The subject of gun regulation has been one of a controversial nature. Various groups argue against the legalization of firearms for public use while others argue that guns are of the essence to the society. The differences in opinion have always been pegged on the issue of the level of crime in the society. On one hand, one group blames guns for a majority of the crimes happening on the world. On the other hand, the other group reiterates that guns are independent of the level of crime in the society. Generally, people tend to concentrate more on the number of individuals who die by guns. This people and statistics fail to put into consideration the countless lives saved by the use of a gun. However, there do not exist one concrete argument on the issue of guns. This is reflected by the fact that different states in the United States tend to go about the issue differently. Some of the states have strict gun controls while other states choose to indiscriminately legalize guns. To this end, this paper aims to look into the issue of gun control. In addition, the paper will look into the correlation of more laws leading to a reduced level of crime.
In this perspective, supporters of gun control argue that the issue of gun control is one embedded in humanity. As such, guns lack the capability of operating on their own; without labor, brains, and control. This is based on the fact that guns require an external intelligence for their control. On this aspect, the blame for the issue of crime and gun related deaths is diverted and blamed on humanity. Without the operational knowledge of humanity, guns cannot operate. In addition, they would not have been invented without human input. The issue of human control revolves around the issue of whether humanity can be able to make a personal decision devoid of external stimuli. This reflected by employing a situation where an individual can decide to step in a fire and burn, or get out of the fire’s way. In the case of the latter, then humanity can be blamed as the sole cause of evil arising out of the usage of guns. As such, individuals supporting gun controls thus argue that personal decisions are to be blamed for the atrocities caused by guns.
Additionally, those against stricter gun control laws are of the opinion that guns have contributed to the reduction of the level of crime. This is based on the fact that a wrongdoer can be confronted by anyone in possession of a gun. However, the individuals acknowledge that guns should only be taken away from those individuals with known criminal backgrounds. In their defense, human beings are born equipped with the knowledge on morality. One cannot engage in killing of his fellow humans whereas one knows it is ethically. Also, there exist various legislature including that those against the taking of life. Thus, the individuals conclude that, the consensus that disarming individuals generally reduces crime is flawed. In their defense, they state outlawing of guns does not necessarily mean that only outlaws would remain in possession of guns. Another argument advanced is that bearing of arms is a right entrenched in the constitution. The constitution, in the second amendment, allows for individuals to own guns. As such abolishing, this right would amount to one being denied their basic human right.
However, various individuals have supported the enactment of gun laws. The individuals reiterate that people do not need to have guns as the police offer them protection. As such, the work of policing, arresting, and defending one’s property is passed on to the police. Thus, the individuals argue that the necessity for guns is eliminated. In addition, in light recent shootings, individuals supporting gun control have argued the illegalizing of guns. In their argument, the individuals argue that the massacres would have been avoided if guns were not readily available to citizens An example of a gun massacre is that of the recent Aurora shootings. In this, and other circumstances, the individuals were able to eliminate many people; while on a shooting spree. As such, the individuals argue that strict guns laws should be enacted.
Also, individuals supporting enactment of tighter gun control rules argue that the level of crime in areas having stricter rules tend to face a lower crime rate. Another argument put forward is the fact that there exists a need for government’s control over her immediate citizens. As James Madison stated, the government would fail in its role if cannot be able to control the governed citizens. As such, legalizing guns would amount to empowering the individuals by allowing them to have weapons. In case of disputes, the common citizen would have sufficient power to topple or defy the government’s directives. As such, citizens must cede some of their rights to the government to allow it work without fear or prejudice. Moreover, the issue of technology has served to compound the issue of gun control. In an era with continuous innovations, individual would turn out to be able to create their own guns. An epitome of this is the inception of 3D printing. With this kind of printing, one can be able to print anything and assemble the resultant gun model. As such, the number of guns available would turn out to be more than ever imagined.
With respect to the issue of the level of crime of gun and control laws, there do not exist a concrete proof that relates the two to each other. In the real sense, there have been instances where the opposite has been brought out as being the truth. An epitome of this is brought out by Idaho. In this city, the availability of guns is excessively disturbing to the extent that one can virtually buy a gun on the street. However, the level of crime in this city is small compared to other cities with strict gun controls. To some extent, crime is said to be non-existent. In particular, the last public shots fired were as a result of government work; in the form of Federal Bureau of Investigation. This contrast of law and crime is painted by the city of Chicago. In this city, shooting is rampant; compared to Idaho. However, Chicago has faced radical gun control legislation. This same disturbing trend is observable in Los Angeles. In this latter city, these pictures bring out the fact that there exists a thin relationship between the level of crime and more gun control laws.
Moreover, alarming statistics between Washington D.C and Indianapolis bring out the futility of trying to establish a relationship between gun control laws and the level of crime. Statistically, Washington D.C is reflected as having murder rate of sixty nine individuals per 100, 000 while Indianapolis’ rate revolves around nine for the same sample of 100, 000. However, despite the continued pressure and enactment of the legislature, the level of crime has not been reduced. Realistically, the level of crime has continued to grow disregarding all the endeavors by government in trying to establish a causative factor for the high level of crime. Thus, it has been established that more gun laws do not necessarily reflect a reduction the level of crime.
In a nutshell, the issue of crime can be termed to societal or cultural in nature. The same way that important lessons are imparted to children, society should take upon itself in the teaching of dangers of using guns. Just like the way individuals grow up knowing what is right or wrong. In addition, the usage of guns borders on the rationality of the individuals wielding the guns. As such, the negligent usage of guns cannot be translated to the existent of loose laws in the society. In retrospective, existence of staunch or excess laws might not have any impact on the level of crime in a place. Examples of Washington D.C., Idaho, and Chicago are but amongst the cities that have experienced a flipside of what was expected. Thus, the society should concentrate more on educating the society; as opposed to trying to control the number of guns.
Works Cited
BBC. Does gun control reduce crime. 29 October 2002. 14 December 2012
Carter, Gregg Lee . Guns in American Society. 2, illustrated, revised. California: ABC-CLIO, 2012.
Liptak, Adam. Gun Laws and Crime: A Complex Relationship. 29 June 2008. 14 December 2012
Moorhouse, John C. "Does Gun Contol Reduce Crime or Does Crime increase Gun Control?" Cato Journal 26.1 (2006): 103-125.
