Free Gun Control Essay
Gun control refers to any policy or law that can be established in order to limit the production, importation, sale, possession and use of guns privately by people. Gun control restrictions differ from country to country. In the United Kingdom, there are strict laws about gun possession and in the US such laws are relatively modest. However, the question about the gun usage is still open and it is highly debatable around the world. Some people think that it is very dangerous to spread gun ownership, and others argue about the right of self/family-protection. Therefore, this issue is debated with a list of pros and cons. People, who support the gun control laws and policies, believe that they would help to protect society and people’s lives, their opponents argue that these limitations would cause more harm.
“Guns support crimes” is the most popular argument that is expressed for the development of the strict gun control policy. However, is it as strong as it can be seen from the first sight? Does guns usage always lead to the crime? There is no definite answer to this question. It is not a secret that if something is forbidden it raises more attention of people who are inclined to bad performance. People who want to use guns in illegal issues will always find the way to buy them. In the criminal world, those who are willing to use weapons against civilians, have a full access to the weapons. Weapon laws are only for honest citizens who are defenceless against criminals, rapists and murderers. As a result, ordinary people will not have any chance to protect themselves from the criminals. The offender usually attacks someone who seems weaker than he/she is, for example, several people can attack one man or woman, elderly people, etc. The only thing that can greatly strengthen the chances of the defender to survive is a firearm. From this point, if the gun caring becomes legal, it will decrease the rate of criminal attacks, because all bad guys will understand that the person has power to protect and they can be hurt (Moorhouse). If the person does not have the gun and criminals do not know it for sure, he/she will be more protected from the attack than now is. Citizens will have the additional guarantee of their security. In this case, weapon is the tool that can save one’s life. As a result, the society will feel safer. One of the positive sides of gun control minimisation is the end with the criminal trade in arms, and those who are now in possession of weapons in secret will come out of hiding, to register, therefore, will be controlled. Putting out the weapon sector from shadow economy will increase government earnings. Therefore, government will have an ability to control the amount of purchased and sold weapon by the tax increases. Strict control for people who have registered the gun will increase the responsibility of definite people for gun usage. Strict gun control can also contribute for further rampant of the crime. Statistics show that in countries with a free sale of weapons crime is not higher, and often lower than in those, where gun control is rather strict. Non-criminal legal guns shoot rarely, because their owners know that they are responsible for every shot they make. Statistics say that only one of 25-30 thousands legal guns is used for illegal purposes. This sounds quite positive, but it is a coin of two sides. The main argument of the people who are against gun control is the message to allow them to protect themselves and their families from the criminals.
Otherwise, people who are against the guns control minimization say that if guns caring becomes legal, the war at the streets will be common. In general, people do not hesitate to use any means of dispute resolution at the road, street, anywhere, and if people had guns, it would be natural to start shooting. People may find it dangerous to go out, because you can be accidently shot. Some people are very aggressive and they poorly control themselves when they are angry. In this case there can be a lot of victims that appeared in the wrong place and time. The free guns caring will increase the crime rate and the amount of people killed will increase, a lot of innocent people might be shot (Twohey). Therefore, legalization of weapons will lead to increased levels of aggression in the relationship between people and the increase in the number of crimes and murders, including domestic homicides (the main instrument of domestic murder is a knife). This will also lead to the increased probability of an “accidental” death of any innocent person and, as a consequence, the overall reduction in safety. Legalization after the forbidden times will increase the attractiveness of weapon possessing, provoking the expansion and open expression of interest from the public. Many people will buy weapons, not because they feel the threat of attack, but because some of their friends have the gun and it is “normal” to own it.
The list of the negative effects can be discontinuous. However, what about the right for self-protection written in the main document of the country, and due to it whether any gun control policy or law violates one’s rights? What about the black mark of the guns that enrich criminals all around the world?
The question of gun control is still open and it is hard to find the right position because it simply does not exist. Whatever solution will be found, it will bring both negative and positive results into the life of ordinary citizens. It is very important that people think about this question. The laws concerning gun control will be changed, however, nobody knows what the solution will be.
Works Cited
Moorhouse, John C. Wanner. Does Gun Control Reduce Crime or Does Crime Increase Gun Control? The Cato Journal 1 Jan. 2006. Print.
Twohey, Megan. Gun Control. National Journal 1 Apr. 2000. Print.