Why Automatic Rifles Should Be Banned although Gun Control Is not Effective - Essay Example

Automatic rifles are magazine- fed rifles that utilize either the recoil or a proportion of the gas that compels the projectile to control its action, and to replace the spent cartridge after which it fires again repeatedly to the extent that the magazine is exhausted. Most automatic rifles have the ability to fire in both full- automatic, as well as semi- automatic. The distinctive capability along with the detachable magazine makes the automatic rifle different from other categories of automatic firearms including machine guns. Further, these features make up the attributes of the automatic rifle, which impose higher risks if employed. In the course of its utilization, the rifle is prone to cause greater harm on victims. This among other reasons forms the basis for which a ban on the automatic rifle should be established. Automatic rifles cause multiple killings and numerous injuries over a short span of time when used. This is because they reload rifles automatically and fire continuously until the magazine is exhausted. For instance, in the mass shooting at a Century movie theater in Aurora, 12 people were killed and 58 others injured in a span of one minute. James Holmes, the assailant used a semi- automatic rifle comprising a 100 round drum magazine, which though malfunctioning after fewer than thirty rounds, caused significant harm. Possession of rifles increases violence among young people (Moorhouse 112). For instance, in the deadly incident named the Columbine High School Massacre that occurred in 1999, twelve students and a teacher were killed by two senior students; Erick Harris and Dylan Klebold while 21 other students were left injured. The killings were accomplished using automatic rifles including a 9mm semi- automatic carbine in a span of 5 minutes before the arrival of police officers. The two perpetrators of the killings later took their own lives. Evidently, a ban on rifles should be enacted since apart from enhancing violence, it kills moral sanctity of the society. Further, availability of rifles has caused increased cases of bullying, growth of subcultures and high school cliques that are negatively valued. These emergent trends among students have led to the deterioration of moral sanctity and schools are no longer secure institutions even for the innocent students who are not in possession of firearms. Also, as a result of increased bullying among students, more students are initiated into criminal activities, which is an immense loss for the entire society (Lew and Kleiner 32). This is because safety for individuals declines. Concentrations in crimes impacts negatively on the economy of the state as individuals refrain from productive activities to assume the new lifestyle characterized by criminal activities. Possession of automatic rifles should be banned since it encourages individuals to carry out their long held wishes or desires to kill. According to psychology, some perpetrators perform killings for pleasure. In addition, it exposes a large proportion of the population to deviants in the society who use the rifles to gratify themselves through killings or who are up to set a record which is self- centered. Such individuals accomplish their objectives at the expense of the lives of innocent individuals. The 2nd amendment provides that citizens may possess firearms for protecting themselves from harm by burglaries (Kopel 12). In as much as the process of acquisition is difficult, firearms still fall on the arms of deviant individuals who purchase them through their friends or from black markets (Wachtel 228). For instance, Erick and Dylan became owners of rifles through a friend. The resultant outcome was the use of the rifles for massive killings. In spite of the fact that Klebold had on several occasions been treated for depression, there were no clear reasons why the two would seek to cause such harm. Evidently, some individuals have hidden motives for being in possession of firearms rather than using them as tools for protecting themselves against harm. As such, a ban on possession of automatic rifles should be enacted to deter individuals with ill motives from causing harm. Actual possession of rifles increases the likelihood of the weapons being used irrespective of whether they are used to protect oneself against harm or otherwise. This causes people to live in fear of each other since some individuals react aggressively once confronted. Individuals with a habit of reacting negatively may be prompted to use their rifles when angered causing harm that they would have otherwise not caused if they did not possess the rifles. The harm caused may spread not only to the individual who confronted the perpetrator, but also to others who may seek to offer help and are accidentally caught up in the incident. In addition, lack of restriction as to the viable individuals of age who can possess firearms causes an increased risk of massive harm to society. For instance, psychopaths who possess automatic rifles may cause extensive harm. Due to their inability to control their emotions, they may resolve to kill others as a result of the pressure they are facing within. For instance, in the Columbine High School massacre, it was ruled that Harris who was a psychopath may have plotted the killings and used the help of his friend Dylan who was suffering from depression. Their actions explicitly support the idea that a ban on automatic rifles should be enacted immediately to prevent the easy accessibility to ammunitions to persons who lack stability of the mind and whose decision making process is deterred by their status. Automatic rifles should be banned to deter individuals who seek to fulfill individual objectives such as being termed heroes of an act, shooting a movie or mere personal gratification from causing massive killings, property damage and intensive losses. The Virginia Tech massacre that took place in 2007 at a school in Virginia, United States saw the killing of 32 people and 15 others were injured. The two attacks that differed by a period of two hours were perpetrated by a single individual. The incidents perpetrated by Seung- Hui Cho have remained the deadliest of all shootings undertaken by an individual gun-man in the US history. This would be termed heroic, but its nature and impact proves otherwise. The incident was the second deadliest act of mass killings in a college and was one that received media coverage internationally since it was an unusual occurrence. The perpetrator who had been diagnosed with anxiety disorder had legally purchased handguns in his state. The US system is deficient of measures to take in a bid to treat mental health issues. As such, a ban is the most appropriate solution for preventing such massive killings and damage over property undertaken by perpetrators who are not of sound mind (Wells, Zhang and Zhao 260) Conclusively, it is to say that the most appropriate measure to take is to enact a ban on the possession of automatic rifles. From the cases discussed above, a ban would provide for a solution to massive killings that occur in a short span of time and which would otherwise been prevented if the perpetrators had no access to the rifles. In addition, since the National Instant Criminal Background Check System proved inefficient through its failure to detect Cho’s state of mind before he could purchase the handguns, a ban would act as an effective weapon that would not only deter a person of unsound mind from possessing a rifle, but would also make the rifles inaccessible to such individuals. With the enactment of a ban, it is evident that the society would be much safer a place to live in. Students would be deterred from forming gangs that perform criminal activities. Ultimately a ban will serve as a comprehensive measure to reduce massive killings and uncalled for injuries (Moorhouse 122). Works Cited Kopel, David B. "The Ideology of gun ownership and gun control in the United States." Quarterly Journal of Ideology (2000): 3-34. Lew, Peter and Brian H Kleiner. "Implications of Concealed - Gun Laws for Business." Managerial Law 44.1 (2002): 31-36. Moorhouse, John C. "Does Gun Contol Reduce Crime or Does Crime increase Gun Control?" Cato Journal 26.1 (2006): 103-125. Polsby, Daniel D. "The False Promise of Gun Control." The Atlantic (1994): 57-68. Wachtel, Julius . "Sources of crime guns in Los Angeles." An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management (2000): 220 - 239. Wells, William , Yan Zhang and Jihong Zhao. "The effects of gun possession arrests made by a proactive police patrol unit." International Journal of Police Strategies & Management (2012): 253-271. Read More