Gun Control in the US - Essay Example

Today, Americans own guns. While the federal government must regulate the ownership of guns, state gun laws vary from one city to another. Indeed, there have been various federal laws to promote the regulation of gun ownership since 1934, and congress contentiously debates gun control (Almanac of Policy Issues Web) with 60% of Democrats and 30% of Republicans favoring stronger gun ownership laws. However, Americans disagree on this issue with many expressing their desire to use guns while others dispute personal gun usage. Hence, the pros and cons of gun control. This essay will specifically address the reasons for allowing personal gun ownership and usage.

In situations where the police are incapable of protecting the citizens like where thugs break into houses in the wee hours of the night, a personal gun would offer a reprieve. Banning guns would not eliminate them from society since most of the guns are illegal secret imports that are never registered. Hence, banning gun ownership will only accord criminals a chance to own illegal guns and deny law-abiding citizens weapons to protect themselves from criminals. Moreover, shooting is a sport recognized by the federal government and relies on gun ownership.

Hence, banning ownership of guns would deprive sportsmen of their leisure, and kill the sport and the economic benefits attached to it. A country can effectively fight external aggression if most of its citizens can use guns. Banning personal gun ownership denies this ability. Indeed, the federal government recognizes the significance of a well-regulated militia in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Many countries rely on this militia to defend themselves. In probable cases of rape and other crimes, women will have no means to protect themselves when the rapists strike. Ideally, the possibility of a victim possessing a firearm prevents a crime.

Socially, the banning of gun ownership will lead to black markets for guns and subsequent criminal revenue as people seek alternatives, which is risky to the general society. The decision to ban personal ownership of guns is not absolute because there are better ways of gun control like education and advocacy on morality. Similarly, the federal government licensing of gun dealers would help law the police to tame rogue gun dealers, hold gun dealers responsible for any illegal guns, make gun access challenging, and reduce illegal gun trafficking. Most significantly, any ban is a denial that takes away citizens' liberty, an act that negates modern democracy (Balanced politics Web). Hence, the federal government should not initiate gun control/banning. Instead, the state should enact better laws regulating, the sale, access, and use of guns. Moreover, the state should seek to educate society on gun use and the need to have a morally upright society free from the misuse of guns.