One of the most controversial issues over the last two decades in America has been gun control laws. While every state has their own beliefs on what should be done to regulate these laws, there have been several new restrictions that will be put in place in 2024 for a multitude of different states. 

The gun violence prevention advocacy group, “Everytown for Gun Safety” ranked and analyzed the gun protection qualities and regulations  in each state. While states like California, New York, Illinois and Connecticut all possess very strong laws in regards to gun violence, other states like Arkansas, which is ranked last, Florida, Nebraska and North Carolina have loosened their restrictions on guns, and feel that there should be more freedom to the use of firearms. 

States with the lowest rate of gun violence have the strictest laws in place in order to keep people safe. In addition to that, the states with the lowest amount of gun restrictions see a strong correlation between the number of deaths and the weakness of their firearm  laws. 

New gun control measures were enacted on Jan. 1 of the 2024 year, in California, Colorado, Michigan, etc. and this is just the beginning. 

According to a report from USA Today, “A record-breaking 137 gun safety policies were passed in state legislatures in 2023, according to Everytown [for Gun Safety].”

Many individuals suspect that these laws on gun regulation will have an impact on other states, including Virginia, New Mexico and Maine as a result of 18 people dying on Oct. 25 from gun violence. 

While the amount of gun violence in 2023 decreased in 2023, the total number of fatalities has risen from previous years. 

According to USA Today, in just  2023 alone, there were “39 mass shootings in which four or more people were killed, not including the perpetrator, which surpasses the previous year's record of 36.”

Gun control laws can be what saves a person’s life. According to a study done by Everytown for Gun Safety, “if every state had the gun death rates seen in the states with the strongest gun safety laws, nearly 300,000 lives could be saved over the next decade.”

Many individuals feel that these laws are violating their second amendment rights, particularly those who live in southern states. However, there has been a noticeable difference in the amount of deaths in relation to gun restrictions, and those are needed to keep the country safer and more well rounded.