Tighter gun laws will help reduce violence in low-income communities

Tighter gun laws in isolation will not assist in reducing gun violence in low-income communities. There is a significant racial disparity in gun violence. For example, in 2018, 288 of 309 victims of gun crime were African American in Baltimore, yet the focus seems to be on white, middle class, suburban teenagers. Racism against minority communities exists as evident in the Baltimore Police Department after the death of Freddie Gray. Communities are suspicious of the police, and in return, as more police officers are killed in states where there are more guns, the reaction from the police is to use their firearms quickly. Long term solutions cannot merely focus on legislative measures, but in putting the spotlight on low-income communities, where there is racial disparity in gun use. Efforts need to be made to reduce the lack of trust that these communities have with the police. Investments need to be made to provide those impressionable members within these communities with alternatives to resorting to street-level violence such as illegal drug trade. There needs to be better access to psychological health services for those affected by gun violence, as younger members affected by it in their communities are likely to develop more aggressive behaviours.^[4]