[Insight & Opinion] The Reality of Gun Control in the United States and South Korea

[Asia Economy] On the night of the 13th (local time), a mass shooting occurred at Michigan State University (MSU), where the author is employed, resulting in the deaths of three students and leaving five others in critical condition. Large-scale gun incidents are not new. In 2022, there were as many as 647 cases, and this year has already surpassed 70. Schools are no longer safe zones. In the past, many major gun incidents have occurred from elementary schools to universities. The resulting anxiety not only worsens educational conditions but also leads to economic downturns in the region. Some areas are even neglected in terms of public security and law enforcement. Parts of Detroit fall into this category. It seems the future depicted in the 1987 movie RoboCop has become a reality.

Of course, the majority of Americans want stricter gun ownership regulations. So why is gun control so difficult in the United States today? First, it is far too easy to purchase not only small self-defense pistols but also large-scale lethal weapons. It is not uncommon to see guns sold in certain corners of grocery stores. There was a social experiment involving an 18-year-old youth that cannot be taken lightly: while he was refused when trying to buy alcohol and cigarettes at a store, he was able to purchase a gun very easily. There were no basic background checks for past criminal records or mental health, and in fact, the sale was encouraged.

Even if social sentiment shifts toward stronger gun control, institutionalizing such measures faces many difficulties. First, the enormous annual lobbying expenditures by the National Rifle Association (NRA) act as a barrier. The NRA is a powerful interest group in American politics; according to 2021 statistics, it spent over $4.9 million on political lobbying alone. They do not merely oppose gun control but continuously strive to abolish existing gun ownership regulations at both federal and state levels. Beyond political lobbying, the NRA’s formidable political influence also stems from its steadily growing membership, which surpassed 5 million in 2022. Members’ activities are extensive, and the NRA’s annual budget reaches approximately $250 million, used across education, various gun promotion events, legal activities, and more.

This is also a result of politicians yielding to voter sentiment. Most federal gun control bills are blocked in the House of Representatives from the early stages. The composition of voters in electoral districts creates a pro-gun atmosphere in the House. There are more rural districts with many gun owners than urban districts, resulting in an insufficient number of politicians supporting gun control. Even if a gun control bill passes the House, it is even more difficult to pass the Senate, where rural representatives are relatively more numerous.

Even if gun control legislation overcomes all political barriers, the U.S. judicial system poses an even higher hurdle. The U.S. Supreme Court has twice ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to possess personal firearms such as handguns.

Fortunately, South Korea is one of the countries with well-regulated gun control. There have been no large-scale gun incidents, and illegal gun cases numbered only 17 between 2017 and 2021. However, even if actual incidents do not occur, the reality is that the importation of gun parts from abroad to manufacture or sell homemade firearms is steadily increasing. Even the smallest spark can ignite a serious issue. It is important to pay attention and exercise greater caution.

Kim Gyu-il, Professor at Michigan State University

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.