Title: Taking Action Against Gun Violence: It's Time to Fix the Background Check System It's time we faced the reality of gun violence in America. From mass shootings to rampant street crime, guns have become a pervasive problem in our society. But what can be done to address this issue? The answer is clear: we need stricter background checks. Fixing the background check system is an action that can be taken today, but it requires work. The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is supposed to flag individuals who are prohibited from buying firearms from licensed dealers. However, the system is flawed. It relies on incomplete and outdated data, and it fails to account for certain mitigating factors that could disqualify someone from owning firearms. To fix the NICS system, we need to address these issues and take a number of concrete steps. First, we need to provide adequate funding to ensure that the NICS system is regularly updated and maintained. Second, we need to ensure that all relevant records are included in the NICS database, including mental health records, criminal records, and domestic violence restraining orders. Third, we need to expand the criteria for prohibiting individuals from buying firearms to include those with a history of domestic violence or hate crimes. But even with these reforms, background checks will only be effective if they are enforced. To that end, we need to make sure that all gun sales, including those at gun shows and online, are subject to background checks. Loopholes in the law have allowed individuals to buy firearms without being subjected to the rigorous checks that are required by licensed dealers. This needs to change. None of these reforms will completely solve the problem of gun violence, but they will make it more difficult for dangerous individuals to obtain firearms. Now is the time to take action. We cannot afford to wait any longer. By fixing the background check system, we can take a meaningful step toward ending gun violence in America. The article suggests that improving the background check system can address gun violence. However, it will require effort to make it happen.
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