5 Myths About Gun Control, Debunked

In the emotionally charged debates that often surround gun control, myths often gain credibility over data. In a time with increasing political, school, and general gun violence, accurate information surrounding the accuracy of firearms is necessary. Below sums up 5 myths around gun violence, and why they aren't accurate.

Myth 1: "More guns make us safer."

Putting more deadly weapons in the hands of people does the opposite. We've seen the effects of widespread firearm usage in the United States. According to the Centre for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the U.S. recorded 46,728 firearms-related deaths in 2023, an average of one every 11 minutes. Households with a gun face not only higher risks of homicide, but also a higher risk of suicide. Mass gun ownership as a tool of "self-protection" isn't held up in data. For example, in California, those living with guns are twice as likely to die by homicide. Having easy access to a deadly weapon increases the chance for an argument to escalate.

Myth 2: "Criminals don't obey laws, so gun control won't work."

Making it harder for criminals to obtain weapons makes it harder for them to commit a crime. A multi-decade study of U.S. states found that those that had laws requiring universal background checks and permits were associated with a 15.4% reduction in homicide rates and an 18.3% reduction in homicides. In states with more gun-safety legislation, firearm-death rates are lower. Even if some criminals can find ways to avoid laws, they still make a difference at the population level.

Myth 3: "Mass shootings are caused primarily by mental illness."

While this may be true to some level, allowing people with mental illness easy access to weapons through weaker gun safety laws is the root of the problem. While mental illness is a factor in some individual cases, it would not explain the widespread and chronic gun violence. Compared to other nations with equal or higher prevalence of mental health disorders, America has much higher mass shooting and firearm homicide rates. While allocating resources towards mental health is still essential, treating this as the main issue distracts from gun safety policy that is necessary to save lives.

Myth 4: "Universal background checks and other laws won't reduce violence."

Making sure that someone buying a gun doesn't face mental illnesses and/or a history of crime is essential to prevent violence, especially when over 20 percent of gun buyers are buying firearms without a background check. Universal background checks, with a permit-to-purchase requirement, were associated with an 18.3% decrease in homicides. Given that 93% of Americans favor background checks, including 89% of gun owners, the only force stopping policymakers is NRA lobbying.

Myth 5: "Stricter gun laws mean the government is taking away guns."

Policy around gun safety isn't focused on "taking away 2nd amendment rights," simply reducing access for individuals who pose a high risk to society. For example, "red-flag" laws, which are enacted in 21 states + DC, have been shown to prevent suicides and potential shootings for those deemed a threat to themselves or others. In Connecticut, such laws were associated with a 13.7% decrease in firearm suicides. The myth that regulation = confiscation fuels polarisation and blocks bipartisan reform on widely supported measures. No major federal proposal in modern history has sought blanket confiscation. Instead, policies have aimed to ensure that those who have the legal right to own guns can do so safely, and those who pose a risk to society are restricted.