‘Name’
‘Instructor’s name’
Abstract
It would be appropriate to start the answer by quoting the second amendment of the American constitution which says –
"A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." (Amendment II, United States Constitution).
Historically, possession of guns has been a part and parcel of the American culture and is associated with the motto of liberty. I believe gun possession would not contribute to a surge in crime rates. On the contrary it would help people to safeguard themselves.
If we consider the example of a country like Switzerland, which has one of the highest civilian gun ownership rates, it is apparent that there is no relationship between gun possession and the crime rates. Switzerland has a homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people which is lower than most other countries like Australia, England and Canada. (Historical Population Data) As John Lott, the popular gun rights advocate, opines, a person who is ready to commit a crime would procure a weapon in some means, be it legally or otherwise. It would be the vast majority of law abiding citizens, who would be left defenseless, if the law of the land prevents them from preparing themselves against possible threats. In his book ‘More Guns, Less Crime’, Lott says, people should be allowed to carry concealed guns. He thinks this would plant a doubt in the minds of a possible offender, because he knows that he might be met with some resistance. (Lott, 1998)
I am also of the opinion that, possessions of a gun would particularly enable women in protecting themselves from sex offenders. Also, criminals are always on the lookout for soft targets, particularly those who have no means of protection, and if gun possession is restricted it would convert most of the citizens into soft targets. Banning possession of arms will only result in increase of illegal gun trafficking through black markets. While there is no doubt that armed crimes should be stopped, controlling possessions of guns is not a solution. A person, who is inhumane enough to break the revered laws of human compassion, would not hesitate to break a federal law in getting his hands on to guns. It would be the honest law abiding citizen who would be affected if more restrictions are imposed on gun possession and not the offender.
References
Calculated Rates – Switzerland. Historical Population Data – USCB International Data Base. Suitland, MD: US Census Bureau Population Division. 1 April, 2013.
John Lott (June 1, 1998) More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws published by University of Chicago Press.
