There have been tough debates on whether the federal government of the United States should enact laws that are stricter with regard to gun control. Several stakeholders have taken different position owing to the intensity of the matter with some proposing and other opposing the move. There have been strong argument brought forward supporting the move and at the same time equal arguments have been raised to challenge the move. The rationale of this paper shall be to examine and analyse the different arguments for and against this move with regard to the ethical theories as proposed by different proponents for instance Aristotle and Mills. The paper shall therefore analyse the different propositions to examine the impact of such a move. The arguments in the paper shall show the need for strong laws with regard to gun should be put in place.
Among the reasons that have been brought forward to support for stronger laws to be enacted is the increase in the number of atrocities that are committed by people who are normal. Irrespective of the fact that it is the right of American to own gun, there have been increasing cases of atrocities which could be controlled if strict laws on control of guns were to be passed. The rationale of this move would be to reduce such related cases in the future. The laws will reduce instance of gun getting to the hand of normal people who have the intensions and the inclination of using them in the wrong way. Some well designed and conducted research show that countries that enact strict laws with regard to gun control have low cases of death that are associated with gunshots. Therefore if the federal government of the united state would enact similar laws, cases of death related to gun shots would be reduced (Wilson, pg 26)
With regard to mill theory of utilitarianism, people want to be happy and therefore the federal government of the United States should be guided by this theory. It should pass laws that safeguard the security of its people and adopt measures that will ensure they remain happy. According to mill, his theory coincides with the natural sentiments that are in line with the nature of human beings. For instance, all human beings needs and want to live a live that has no pain. As a result the federal government should ensure that laws on gun control though strict should be enacted and implemented to ensure that the basic rights of individuals and their happiness are not compromised (Krouse, pg 96)
Another reason that have been brought forward as a case for stronger laws on gun control is that minor in United States are having access to the guns. For this reason, the guns are ending up in the hands of the wrong people. Through the enactment of laws that are strict on gun control, the federal government of the United States will protect and ensure that the legal guns are not in the wrong hands but on safe hands. In addition to that, comparison between countries with tough laws with regard to gun control and countries with no regulation with regard to gun shows the need to have strong laws on control of guns. For instance, countries with strong laws that control the use of gun or those who don’t allow at all have few cases of gun related crime rates (Mantel, pg 200)
In countries with no strong law with regard to gun control rate of crime that have connection to guns are high. In schools there have been raising cases where normal student shoot their fellow student which are cases that could be under control if there are tough laws control use of gun. Due to such cases where lives are lost for no reason, the federal government of the United States of America should enact laws that are strong that will reduce such cases and save lives. With regard to Aristotle virtue on ethics, the federal government should be guide by the fact that the well-being of all individuals is of paramount importance. The federal government of the United States should ensure that virtues are observed by control the use of guns. The federal government can only ensure that its move is in line with Aristotle proposal on virtual ethics if virtue shall be upheld through the enactment of strict rule that control use of guns since virtues are central to a life that is well lived (Brown, pg 265)
Strict law if enacted by the federal government will see to it that gun shows which are the loop holes that unlicensed dealers use to obtain the gun are closed. In addition to that, strict laws in the united states would ensure that assault weapons are banned by the federal government and gun with large magazines since they can only be use where a person want or intend to kill large number of people within a short period of time. Such laws though seems tough should be implemented by the federal government since they do not infringe on the rights of responsible people who use guns for hunting and protecting themselves.
With regard to the theory of justice and fairness as proposed by John Rawls, such laws that ensure that all people in the society will be treated equally and the less fortunate will feel incorporated in the decision reached should be enacted. Since enacting strict laws shall ensure that all people liberty are observed and up held, according to the theory of justice and fairness, the society shall be a fair system that cooperates over time. This trend shall be passed to other generations that will come and they shall appreciate the work of their fore fathers (Worrall, pg 165)
Other people have given their opinion with regard to introducing strict laws that would be used to control gun in the United States. One of the proponents argues that absence of morals is the principle problem and not the guns. With regard to this argument, the proponents are of the opinion that there is no need for strict laws with the aim of controlling guns. In addition to that, there are more arguments that oppose the introduction of the laws that seeks to control the use of guns. For instance, it has been argued that even in countries that have strict laws that control gun use other equipment such as knives have been used to commit crimes.
However these arguments have no basis according to the theory of utilitarianism by mill since they don’t have the interest of the majority. The federal government of the United States should be guided by the different theories that upholds the interest of the majority and promotes happiness. Equality among different people in the United States should be observed that shall see to it that the welfare of every person is observed.
Works Cited
Brown, R B. Arming and Disarming: A History of Gun Control in Canada. Toronto [Ont.: University of Toronto Press, 2012. Print.
Mantel, Barbara. Gun Control: Should Lawmakers Tighten Firearm Restrictions?Washington, D.C: CQ Press, 2013. Print.
Worrall, John L. Crime Control in America: An Assessment of the Evidence. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, 2006. Print.
Krouse, William J. Gun Control Legislation. Ft. Belvoir: Defense Technical Information Center, 2010. Internet resource.
Wilson, Harry L. Guns, Gun Control, and Elections: The Politics and Policy of Firearms. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2006. Internet resource.
