Gun Control Issue - Essay Example

Gun Control Introduction Gun control includes many different types of laws planed to control human behavior in some way linked to guns. Some rules control guns ownership, limiting the buying, trading or obtaining guns. In order to acquire a gun, one must have a license legally authorized by relevant authorities. Before buying a gun, one must get a permit from the authorities and the buyer must pass a record check. The records check is voluntary and necessitates a minimum waiting period between the original purchase effort and the ultimate delivery of the gun, which is almost similar to the Application to purchase system. Registration systems do not always proof the attainment or the ownership of a gun, relating each gun with a certain owner (Kleck, 64). In the year 1968, the term gun control acquired new connotation with the passage of the Federal Gun Control Act authorized in the wake of two significant murders of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. The act necessitates that all guns have serial numbers connected to the initial buyer forever. Moreover, because of the 1990s amendment, the act prohibited gun ownership by convicted criminals and necessitate a criminal background check for buyers during the sale (Du, 2). The Debate on Gun Control The gun control debate in America is a rivalry between individual liberty and public security. For almost for 160 years, there has been no restriction to the second amendment, which secures the right of the people to keep and own weapons. On the other hand, from the year 1934, Americans have begun to ban and discuss the extent of these rights of people having their own guns. The first limitation on gun rights in the American history occurred as the National Firearms Acts of 1934. In this regard, fully automatic weapons are only accessible following a strict background scrutiny on the owner (Du, 1). The gun rights proponents argue that when people hold guns, there is assurance of individual safety. However, the gun control advocates deem that the extensive gun ownership essentially enhances crime rates and leads to other unconstructive outcomes, both public and private (5). Nowadays, those who propose the use of guns assert that it helps in fighting off criminals on the crime scene. This means that the guns act as a protector against the criminals and it will help to reduce the crime rates. Those folks, who are involved in these criminal acts, are a high risk and they are a threat to the society and the well-being of individuals. On the other hand, those guns, which are in the wrong hands, could turn a peaceful society into a living hell, and only centralized strategies can decrease the accessibility of these deadly weapons. The young people who are involved in drug abuse, unemployed youth, mentally challenged adults and children are always a threat to the community. This is a major reason for the necessity of people owning and using guns in certain neighborhoods (Borade, 1). Gun control advocates claim that availability of guns reduces contact with criminals, juveniles, and other high-risk people. They argue that only national measures can effectively reduce the accessibility of guns in the society. Some of these advocates push for extensive measures. Some of these measures include the prohibition of gun ownership by individuals who are not the police and the registration of all gun owners. Others push for less complex measures that they hold would not obstruct ownership and legal firearm transfer (Krouse, 2). Due to the increase in school shootings especially colleges, most parents worry about their children's safety. This causes panic and depressions especially if there are reports of school shootings. This causes most parents and especially opponents of gun control allow their children to carry guns while in school for protection purposes. The rationale of this assertion is that the only way through which innocent people can defend their lives from people with guns is having guns themselves (Rogers, 1). Various studies on gun ownership reveal that when people hold guns for self-defense, they feel safer compared to those who do not have guns. In robbery cases and assaults, people who keep guns at home or in their vehicles feel much safer and are might even avoid any injuries. Although various beliefs and perceptions deem that such people are more vulnerable to physical injury, it is possible that even the perpetrators would fear a gun (Kleck, 28). Borade argues that there is the need for effective gun control mechanisms for ensuring public security and maintenance of law and order. There are some opponents of gun control who deem that the extensive ownership of guns helps to prevent and reduce crime. However, this is not a valid reason to allow each and every other person to hold a gun for claims of protection. It is evident that holders of guns, even if it's for defense purposes, may become angry and react using a gun. Although it would not have been his or her initial purpose of keeping the gun, a fatal accident might occur. For this reason, individuals should help the lawmakers and policy makers to implement the laws that regulate the holding of firearms illegally (3). Opponents of gun control also object the assertion that the only genuine purpose of an ordinary citizen holding a gun is for recreation. They feel that individual citizens need guns for self-defense. They support this claim by alleging that police officers do not offer ultimate protection to the ordinary citizen. Often, the police come into the scene when the damage has already occurred. They are not able to be with the ordinary citizens' throughout the day and the night. It is, for this reason, that gun control opponent's hold that ordinary citizens should have guns for protection. These opponents also argue that guns are a viable way in which ordinary people protect their lives against tyrannical and dictatorial governments. They claim that the constitution provides the rights of such individuals (Krouse, 11). Several epidemiological and criminological types of research assert that contrary to popular belief, gun control is not a means of preventing and avoiding aggressive crimes. Conversely, gun control deprives innocent and honest citizens of their self-defense more than it prevents aggressive crimes in the society (Joly. et al, 10). In fact, the regulations supported by gun control advocates hurt innocent citizens who are most likely victims of crimes (11). It is absolutely true that when many people hold firearms, there is always a danger looming. This is because, in addition to people holding guns for self-defense, there are also other criminals who hold guns for the purpose of perpetrating crimes. This calls for a strict scrutiny of the persons owning guns as well as a number of firearms manufactured in the industries. Opponents of the gun control should stop holding the assertion that it is against constitutional rights to control the owning of guns. Rather, they should perceive that the holding of guns by ordinary citizens threatens the security of innocent people in the society. This is the major reason why there should be regulation on the control and manufacture of guns. In addition, these control measures would help in a thorough check on people and organizations that operates or functions against the interest of innocent individuals and threatening peaceful co-existence. Instead of Americans rejecting and opposing federal regulation of firearms, they should help the government to implement policies that focus on keeping guns out of the hands of high-risk individuals (Borade, 2). Conclusion Gun control is an aspect that is subject to heated debate, especially in America. Proponents of gun control claim that when there is a widespread ownership of guns, there is the increase in insecurity. On the other hand, opponents of gun control policies deem that it is essential for the public to own guns for self-defense. However, although there is a heated debate, gun control opponents should realize that guns are deadly weapons and should not be in the hands of any individual. Works Cited Borade, Gaynor. Pros and Cons of Gun Control. 2011. Web. Du, Kenny. The Gun Control Debate. 2005. Web. Joly, Claire, et al. Why Gun Control is not the right answer. 1999. Web. Kleck, Gary. Guns and Violence: A Summary of the Field. 1991. Web. Krouse, William. Gun Control. 2002. Web. Rogers, Courtney. Gun Control Issues. 2009. Read More