Universal background checks are an essential part of gun control. They keep guns out of the hands of criminals and individuals with prior criminal background, domestic abusers, and people with mental illness. Universal background checks must be performed on all gun sales. It is not necessary to keep guns away from everyone, just those who would misuse them. Universal background checks are good because a good amount of criminals already have a criminal record that’s recorded in the system. There is one study in the state of Illinois that says, seventy-one percent of those convicted of homicide had a previous arrest, and forty-two percent had a felony prior to their conviction. Domestic violence assaults involving a firearm are twelve times …show more content…
In the Virginia Tech Shootings, the shooter was diagnosed with depression in the 8th grade, as well as anxiety, and selective mutism. Throughout his childhood he went through therapy. A person undergoing depression and an anxiety disorder should not be in possession of a gun. With universal background checks, many lives could’ve been saved. The sandy hook shooting is another example. The shooter, Adam Lanza, was diagnosed with sensory-integration disorder in elementary school. When he was thirteen he was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Adam also had an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Lanza also suffered from anorexia. It was obvious that Lanza was a troubled child and needed medical help. A universal background check would’ve prevented him from obtaining a gun, but once again, I doubt he purchased the weapon legally. In conclusion, universal background checks must be performed on all gun sales. Everyday news reporters are talking about how someone is dying or how someone else is shot, and this due to the fact that universal background checks are not a major priority and it is not enforced. Children are dying and people are killing themselves. With universal background checks, guns wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands and there would be less homicides and suicides. You sometimes sit and ask yourself how our country would be without all the guns and