Compare And Contrast The Church Shooting That Occurred On Ju

Compare And Contrast The Church Shooting That Occurred On June 17 201

Compare and contrast the church shooting that occurred on June 17, 2015, in Charleston, South Carolina, with the shooting that occurred on December 29, 2019, in White Settlement, Texas. Your discussion should include: the right-to-carry and/or concealed firearm laws in both locations, and how restrictions or allowances may have influenced each outcome. The paper should be 4-5 pages long, single-spaced, with Verdana 12 font, and one-inch margins on all sides. Use multiple credible sources, including peer-reviewed articles, reputable news outlets, and authoritative publications, to support your analysis with appropriate citations.

Paper For Above instruction

The tragic shootings at religious institutions in the United States represent some of the most devastating incidents of gun violence, raising critical questions about firearm regulation, societal responses, and the influence of gun laws on the outcomes of such events. The mass shooting at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015, and the shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, on December 29, 2019, serve as pivotal cases illustrating how regional firearm legislation can impact the occurrence and aftermath of firearm-related violence. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of these two incidents, emphasizing the legal context relating to right-to-carry and concealed firearm laws, and how these legal frameworks may have shaped physical and psychological outcomes during the events.

The Charleston church shooting exemplifies a tragic culmination of racial hatred and gun violence. Dylann Roof, a white supremacist, entered the historic African-American church armed with a firearm and opened fire during a prayer service, killing nine congregants. This incident highlighted significant questions regarding gun control laws and access, as Roof reportedly obtained his firearm legally, despite a criminal record, under South Carolina’s less restrictive gun laws (Brady Campaign, 2016). South Carolina’s firearm laws permit individuals to carry concealed weapons with a permit, but the state’s background check process has been criticized for loopholes that could allow individuals with troubling histories to access guns (Giffords Law Center, 2020). These legislative gaps arguably facilitated Roof’s possession of a firearm, although it’s unclear if stricter laws would have prevented him from acquiring a weapon.

In contrast, the White Settlement church shooting occurred during a Sunday service when a concealed carrier, Rev. Jack Wilson, an armed member of the congregation, intervened and shot the attacker, killing him. Texas’s firearm laws are generally permissive, particularly concerning concealed carry. Texas began allowing permitless concealed carry in 2021, but at the time of the incident, individuals could carry concealed weapons with a license, and open carry was also permitted with a license starting in 2016 (Texas Department of Public Safety, 2019). These laws aimed to empower law-abiding citizens to carry firearms, which, according to some studies, can act as a deterrent to gun attacks or participation in shootings (Lott, 2016). The presence of an armed civilian at the White Settlement event arguably altered the outcome, preventing further casualties and demonstrating the potential effect of permissive concealed carry laws on active shooter incidents.

The contrasting outcomes of these incidents underscore the influence of regional firearm legislation on gun violence and its management. In South Carolina, the legal environment arguably facilitated easier access to firearms, contributing to Roof’s ability to perpetrate his attack in a church setting, an emotionally and symbolically significant space. Conversely, in Texas, the legal allowance for armed citizens possibly contributed to the quick response and neutralization of the attacker in White Settlement. However, it is vital to recognize that these laws alone do not determine outcomes; societal factors, emergency response, mental health issues, and community attitudes toward firearms play substantial roles.

Research suggests that states with more permissive gun laws tend to experience higher firearm-related homicide and suicide rates (Levine & Loftin, 2019). Permissive laws, including broad concealed carry permissions and weaker background check systems, may enable dangerous individuals to access firearms more easily (Kalesan et al., 2016). Conversely, states with stricter firearm regulations tend to have lower rates of gun violence. The Charleston shooting underscores the importance of tightening gun background checks and reducing access to firearms for individuals with a criminal or mentally ill history, aligning with recent federal proposals aimed at closing such loopholes (Gun Control Act, 1968; Bipartisan Background Checks Act, 2021).

Furthermore, the presence of armed civilians in gun violence incidents remains a debated issue. Proponents argue that firearm ownership and carry laws empower citizens to protect themselves and others, as seen in Texas, where armed intervention likely prevented greater loss of life (Lott & Moody, 2015). Critics, however, contend that more guns increase the risk of accidental shootings, escalation, or misuse, especially in emotionally charged situations like mass shootings (Hemenway, 2017). The White Settlement incident lends support to the argument that lawful concealed carry can mitigate casualties, but the overall efficacy depends on training, situational awareness, and legal restrictions.

Moreover, the societal context of these shootings influences policy and public perceptions. The Charleston massacre prompted national debates on gun control, racial violence, and the social conditions enabling such tragedies. The incident emphasized the need for comprehensive firearm background checks and restrictions on semi-automatic rifles (Gould & Janik, 2018). Conversely, the White Settlement incident reinforced arguments advocating for armed citizenry and the cultural valorization of gun ownership, impacting state policies towards permitless carry and armed protection in public spaces.

In conclusion, the Charleston and White Settlement shootings exemplify two different dynamics influenced by regional firearm laws. South Carolina’s relatively less restrictive laws possibly facilitated the attack, emphasizing the importance of background checks and gun accessibility controls. Texas’s permissive laws, meanwhile, may have contributed to an effective armed response, reducing casualties. These incidents highlight that firearm legislation intricately shapes the landscape of gun violence, influencing both the occurrence and the resolution of such tragedies. As policies continue to evolve, balancing public safety, individual rights, and societal values remains essential to addressing firearm-related violence comprehensively.

References

  • Brady Campaign. (2016). Gun laws in South Carolina. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. https://www.bradyunited.org
  • Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 8, 117th Cong. (2021). https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8
  • Giffords Law Center. (2020). South Carolina gun laws. https://giffords.org/lawcenter/resources/scorecard
  • Gould, E., & Janik, A. (2018). Gun laws and gun violence in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 108(4), 464-469.
  • Gun Control Act, Pub. L. No. 90–618, 82 Stat. 1213 (1968). https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-82/pdf/STATUTE-82-Pg1213.pdf
  • Hemenway, D. (2017). Private firearm ownership and the risk of firearm injury. Epidemiologic Reviews, 38(1), 32-41.
  • Kalesan, B., Mobily, N., Keiser, O., & Fagan, J. (2016). Firearm legislation and firearm mortality in the USA: A cross-sectional, state-level study. The Lancet, 387(10030), 1993–2000.
  • Levine, D., & Loftin, C. (2019). The impact of gun laws on firearm mortality: A nation-state comparison. Journal of Public Health Policy, 40(2), 180-196.
  • Lott, J. R., & Moody, M. (2015). The impact of concealed carry laws and gun violence: A review of the literature. Journal of Law and Economics, 58(1), 191-215.
  • Texas Department of Public Safety. (2019). Firearms laws in Texas. https://www.dps.texas.gov

    • The comparative analysis of these two significant shooting incidents underscores the complex relationship between firearm legislation and gun violence outcomes. As this examination reveals, laws governing firearm access and carry significantly influence both the occurrence of such tragedies and the responses that can mitigate their aftermath. A nuanced understanding of these legal frameworks can inform future policies aimed at reducing gun violence while respecting individual rights and societal security.

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