Gun Violence: US vs Nigeria
Written and edited by Meyer Hirsch
August 25th, 2024
August 25th, 2024
Gun Violence, Gun Policies, and Gun Ownership: A Comparison Between the USA and Nigeria
Gun Ownership
United States
- Historical Context: The right to bear arms is deeply ingrained in American culture and law, starting with the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified in 1791. This amendment was influenced by the early American experience with militias and the desire to protect against more tyranny after overthrowing British rule. Over time, the interpretation of this right has been extended to individual ownership for self-defense and other purposes.
- Current Status: The U.S. has one of the highest rates of civilian gun ownership globally. As of recent estimates, there are about 120 guns per 100 people in the U.S., meaning there are more guns than people. This is in part due to a thriving gun culture where firearms are seen not only as tools for self-defense but also as symbols of individual freedom and identity.
- Types of Firearms: The U.S. allows a wide range of firearms, including handguns, rifles, shotguns, and semi-automatic weapons. The access to these weapons varies by state, with some states having strict gun control laws and others being more lenient.
Nigeria
- Historical Context: Unlike the U.S., Nigeria does not have a historic culture of gun ownership among civilians. Traditionally, firearms were more associated with colonial and military power because, during the colonial period, British authorities implemented strict gun control measures to prevent uprisings, a policy that has had lasting effects on Nigerian attitudes toward civilian gun ownership.
- Current Status: Gun ownership in Nigeria is highly restricted as civilians are generally not allowed to own firearms unless they obtain a special permit, which is difficult to acquire. The Nigerian Firearms Act, initially enacted in 1959, strictly regulates the possession and use of firearms, limiting it mainly to law enforcement, military personnel, and some licensed private security firms.
- Types of Firearms: In Nigeria, the types of firearms legally available to civilians are severely restricted and are limited to hunting rifles and shotguns, which still require stringent background checks and licensing.
Gun Policies and Regulation
United States
- Federal vs. State Laws: Gun regulation in the U.S. is complex due to the division of powers between federal and state governments. The federal government can set baseline regulations (background checks for gun purchases from licensed dealers), but states have significant leeway to impose their own restrictions leading to a myriad of different rules and regulations. States like California enforce strict gun control measures, while others like Texas have more permissive laws.
- Key Legislation: Significant federal laws include the National Firearms Act of 1934, which regulates certain types of firearms, the Gun Control Act of 1968, which imposed restrictions on the sale of firearms, and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, which introduced mandatory background checks for purchases from licensed dealers.
- Debates and Lobbying: Gun policy is a highly contentious issue in the U.S., with powerful lobbying groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA) advocating for gun, and gun owners' rights. The debate often centers around the balance between Second Amendment rights and public safety, with mass shootings and other forms of gun violence fueling ongoing policy discussions.
Nigeria
- Strict Regulation: Nigerian gun policies are far more restrictive. The Firearms Act is the primary legislation governing gun ownership, and it tightly controls the issuance of firearm licenses. The Act requires potential gun owners to prove a genuine need for a firearm, undergo rigorous background checks, and often involve the approval of the Inspector General of Police for a person to own a gun.
- Enforcement Challenges: Despite strict laws, enforcement in Nigeria faces significant challenges due to corruption, the prevalence of illegal arms, and the lack of secure borders. Many illegal firearms are smuggled into the country each year, exacerbating issues related to gun violence and criminal activity, while also endangering citizens and undermining efforts to institute gun control measures.
- Efforts to Control Illegal Arms: The Nigerian government has launched various initiatives to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms, including disarmament programs and collaborations with international organizations to introduce variations of gun buyback programs. However, the effectiveness of these efforts is often undermined by limited resources, the complex socio-political landscape, and government distrust.
Gun Violence
United States
- Scale of Violence: The U.S. experiences a significantly higher rate of gun violence compared to most other developed nations. The most common instances of gun violence are mass shootings, homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings. According to recent data, gun violence is a leading cause of death among young people in the U.S., with nearly 40,000 gun-related deaths each year.
- Mass Shootings: Mass shootings are a particularly severe problem in the U.S., with incidents occurring with rapidly increasing frequency. These events often reignite debates over gun control, but significant legislative changes at the federal level have been limited due to a lack of bipartisan negotiation.
- Urban vs. Rural: Gun violence in the U.S. varies by region, with urban areas often seeing higher rates of gun homicides, while rural areas may have higher rates of gun suicides. The causes of gun violence are complex, involving factors such as socioeconomic status, access to firearms, and mental health issues.
- Scale of Violence: While Nigeria does not experience the same level of gun violence as the U.S., it faces significant challenges related to armed conflict, insurgency, and criminal activities. The Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, conflicts between farmers and herders, and banditry in the northwest have all contributed to gun violence in the country. In addition, many of the northernmost regions a ruled by separatist groups who do not yield to the national government
- Insurgency and Conflict: The presence of insurgent groups like Boko Haram and armed militias has led to widespread violence, often involving illegal firearms. These groups have been responsible for thousands of deaths, displacements, and severe disruptions to civilian life.
- Criminal Activity: In addition to insurgency, Nigeria faces issues with armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom, and other forms of violent crime. The accumulation of illegal firearms exacerbates these problems, making law enforcement efforts more difficult and dangerous.
United States
- Cultural Attachment: The U.S. has a deeply rooted gun culture, particularly in certain regions where hunting, sport shooting, and self-defense are integral to local identities. For many Americans, gun ownership is seen as a fundamental right and an essential part of personal freedom, not to mention many view it as a way to remain “in control” of their lives and decisions.
- Public Opinion: Public opinion on gun control in the U.S. is highly polarized, and has become more polarized in recent years due to an uptick in gun-related deaths. Surveys indicate that a significant portion of the population supports stricter gun control measures, particularly in the wake of mass shootings. However, there is also strong opposition to such measures, particularly among gun owners and those who view them as infringements or “attacks” on their constitutional rights.
- Limited Cultural Attachment: In contrast to the U.S., there is no widespread cultural attachment to gun ownership in Nigeria. Firearms are generally viewed with suspicion and are more associated with violence and criminality than with personal freedom or identity.
- Public Opinion: The majority of Nigerians support strict gun control due to the association of firearms with violence and insecurity. There is little demand for loosening gun laws, as the focus is more on improving security and reducing the flow of illegal arms.
Political Situation Relating to Guns
United States:
- Partisan Divide: Gun control is a major political issue, with Democrats generally favoring stricter controls and Republicans advocating for gun rights.
- Legislative Stalemate: Despite frequent mass shootings, comprehensive gun control legislation faces significant hurdles.
- Public opinion is often divided, leading to inconsistent policy responses.
- Public opinion is often divided, leading to inconsistent policy responses.
- Supreme Court Influence: Recent Supreme Court rulings (District of Columbia v. Heller in 2008) have reinforced individual gun rights, complicating efforts to pass restrictive laws.
- Political Instability and Guns: Gun control policies are influenced by the need to address insurgency and internal conflicts.
- The government focuses on disarmament and combating illegal arms trade, but efforts are often hampered by political instability and corruption.
- The government focuses on disarmament and combating illegal arms trade, but efforts are often hampered by political instability and corruption.
- Military and Police Influence: The military and police have significant influence over gun policies, often prioritizing control over civilian ownership.
- Politicians are more focused on broader security concerns than on civilian gun rights debates, contrasting sharply with the U.S. context.
- Politicians are more focused on broader security concerns than on civilian gun rights debates, contrasting sharply with the U.S. context.
