s power can only go so far when restricting the sale and manufacture of handguns. The state of California enforces a fifteen day waiting period before an individual is able to purchase a handgun. The federal government enforces the Brady Bill. In the early eighties, a man named John Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. A stray bullet struck former Senator James Brady in the head, causing severe paralysis. Hinckley had bought the gun in a Texas pawnshop prior to the shooting. Outrage filled America at the ease that Hinckley purchased the gun. A bill was proposed that would require a complete background check on anybody who desired to buy a handgun. The bill, appropriately named after Brady, was created to stop the public from buying guns in the heat of passion. Often times, a traumatic event will occur and in the heat of the moment, a person will purchase a gun to either kill themselves or others that they are angry at. The Brady Bill, which requires a seven day waiting period and a check for prior criminal activity, allows a person to calm their temper before irrational behavior causes them to injure someone else (Davidson 260). The Brady Bill is a major step in reducing the number of murders in American, but it isnt perfect. Most guns involved in crime are either bought on the street, are stolen, or are already in a residence. In the case of John Hinckley, the assassination attempt was well planned, and he had no prior criminal record. Even if the Brady Bill was in effect, Hinckley would not have been stopped. "A stricter law can have an effect on gun crime. In two years after an introduction of a waitng period in Massachusetts, gun homicide went down in Boston by 55.7% (MacGillis 160).There are many factors that gun control laws cannot prevent. I spoke with Allen Baker, a student at UNCW whose best friend was killed by a shotgun in December of 1996. The gun that was used in the incident was owned none other b...
