An Argument Against Gun Control Essay

Gun control has become more(prenominal) and more of a hot- nonwithstandington topic in the United States, especially after eveningts comparable the Sandy Hook pip in 2012, when some people questi integrityd the requirement of the bit amendment in this day and age. Indeed, up hairgriping the second amendment continues to be a thorny prospect when it does not seem like these grease- subs are being utilize for good. However, the vast majority of people not only subprogram them responsibly, further as well as protect themselves and their families, using these heavy weapons. For this reason, hit mans should not be limited by the government. Essentially, the issue of gun control boils down to two primary issues that drive been in conflict with each other since the founding of the States freedom vs. credential. Anti-gun control advocates insist that their guns are necessity for their own security, but also satisfy the freedom requirement by allowing them to freely practi ce their second amendment rights. Anti-gun advocates see things differently, however, since, to them, having most people in America brandishing a spell represents a profound security affright to them. However, this security risk that is touted by pro-gun control activists is negated by the need for guns in order to find out security, and that the anomalous shooter is a problem with society at large, not the guns themselves.If gun control were in full effect, and it were made illegal to own a firearm, roughshods would simply acquire guns illegally, and would virtually have free reign of whoever they precious to violent death, since law-abiding citizens would not have the means to stop them. Evidence of the effectivity of firearms as a self-defense tool can be seen in numerous studies. For example, according to a study in 2000, an estimated 989,883 U.S. citizens used rough form of gun to defend themselves (Agresti and Smith, 2). In addition, in 1993, 3.5% of households had use d a firearm to defend themselves for self-protection or for the protection of property at home, work, or elsewhere (Agresti and Smith, 3). These acts put gun control in a much more positive light, especially from the perspective that they should be used to increase security in an increasingly insecure country. The outstrip way to prevent injection incidents like the Sandy Hook shooting is not to simply remove all guns, as that will not fix the underlying problem, but to focus on rehabilitating people who every have had violent tendencies in the past, orexhibit symptoms that are legitimate with mass shooters.Those who support gun control see each soulfulness in self-discipline of a firearm, especially those with a concealed weapons license, as near other potential Sandy Hook or Virginia State shooting just waiting to happen. That is a valid claim, since the potential is certainly there. The argument that people dont kill people, guns kill people is another popular quote hear d in the pro-gun control community, and while it has some merit, it requires some closer examination in order to determine the rigour of the statement. While it is certainly true that a gun has the potential to kill someone, it is only a tool. The bigger issue when it comes to violent execrations, especially gun-crimes, is the individualist behind the gun. To this end, one of the most effective solutions to the problem of gun madness in this country is to fix the underlying problem, not to simply train away the guns, because that would only invite more violence, especially from the more loyal gun activists. And, of course, umteen deaths and injuries from violent crime come from firearms. For example, in 1996, 65 percent of all murders between spouses were performed with a firearm (Rand, 3).This is where the concept of firearms as a tool comes into play. A criminal who was determined to commit a crime would likely commit the same crime, regardless of whether or not firearms we re allowed. Limiting firearms only succeeds in making everybody a potential powerless victim in the event of a shooting. In order to examine how firearms actually work as a hitch to gun crime, it is necessary to find that those who use guns for violent purposes (i.e. not in self defense) should be grouped into a different section than those who only use firearms for diversion and self-defense. This has actually been done before, and refers to two types of gun ownership criminal gun ownership and non-criminal gun ownership. For instance, a study taken in 1995 showed that Where non criminal gun-ownership is higher, criminal gun ownership is also higher and where criminal gun ownership is higher, the percent of crimes which are committed with guns is higher (Squires, 197).Essentially, this means that guns grow more guns, which, in turn, beget more violence, or at least(prenominal) that is what this study shows. However, the issue is a miniature more complicated than that. For in stance, many areas of the nation are simply violent by virtue of their inhabitants, and, even if guns were outlawed, they would still fight amongst themselves using whatever weapons areavailable. In addition, it is thinkable that many who live in these areas with large amounts of violence actually purchased guns themselves for the mend purpose of self defense, so that if they themselves were attacked by an assailant using a gun, they would not be completely helpless. Although firearms work well as a way to protect oneself, they also act as a threat of immediate vengeance by the victim, assuming the victim is in possession of a firearm. A study showed that, in a survey of antheral felons in 11 state prisons, 34% had been scared off, shot at, wounded, or captured by an armed victim, while 40% said they decided not to commit a crime because they knew or believed that the victim was carrying a gun, and 69% said they knew of another criminal who had not committed a crime because the v ictim had a firearm (Agresti and Smith, 6).This helps to show what gun-advocates call the brighter side of the gun-control compete that guns can, and oftentimes are, used as a self defense or deterrence measure, rather than a pure instrument of violence. This theory seems to hold some water, since a study shows that, in 1988, only about 30% of citizens owned guns. Yet, in 1996, that number had increased to 50% (Lott, 38). In 2004, that number remained steady. The interesting thing about these figures is that violent crime in America has actually been decreasing at a slow rate. While it would be foolish to blame this entirely on guns, it is a good exponent that guns at least function, on some level, as a deterrent and personal defense tool. The only problem, of course, stems from the fact that criminals have guns as well, but allowing virtually anyone to own a gun levels the playing field to an extent. If guns were totally outlawed, encounters would be much more one-sided, as crim inals could attack citizens with little to no fear of immediate reprisal on the part of the victim. Gun control is a fairly black-and-white issue, yet seems to only have extremists on one side or the other. While it would be easy to simply net all pro-gun control arguments, they do have some merit.For this reason, there mustiness be consolations made in order to make guns a little bit safer for everybody. The best way to deal with this issue is continue allowing citizens to use firearms, but perhaps limit access to guns in order to ensure safety for the greatest number of people. Allowing firearms if the gun user registers and carries a appropriate for the firearm would help to reduce the number of homicides with firearms, if not as many people have them. Each action hasits own drawbacks, however, and it is important to understand that, especially for this issue, which has undergone something of a deadlock in the recent past. Freedom and security should be balanced in equal measu re, and it is important to come up with solutions to this issue with that in mind.Works CitedAgresti, James D., and Reid K. Smith. Gun Control Facts. honorable Facts (2008). 2-3 Lott, John R. More guns, less crime Understanding crime and gun control laws. University of Chicago Press, 2013. 37-38 Rand, Michael R., et al. Violence by intimates Analysis of data on crimes by current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. (1998) 1-30. Squires, Peter. Gun Culture Or Gun Control? Firearms and Violence Safety and Society. Routledge, 2002. p.197