The Aurora cinema massacre joins the litany of horrific US shooting incidents that include Columbine High School (13 killed in 1999), Virginia Tech (32 killed in 2007), and last year's shooting in Tucson, Arizona that killed six people and left congresswoman Gabby Giffords fighting for her life.

Gun control advocates believe America is more prone to mass shootings than other countries because it has lax gun laws in many states, saying it would make sense to ban assault weapons and large capacity magazines, and strengthen laws to make sure more red flags show up when certain people try to purchase weapons. What do you think?

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single shot only

Michael - from rosebud, 5 months ago

The U.S. constitution refers to the right to bear arms. When this right within the context of the U.S. constitution was included in the constitution the most powerful gun a person had access to was a single shot smooth bore musket. I doubt that this law would have been passed given the mass of high powered guns that we have today. Why not limit guns to just single shot guns and exclude repeating and automatic weapons within the constitution. Prohibition will not work as was proven with alcohol.

Master

Jonathan - from Australia, 5 months ago

The question be about restricting gun laws in America, but what changes should be made, new or existing, to make sure the lunatics and mental unstable don't get there hands on them in the first place, because remember, gun's aren't the murderer, they're just tools, it's the person using them are.

Why are we talking about issues in another country

Al - from Bondi, 7 months ago

I´m so sick tierd of hearing about US no one in OZ cares about what happens there unless someone is about to go there and that´s not even going to cover 0.5 percent of population so why are we spending so much time talking about isssues that have no meaning in Australia. Lets focus on Australia we have plenty to talk about and cover. SBS stop shaving America down our throats we don´t care.

Less red flags

Clavdivs - from Sydney, 8 months ago

How about tightening in the Middle East instead? Yes it's another stupid question. Why should we be invited change laws in another country? As for gun laws - the adage "when seconds count the police are only minutes away" should be remembered. Hey! lets ask China to liberalise gun laws there! Imagine if every Chinese in China had a gun - I wonder how long that one party State - capitalism with Chinese characteristics would last? Could be lots of "triggers" for an election?

One just canot ban guns alone!

Walter Christy - from Shearwater, Devonport, 8 months ago

One has to reduce the amount of guns in society that only can only be held by licenced professional hunters, or held at registered approved gun clubs. One can still enjoy shotting guns but only at gun clubs. Guns are only the tip of the problem as we educate children from young with violence and brutality with many forms of media and these needs to change. Extreme violence of many forms needs to be tamed especially by the film, games producers always action is a big fund raiser and until we tame them they will continue to produce violence that brain washes one. Or is they a way to limit how much one can view day to day. I like action and a whole range but do not like to see ones minds twisted by the violence shown. I am sure we have also educated terrorists with ideas of how to commit terrorism, from bomb making to how to kill many people in many ways with what we have shown.

the bad man will always have the gun, it's your basic right to defend your family!

wayne renalds - from bribane, 9 months ago

If youve ever watched the tv series COPS you would quickly appreciate that you are allowed to defend yourself with a firearm, especially where home invasions are concerned. Seeing all the crime in the US is scary, but dont let that make you complacent about your own country. www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_tot_cri_vic-crime-total-victims Gun laws in australia are utterly ridiculous, I pity, any law abiding citizen, who have had their right to defend themselves or their famliy taken away.

Trigger happy

James - from Rockdale, 9 months ago

It's alright for Americans to invade another country and shoot anything that moves, but when it happens on their own turf it's suddenly a tragedy. Swinging guns is culturally embedded, just like binge drinking is in Australia.

No, Just compare the gun crimes with Car Accidents in USA

John - from Sydney, 9 months ago

There should be more psycho control. Controlling the Guns and not controlling the mentally sick people will cause bigger hidden problems.

enlightened

roy harvey - from brisbane, 10 months ago

Australia brought in gun control and since it did we now have more and more drive by shootings and murders by gun than ever before Because the criminal knows he has less chance of being shot or injured while committing a crime. and now laughs at the law and the public GUN CONTROL DOES NOTHING except give the criminal the advantage If someone wants to go on a killing spree they will find the weapons no matter what. GUN CONTROL OR NO GUN CONTROL,

Americans are Addicted to their "rights".

Juston Spradling - from Leitchfield, America, 10 months ago

Also, the argument that any illegal weaponry would go "underground" is a very invalid argument. In America, you can walk into MANY stores and buy weapons. you can buy even crazier guns online! Even if these guns were still in circulation "underground", imagine how much more difficult it would be to acquire them! Getting illegal drugs? Easy. Somehow getting illegal guns? Much more dangerous and difficult. Not to mention it'd be easier to know who is legally carrying the gun; no one.

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