Control and the violence caused by guns have been emerged as a major threat to the society of America. This is one of most debated issues across the nation because it affects a larger population and has claimed thousands of innocent human lives. Since the issue is related to public health and incidents, related to gun control are increasing, some serious steps are required to be taken in order to curb this menace. This paper intends to discuss the gun control issue, its effects, and remedies to improve the situation, along with discussing several other related aspects.
National crime victimization survey suggests that more than 467,321 people lost their lives in gun violence incidents which are the highest cause of human deaths in America except road accidents (National Institute of Justic, 2013). These incidents include all crimes that are executed by using guns. In past years, incidents of gun violence have been increased in schools which is again a very tormenting situation because killers and victims both are usually not aware of the consequences. The shocking aspect of such incidents is the use of lethal weapons in such crimes. Using lethal weapons worsens the situation and leaves no scope of survival for the victims of such unfortunate incidents.
Now people have started raising their objections on policy related to possession of guns. Almost every sensible citizen including parents of those who died have started demanding a stringent policy in order to prevent these lethal weapons from going into hands of those who are even not aware of the consequences of holding such weapons. They raise their voices against the gun permits to the school going teenagers who commit these crimes just in momentary fumes and just because they have access to these weapons (Carter, 2012). They also face the consequences for their remaining life but the violence would have been completely avoided if they had no access to the weapons.
Currently, there are different laws in different provinces of United States of America that deals with the permit of guns but almost every state allows possession of guns by its citizens. Some states have very nominal restrictions or checks but allow people to possess guns for the self defense. Constitution of America empowers its citizen ad permits them to possess weapons in order to self defense and other legal purposes (Waters, 2012). The same fact is manipulated and argued by those who advocate in the favor of guns and also oppose any effort of putting bans on these weapons.
People who argue against putting any kind of ban on gun control suggest that putting bans on guns is not going to make any change in the satiation but there is a strong presumption that if such bans are imposed, people will be deprived of their rights of self defense. They add that since people are possessed with weapons it compels criminals to rethink before committing any crime but if guns are banned, criminals will be committing crimes fearlessly and they will be on the loose. Their final argument comes from these people that gun does not kill people but people kill people (DeConde, 2001).
On the other hand, there are people who have a different opinion of this issue. These people say that issue is very severe and should be dealt with utmost sincerity. They suggest that instead of going to find solutions in haste, efforts should be made to assess the causes of the problem and the only it is possible to find out any solution. People and their behavior, especially of children should be watched out at early stages (Lexington, 2013). If a child is aggressive, this is the behavioral problem and if not solved at early stage, it may further aggravate and he may choose any other way of showing his anger.
Issue of Gun control is a much debated issue that should be looked into with a new perspective in changed scenarios. Putting inconsiderate bans is not going to solve the problem but allowing possession of guns and especially lethal weapons may aggravate the situation further. It is good to put a reasonable ban of gun control and in special cases, police or other authorities should be given a right to check the background of the person who wants to have lethal weapons (Kelleher, 2004).
After having observed the above mentioned detailed analysis of the subject, it can be concluded that gun control is a sensitive issue and violence caused by guns need very focused and immediate attention of law implementing authorities as well as attention of policy makers. Guns cause violence and thousands of human lives are lost in such incidents which makes this issue unavoidable. Putting bans on guns is not going to solve the issue and it may create other problems in the society. On the other hand, it can not be overlooked that gun control and gun related violence is a major reason of human deaths across the America. Some reasonable steps including a background check should be taken to curb this issue.
References
Carter, G. L. (2012). Guns in American Society. California: ABC-CLIO.
DeConde, A. (2001). Gun Violence in America: The Struggle for Control. USA: UPNE.
Kelleher, M. J. (2004). Social Problems in a Free Society: Myths, Absurdities, and Realities. Maryland: University Press of America.
Lexington. (2013, March 29). The Economist. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from www.economist.com: http://www.economist.com/blogs/lexington/2013/03/gun-control-0
National Institute of Justic. (2013, April 4). Retrieved November 11, 2013, from www.nij.gov: http://www.nij.gov/topics/crime/gun-violence/
Waters, R. (2012, July 24). Forbes. Retrieved November 11, 2013, from www.forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/sites/robwaters/2012/07/24/gun-violence-the-public-health-issue-politicians-want-to-ignore/
