A634.8.3.RB - Gun Control: What is the Answer?

I know there are many people out there who think and feel that guns do nothing but kill or harm others.  However, I feel that guns have a purpose in our society.  The media, however, does not show a positive view of gun ownership--only the negative side of what happens when guns are a part of a bad situation.  The Second Amendment to the US Constitution protects the rights of American citizens to keep and bear arms.  This is an amendment that many hold sacred and dear; but as with anything positive, there is also a negative.  By the same token, during the time that this amendment was established, they did not have semi automatic assault weapons.  For the last ten years, the debate continues in our society regarding personal gun ownership and the true necessity for it as well as the necessity of the types of guns that are being kept in American homes.  I would like to consider myself as a responsible gun owner; I do maintain all weapons in a safe manner and away from my kids.  However, I do not own any weapons such as the AR-15, M-16, and AK-47 that discharge large amounts of ammunition at rapid speeds.

I agree with author that it would be impossible to completely take guns off the street (LaFollette, 2007).  To even attempt such an action would most likely cause an underground movement equal to that of the prohibition.  I also agree that actions like requiring gun owners to purchase additional insurance would be a positive move because it helps with the accountability of being a gun owner (LaFollette, 2007).  I think that there should be restrictions and guidelines as to how a gun is obtained and who can obtain it.  Even though there are laws currently in place to regulate legal gun ownership, there needs to be stricter laws and a means of monitoring those laws.  The whole point of owning a gun is having the means necessary to protect oneself. Gun ownership has protected people since the founding fathers of our country created the 2^nd Amendment. Their goal was to protect us from the oppressive rule of the British. Today, we use their law to protect our property, family, and liberty (Gun Control, 2013).  It would seem to me that with out guns the tyranny feared by our fore fathers would surely come to fruition.  Let us think about the countless time police officer, sheriffs or other types of law enforcement officials have died trying to deliver a summons or protect an innocent person from a person firing a weapon.  If that officer or law enforcement official did not have that gun to protect themselves and other what would the outcome be in that situation?  I know there is another side to that situation; however, I am addressing the use of firearms as a measure of protection in a dangerous situation.

Tragic events like the massacre that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the shooting that occurred at the West Nickel Mines School, and the Columbine High School massacre have highlighted the flaws of our gun control laws. We must remember the destruction and chaos that comes with gun ownership.  It is said that guns kill people, not people.  One can take this statement and place it alongside the unfortunate events that our country faces.  When a weapon of any kind falls into the hands of someone who is inexperienced, unstable, and irresponsible—people get hurt.  The Aurora Theater shooting was a recent tragic event that proved that the “control” in gun regulations did not prove so useful.  James Eagan Holmes, the alleged gunman who took the lives of 12 people, was heavily armed before his attack.  For months in advance, Holmes had made several gun purchases in preparation (Memmott, 2012).  No one expected Holmes had been planning anything even though he had an extreme amount of ammunition and made numerous gun purchases prior to the shooting.  At the end of the day, it did not matter how many firearms were purchased.  All that matters is the innocent lives that were lost because of the senseless violence.

In conclusion, I can understand both sides of the debate; however I still don’t feel the need to own a semi automatic weapon.  Furthermore, human beings have the ever changing ability to try to circumvent each new law that is designed for their protection.  With that in mind, law enforcement, politicians, and even every day citizens have to work together just to keep up with those that seek to undermine gun control laws for their personal gain.  It is quite difficult, if not impossible, to determine each scenario that will lead to senseless gun violence.  It is equally difficult to determine each situation in which a gun may save someone’s life.  I suppose that means this debate will continue now and far into the future.  The true determining factor of gun control is the choices that each one of us chooses to make.

 

 

References

 

La Follette, H. (2007). The Practice of Ethics. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publish.

Memmott, M. (2012, July 21). Aurora Suspect: A 'Smart And Quiet Man' Who Allegedly Hid A 'Deadly Plan' Retrieved December 9, 2014, from http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/07/21/157154514/aurora-suspect-a-smart-and-quiet-man-who-allegedly-hid-a-deadly-plan

Nov 06 Pro or Anti Gun Control Only You Can Decide. (2013, November 6). Retrieved December 9, 2014, from http://prosandconsofguncontrol.net/