Opción B - 1 · Inglés PAU Navarra Ordinaria 2024

Opción B

GUNS IN THE USA

Of the many words synonymous with the USA (freedom, wealth, American dream), gun violence, unfortunately, is one of them. In the year 2022 alone, there were over 45 thousand gun-related deaths on American soil. Over 6,000 children were killed or injured by gunfire and either intentional or indirect use of guns. Gun violence has recently surpassed car accidents as the greatest threat to American youngsters in causes of death. Suicide by guns has also reached an almost historic peak, with an estimated 7.5 gun suicides per 100,000 people. Incidents like the mass shootings in Dallas, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, continue to have cities in mourning and have sparked repeated calls for stricter laws to control gun ownership.

In response to these concerns, President Joe Biden is trying to restrict access to guns. However, the laws and policies are almost impossible to change. The Second Amendment of the US Constitution states that the right of the people to bear and keep arms has to be respected. This amendment was written after the American Revolution to make sure that if the American government turned corrupt and infringed on the fundamental human rights of the Americans, the people would have the power and weapons to overthrow the government and fight for their own rights. On a deeper level, gun restrictions are very hard to implement due to the inherent mindset of US citizens; that of freedom. The government cannot violate human liberties, and one of those liberties is the ownership of guns.

Besides, although the majority of Americans believe that gun violence is a significant problem in society, the American population is evenly divided into whether gun ownership increases or decreases safety in America. About half say it helps to increase safety by allowing citizens to protect themselves, but an equal share says gun ownership reduces safety by giving too many people access to firearms and, consequently, by increasing gun misuse. According to the Pew Research Center, personal protection (72%) tops the list of reasons gun owners give for owning a firearm. Considerably smaller shares say that a major reason they own a gun is for hunting, for sport shooting, as part of a gun collection or for their job.

1. Answer these questions about the text. Use your own words wherever possible (2 points, 1 each).

a)

What does the Second Amendment of the American Constitution say? Why was it written?

b)

What do Americans say when asked whether gun ownership increases or decreases safety?