123 ABC AvenueCity
Dear Mr. XYZ
REQUEST TO REVIEW GUN LAWS
I am writing to inform you that the current laws in the country, regarding weapon ownership and control, need to be reviewed. The recent gunshots and deaths on January 25, in a mall in Columbia compelled me to address you and bring it to your notice that the lives of people cannot be dealt with such ease. Such incidents should not be allowed to happen. The weapon related laws should provide people safety, but unfortunately, that is not the case.
The common concept about arm bearing is that it is a right of every citizen to take measures for their safety. However, is it so? Does carrying guns around, helping our people or is it merely threatening their lives? I say that the protection of people’s lives is the responsibility of the state and arm bearing is nothing but a threat, ready to put anybody in danger at any moment.
The incidents of random shooting and firing have become a trend over time. People find it increasingly easy to take out a gun and put lives of others’ in jeopardy. There have been a number of such events earlier as well, that have stolen away precious lives and created chaotic situations in the country. 14 years ago, at Columbine High School, we witnessed the biggest shooting massacre when two young men with guns ended up killing 13 people. Even in 2012, there have been shootings at an elementary school (December, Newton Connecticut) and a movie theater (July, Aurora Colorado).
As a part of a humane society, can we allow such things to happen even when weapon regulatory laws are in action? A large number of innocent lives are lost in such bizarre and careless incidents almost every year and still there is no improvement in the situation. Nothing can account for the loss of those who were affected but the least we can do is to try to prevent such things from happening in the future. I have experienced the pain myself as I lost a friend in a random shooting incident last year as well. His family is still recovering from the huge loss they suffered due to a careless gun carrying young man. Is that humanity? Being a human, I was compelled to request for action.
Considering the increase in death rates in such incidents, it is the state responsibility to prevent them at every level. It is mere logic to expect an end to such brutality when laws and rules exist for that purpose. The Second Amendment in the Constitution of America gives individuals rights to bear arms and weapons and much criticism has already been done over the subject. I, too, emphasize over reviewing this law. As Senator Joe Lieberman said over gun, control that, “It's time for Democrats, Republicans and independents to say the strongest conceivable gun control laws won't stop all acts of violence. But, also, to acknowledge that the stronger our gun control laws are, the fewer acts of violence including mass violence that will happen in our society."
I agree over the fact that a person should have a right to self-defense but a person also has the right to be protected and to live without any threats. If an end were put to such incidents, there would be no need for self-defense. It is as simple as that, amend the laws to control violence and crime and there would be no need to devise new laws of protection. There are a number of ways to bring the situation under control. Banning weapons may be a harsh step forward, but it is not as harsh as a death of a loved one. Losing a few rights is better than losing the lives of innocents. Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emmanuel said that, "And it's time as a city we have an assault weapon ban. In addition, it is time as a state that we have an assault weapon ban. And it's time as a country that we have an assault weapon ban."
The country’s people demand for justice. The question that arises is whether we are ready to let this cruel act of foolishness go on or we will provide justice to those who died and protect our people? The choice is not that tough to make. I believe in this country and its laws. On behalf of humanity, I wish to see the country free of such acts soon.
Thank you for your time.
Works Cited:
Carter, Gregg Lee. Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, Inc., 2006.
Lott, John R. More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, Third Edition. London: University of Chicago Press Ltd., 2010.
