cybersecdn– The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence has published a scorecard that grades states on their gun laws. The scorecard reveals that most US states get a failing grade on gun laws, with Texas being one of them 1. The group advocates for stricter gun laws as a way to save lives. The key point is that more permissive gun laws equal more gun deaths in US states 1. Of the 10 states with the highest proportion of gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, all got failing grades – an F – from Giffords, except New Mexico, which got a C+ 1.
In response to the article, it is important to note that gun violence presents a significant challenge in Texas, with approximately half of its residents owning a firearm and where a person is killed with a gun every two hours 2. High levels of gun ownership coupled with Texas’ high rate of gun violence create a danger to public health 2. According to Rand Corp., an average of 46 percent of Texas residents owned a firearm from 1980 to 2016.
However, this percentage likely increased after 2020, when the country saw a surge in gun sales associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, estimates suggest that 32 percent of U.S. adults owned a firearm by the end of 2020 2. Texas is also home to numerous federal firearm licensed (FFL) dealers 2. Information from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) indicates that as of January 2022, the state had almost 10 percent—5,089—of all FFL dealers in the country. Studies also report that thousands of gun shows are organized in Texas every year 2.
While intransigent elected officials in Texas impede action at the state level, city and county officials can take meaningful steps to prevent gun violence that does not require legislative action 3. For example, they can invest in community-based violence intervention programs, which have been shown to reduce gun violence in other cities.
They can also adopt policies that require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms, which can help prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands 3. Additionally, they can work to improve data collection and analysis on gun violence, which can help identify trends and inform policy decisions.
In conclusion, Texas has received a failing grade for gun safety measures, and gun violence presents a significant challenge in the state. While intransigent elected officials in Texas impede action at the state level, city and county officials can take meaningful steps to prevent gun violence that does not require legislative action. It is important to invest in community-based violence intervention programs, adopt policies that require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms, and work to improve data collection and analysis on gun violence.
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