Gun control

Gun Regulation: A Controversial Topic

Gun regulation is a highly contentious topic that has sparked many controversies in various parts of the world, most notably in the United States. There have been several controversies between proponents of gun control laws and critics of the same topic. Many people are debating whether or not weapons should be monitored and kept out of the possession of civilians. Understanding this contentious topic is critical. Gun regulation refers to government-enacted regulations that prohibit the sale and storage of weapons. Certain nations around the world have stringent laws governing the possession of firearms (Kerry et al,9).

For example in the United Kingdom, being in possession of any firearms warrants an extensive explanation for the property. Whereas in other states, like the United States there are no such strict laws and that’s the reason why debates have culminated on whether the gun control laws should be enacted or not. In such states where laws on firearm control are absent, it becomes easy to find ordinary citizens in possession of guns and other forms of firearms (Agresti, James, Reid & Rebecca).

The Debate on Gun Control

Gun control is a conversation that every debate will have two sides while under discussion. It is indeed true that allowing the guns to be available for access by the public will attract some form of insecurity at a higher percentage. The other portion of the concerned issue will have their say on the need to be allowed to possess Guns at their discretion or homes. It’s therefore essential to find a standing ground over this issue. Conflicts will always be present under any social setting. It is true that getting to the equilibrium is a significant act. The gun control controversy in the American history has not begun recently, rather long ago immediately after its independence. The security of the American citizens is much important than any other social issue. Therefore going an extra mile to discuss such matters concerning the control of the guns by the state policies has a positive impact. Those who support the action of gun control argue that it is against the law to leave the citizens be in possession of firearms since it infringes the human rights to some extent. While those opposing the gun control have their say that every citizen should be given freedom to hand-possess guns and other firearms. It is there essential to look at the different positions over this matter as from the research the debate is going to carry on for more years to come (Krouse & William,233).

Sides of the Debate: Proponents of Gun Control

This paper aims at discussing the different positions taken over the controversial issue of firearm control in the United States of America. The critical areas under consideration will be those are supporting Gun control policies, those groups who are against the gun control laws.

Arguments in Support of Gun Control

It is usual to understand that most of the crimes committed in many parts of the world are done with the help of firearms. These crimes do not erupt out of an accident but rather through the existence of executable and cheaper means of accessing those guns. The increased rate of access to firearms across the world will translate to more violent and dangerous crimes. The position that these people take is that it is, therefore, necessary to acknowledge the fact that making it a challenging task to have access to these firearms by enacting stringent laws will play an essential role in ensuring that the level of violent crimes is reduced more significantly according to The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence body.

In view of the countries that have strict constitutional laws on firearm possession like the UK, have shown to report fewer numbers of crimes associated with firearm possession. This is attributed to the fact that the tendency of having high crime rates is reported mostly when there is access to firearms than when these firearms are wholly prevented from getting into the hand of the citizens. For this argument, it is possible to agree with these people for their proponent stand on why gun control policy should be imposed on the laws of the US (Agresti et al,89).

According to the proponents of this gun control issue, when it is easier for the ordinary citizens to have access to guns and other firearms, it becomes even easier for every different type of personality to have access to these guns. It is undeniable to agree with this group that there are some people who should never have even attest to accessing a gun because the moment it falls under their ownership, cases of mass killings, casualties, and shootings will be the talk of the day (Agresti et al,108). According to American studies, the criminal cases reported in the United States of America over the past years have been linked to the people who have access to firearms and using them. Therefore it is essential to have strict laws that govern the accessibility of guns to prevent the occurrences of such crimes. If these guns do not fall into the wrong hands, it is possible to curb many criminal cases.

According to the proponent group of gun control, implementation of stricter laws on firearm control among the citizens will go a long way in reducing the rate of suicides reported in the USA. They propose that laws should be passed to curb the fall of guns into the hands of individuals with ill-motives. As per the research, reported cases of suicidal crimes in the US have been reported to happen on people with guns than other methods of committing suicide. The researchers have argued that guns are susceptible to cause more harm to the persons intending to commit suicide than any other means of suicidal commitment. It is, therefore, necessary to pass strict laws that govern gun control to reduce such cases.

Additionally, it is according to these people that passing stricter laws on restricting guns from getting into the ownership of ordinary citizens reduces the rate of homicides committed in the US. These rules include the strictness in the process of obtaining a license to possess a firearm as it is the case in the United Kingdom. It is only the allowed statutory bodies that are allowed to own guns but for the other citizens is prohibited. This is a move towards preventing these firearms from getting into the hands of wrong people. If comparative action is taken on the gun control laws in the United States and the United Kingdom, it is easy to understand the need for gun control laws as argued by the proponents of the stated issue (Agresti et al,67). To reduce the number of reported cases of homicides, it is a requirement that gun control laws be passed and implemented immediately. The above are some of the reasons for the existence of proponents of gun control. Their arguments insist on having laws for monitoring the ownership of firearms in the United States.

Sides of the Debate: Opponents of Gun Controls

In Opposition of Gun Controls

It is indisputable that in every society, there is always an opposition side on any controversial issues. These opponents of gun control have been in disagreement with the issue raised by the proponents. Their arguments base on the following cases which also justify their position regarding the gun control laws.

According to this group of individuals, it is the constitutional right for the ordinary citizens of the US to keep firearms under their possession. It is according to the constitutional laws that these people draw their arguments against the passing of the laws to control guns. According to the human rights activists in the US, ordinary citizens have the right to own firearms to defend themselves. This argument is backed by the amendments made during the second constitutional amendment in the US laws which are directly quoted as follows “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” From this argument, it is undisputable going against the rights of citizens to bearing arms when these laws are passed for gun control. It is also going against the constitution if the restrictive gun laws are implemented. Additional support to this argument is from the US Supreme Court that supports the constitutional upholding for the American citizens to own and use these arms (Doeden,7).

The second argument by these opponents of gun control is that giving the citizens the right to own firearms will reduce the level of reported cases of violent crimes. They state that more violent crimes decrease when more laws allowing citizens to own and possess firearms are incorporated. In their support, the National Rifle Association body of America also supports the licensing of the personal ownership of firearms by ordinary citizens (The editorial board, 8). According to this organization, the absence of firearms in the hands of citizens infringes the safety of the society. The NRA statistics of 2010 also prove the legalization of gun ownership. During the year of 2010, homicides reduced by over 50% while violent crime rates dropped by 48%. This significant drop was attributed to the implementation of laws allowing the American citizens to purchase and own firearms (Cochrane,4).

The opponents of the gun controls also dispute the need for gun control as they base their arguments on the fact that these laws do not prevent terrorists from accessing firearms and using them to commit criminal activities. Criminals will still find a means to execute their violent crimes despite the enactment of laws. Therefore, there is no need for gun control. According to the opponents of gun control, banning people from conducting the business of purchasing and ownership of firearms provides a viable business opportunity for the criminals and hence the spread of violent crimes to ordinary citizens. Unlike when these people are given the opportunity to purchase guns whenever they need (Cochrane,7). It is also the argument of these people that preventing the ordinary citizens from buying and owning firearms in the USA will make the ruling government execute more force to the citizens (Krouse & William,237). The government will be forced to rule with tyranny to show its supremacy over the subjects. It is, therefore, according to the opponents of gun control that imposing gun control laws is never the best approach to a safe society.

Conclusion

The realization of change in a society is never disputable. Social change depends on the direction taken by the members of the community. The existence of laws is a sign of control over specific social activities. Whether these rules have a negative or positive impact on different social groups, there is always a divided society over individual concerns. Laws are drafted and passed to universally govern the citizens of any country. Gun controls are essential to some people while to others are unnecessary. Every society has its own standing on this and therefore their opinions must be respected. It is crucial to avoid taking the side on such matters in order to foster peaceful coexistence. The existence of gun controls promotes a safe society through a variety of ways as stated by the proponents. At the same time, it is undeniable that these gun controls have incitements for the increase in violent crimes as per the arguments of the opponents of gun controls. Therefore, for a safe and worth living society, the power to fostering a peaceful coexistence rests upon the ordinary citizen.

Works Cited

Agresti, James, Reid Smith, and Rebecca Guerra. “Gun Control – Just Facts.” Justs Facts 2017: 1–567. Web.

Cochrane, Emily. “Justice Dept. Orders Review of Background Check System for Gun Buyers.” 2017: 1–10. Web.

Doeden, Matt. Gun Control Preventing Violence or Crushing Constitutional Rights - Matt Doeden - Google Books. Twenty-First Century Books, 2011 ISBN 0761380744, 9780761380740, 2011. Web.

Dudley, Susan Gold. Gun Control - Susan Dudley Gold - Google Books. Marshall Cavendish, 2004 ISBN 076141584X, 9780761415848, 2004. Web.

Krouse, William J. “Gun Control Legislation.” Journal of Current Issues in Crime, Law & Law Enforcement 4.3 (2011): 217–259. Web.

O’Brien, Kerry et al. “Racism, Gun Ownership and Gun Control: Biased Attitudes in US Whites May Influence Policy Decisions.” PLoS ONE 8.10 (2013): e77552. Web.

The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. “The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence - Imagine A Future Free From Gun Violence.” 2017: 1–456. Web.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD. “The Pentagon’s Indifference to Gun Safety - The New York Times.” 2017: 1–10. Web.