In early December, the US broke a terrible new record: 38 big shootings (大规模枪击事件) in a single year, in which 203 people have died. Why is there so much gun violence (暴力) in the US? Although the problem is complicated (复杂的), there are three big reasons: too many guns, weak gun laws and cultural factors (因素).
The US has a lot of guns—120.5 guns for every 100 Americans, according to a 2017 survey (调查). In other words, there are more guns than people in the US. This makes it easier for people to get guns.
Although US federal law says certain people can’t buy guns, it’s still fairly easy for Americans to buy them anyway, said Vox. A big part of this is loopholes (漏洞) in gun sales. In the US, when you buy a gun from a licensed (有经营许可的) shop or at a gun show, they have to check your background. But if you buy from a private seller, they don’t have to do that. Even in those cases where a background check is made, it can only take up to three days at most. If the seller does not receive a clear answer within three days, the seller can still sell the gun, reported CGTN.
The US also has a unique gun culture, influenced by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution (宪法第二修正案). Some people believe it gives them special rights (权利), making them refuse to give up their guns for the greater good.
Around 60 percent of Americans think gun violence is a big problem and want stricter gun laws. But keeping gun violence under control in the US is not easy. Because it’s unclear if US lawmakers, who listen to powerful gun groups like the National Rifle Association or Gun Owners of America, will make changes.
13. What are the main reasons for increasing gun violence in the US?
a. the high ownership of guns
b. the weak laws on buying guns
c. the light punishment on gun violence
d. the right to have guns in the minds of Americans
14. Those who are not allowed to have guns _________.
A.won’t have any chance to buy guns |
B.can buy guns with a special license |
C.can buy guns from private sellers |
D.can buy guns by showing their background |
15. In the writer’s opinion, to keep gun violence under control in the US is __________.
A.meaningless | B.costly | C.difficult | D.possible |
16. What’s the structure of the passage?