Dear Editor
Apropos of your editorial comment “Save America From Its Guns and Its Wars”, here are my thoughts.
The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence in the United States. Each year, firearms are responsible for the deaths of approximately 40,000 to 50,000 Americans. Despite the urgency of this crisis, the issue of gun control remains highly polarized and politically gridlocked—largely due to the powerful influence of the gun lobby.
The debate over gun control touches on constitutional rights, evolving public policy, and varied interpretations of data. While the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, even the U.S. Supreme Court has acknowledged limits to this right. In the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision, the Court made clear that the right is not absolute and does not prohibit reasonable regulation.
I strongly believe that implementing more robust gun safety regulations is both necessary and effective in saving lives. Evidence supports this: States with stronger gun licensing laws tend to have significantly lower rates of firearm-related deaths, including both suicides and homicides. Research from the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions highlights the effectiveness of policies such as universal background checks, extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), and secure firearm storage requirements.
To address the national scope of the problem, we urgently need federal legislation to close loopholes that allow certain gun sales to occur without background checks. These loopholes make it easier for individuals who are legally prohibited from owning firearms to acquire them, putting lives at risk.
Gun violence is not a partisan issue—it’s a public safety crisis. Thoughtful, evidence-based reform is essential if we are to protect American lives.
(Gobind Munjal)
New York