Gun control remains to be one of the most controversial issues in America today. As society is divided on the merits and demerits of gun control, support for each group increases as both sides is able to present the advantages and disadvantages of using guns. When in the wrong hands, guns can be considered as one of the most dangerous weapons ever invented by man. However, for people who recognize the evils that guns can lead to, but are responsible enough to handle the weapon, guns may be used for self defense and as a form of sports. Considering the various facts about gun control, carefully analyzing its pros and cons can help people decide what their stand is about the issue.
Gun control pertains to the regulation or control of the sales of guns, including the regulations, rules, and restrictions that govern gun ownership and distribution. This issue has left society divided as one group vows to ensure criminals and the youth do not have access to guns, while another group claims that restrictions and regulations will only affect law-abiding citizens. Still, another group says this is a complete violation of people’s constitutional rights.
Pros of Gun Control
Anti-gun control supporters assert that banning guns or applying extreme regulation only gives criminals access to weapons, while leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless and feeling agitated about the restrictions of owning a weapon. Criminals will always be able to source illegal weapons and firearms, unlike the rest of the citizenry who will be regulated when it comes to their purchases and yet, they are the ones who need protection from the criminals. In essence, this is the Pro Gun Control group’s argument on self defense (“Gun Control in the United States”).
Still, the group argues that they have a constitutional right to own guns as cited in the Second Amendment, which is the provision that allows an army to protect the state from criminals. But there are no talks about individuals owning personal guns. Regulating gun ownership means restrictions on the number of guns used to supposedly protect the state, but the problem is it could be either intentionally or accidentally used on innocents (White).
Pro Gun Control enthusiasts also say that a gun have become popular in recent years as a sport and is used for hunting. Having stricter gun control laws ensure that the use of guns remains as a harmless activity and not an excuse to cause pain or injury to another individual. In addition, this would mean that those people who are engaged in this sport will only use the type of guns that they are supposed to use for the kind of sports they are engaged in. Thus, they will not be allowed to own or have access to other types of guns.
Cons of Gun Control
Those who are against gun control argue that banning guns does not mean they weapons will disappear or lessen the impact it creates on people. In the same manner, prohibiting non-criminals become defenseless because they lack the protection they need in cases of emergencies. Thus, for anti-gun control supporters, the citizens should be allowed to use and own weapons for their protection (“Gun Control Needs to be Under Control”).
Another point of view is how guns restriction does not guarantee that the citizens are safe. In the first place, guns per se do not kill people. People are the ones instigating the act, thus, people are the ones killing another human being. In addition, in most instances where guns were used as weapons to inflict injury to another individual, the gun used was not legally purchased by the instigator, but is not legally bought from recognized gun dealers or are not registered. In some cases, weapons are even stolen from registered owners (“Gun Control Needs to be Under Control”).
In terms of self protection, anti-gun control advocates contend that if non-criminals have access to their own guns, they have the capacity to protect themselves when they are faced with a situation with a criminal. In this case, though both of them have guns, at least the playing field is level.
Taking the cases of the massacres in Columbine and in Newton, the killers got hold of their weapons by illegally obtaining the guns from friends or from the parents who were all registered owners. However, the perpetrators, on the other hand, were not legally registered to own the guns.
Guns may be used for defense and self protection, as a sport, or for recreational reasons. Although it could inflict pain and injury to others, not all gun users are irresponsible users. Imposing stricter gun control measures penalizes everyone, even those who are aware of its use and who are responsible users, not only the criminals. In addition, while target shooting and hunting as a sport and recreational activity glamorize gun ownership, the more it becomes important to educate people (users and non-users) about guns. Therefore, ensuring that people are aware and educated about its use, effects, and purpose are better ways of dealing with gun control rather than applying severe regulation and restriction measures.
Works Cited
“Gun Control in the United States.” 2000. Web. 11 January 2014. <http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/sites/default/files/GunReport.pdf>.
“Gun Control Needs to be Under Control.” N.d. Web. 12 January 2014. <http://guncontrolneedstobeundercontrol.weebly.com/advantages-and-disadvantages.html>.
White, Deborah. “Pros & Cons of Gun Ownership & Use Laws for Individuals.” N.d. Web. 12 January 2014. <http://usliberals.about.com/od/patriotactcivilrights/i/ProConGunLaws.htm>.
