Is Gun Control Really Needed

From crime to theft or even police brutality, gun control in the United States has always been a problem. Gun control always seems to be a hot topic when talking about how to prevent crimes across America. Many say that firearms can be dangerous when placed in the wrong hands. This is why the government has placed several laws on gun control. However, gun control does not make up one problem in many states and countries; instead, gun control is several problems. In crimes where a gun was involved, many people have either died or have been seriously injured. This is why most states and countries need to enforce gun control laws. The enforcement of these laws could help save the lives of many. Gun control should be stricter across the United States.

Mass shooting are defined as a shooting in which at least four people are killed. They seem to have constantly made headlines in the United States during the past year. During the past year there have been not only civilians shooting but police officers as well. Some gun advocates want states to ease weapons laws, but others do not. This shows how most people feel like gun laws are not as strict as they should be in more states than others. The term “gun culture” is used by both sides in explaining their respective views of the special role firearms have played in American history. Supporters and opponents of gun control disagree over the significance of firearms as an independent variable in explaining the high level of violence in the United States. The assault weapons ban had a built-in sunset clause, and it expired in 2004. Guns seem to be the most talked about topic over abortion. This is because gun control is the most controversial issue in American politics. It appeals strongly to the emotions of those who support it, as well as those who oppose further regulation of firearms. Anything involving guns is a bad thing no matter what circumstances they are under.

On the other hand, a great deal of people believe gun control is the best chance at reducing violent crimes. In America today there are between 250 and 300 million firearms in private hands. This is amounting to one weapon for every American. Gun makers across the country have been under increasing pressure since the fatal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. During this shooting, in February, 17 people were shot. The lawyers for the District of Columbia for 32 years had completely forbid its citizens to possess usable firearms. This included to want to carry firearms in homes for protection. Congress took little action to anything related to gun legislation over the past year. This was despite an earlier momentum that arose after Adam Lanza killed 26 students and adults in Newtown, Connecticut.

Gun rights advocates point with pride to the role that average Americans played in the Revolutionary War. Strong advocates of gun control see themselves struggling for a more civilized society against the “gun units” and profit hungry firearms manufacturers and dealers. On the other hand, most gun owners are law abiding citizens who believe they have a constitutional right to bear arm. This mindset is what should be changed in America. Miller states that, “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,”(Strasser Cornell Law School). With this being said most people want the gun control laws to be less strict. They think that people should be able to use guns as self defense and carry a firearm. Despite such laws, the nation continues to suffer from one mass shooting after another. The deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in United States history occurred in June when a man, with an assault-type rifle and a handgun, who opened fire inside a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. According to many sources, due to gun control many states are trying to make stricter laws on gun control. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg outlined plans to create an advocacy group to counter the National Rifle Association.

Some state governments have passed tougher gun laws despite opposition to such measures by the National Rifle Association (N.R.A.) and its allies in Congress. There was a time when the N.R.A., founded in 1871, focused specifically on hunting, marksmanship and conservation, and was willing to compromise on gun legislation. In 2005, President George W. Bush signed a law protecting firearms manufacturers, importers and dealers from lawsuits by victims of crimes involving guns. In a way gun control could be a good thing but at the same time it could be a bad thing. This is because people can argue and say that they use guns for self-defense. In this case, it would be acceptable to carry a gun, but at the same time people can end up using that gun for the wrong reasons. Likewise people own guns for hunting purposes. Most of the time people hunt animals, but sometimes humans can be mistaken for wildlife when hunting.

In America, issues are not simple whenever guns are the hot topic. To a large extent gun control is something that many people heavily believe in. At the same time there are still quite a few people that do not believe in it. Congress remains stalemated on gun-related legislation, despite a shooting in September at a federal military facility. Lemons states that, “after congress failed to strengthen federal background checks following the 2012 Newtown, Conn., school massacre, movement shifted to state lawmakers, who enacted about twice as many laws loosening gun regulations as tightening them,”(Lemons). In this shooting, a dozen people were killed about a mile from the United States capitol. There was also a mass shooting that took place in 2014. Back then, there was a time when horror over gun violence stood a chance of prodding national politicians to act on their outrage. There was not always a problem with gun control in the United States, but people being careless with weapons have made it that way. This includes, but is not limited to, several situations including massive shootings. Other than massive shootings, gun control issues would include a person commiting a crime or a robbery.

High profile shootings in four southern cities in recent months have prompted some lawmakers to call for stricter state and federal firearm controls. By doing this and trying to make people more safe and feel like they are protected at all times. More than two years after the infamous Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, that left 20 children and six adults dead. During the shooting many people died due to gun control not being a priority and not being as strict as it is right now in the United States. Now as people can see is that in order for all these shooting and robberies to stop the United States need to be stricter on not only protecting the president, but also their countries and states during war and on the streets. Gun rights advocates have blocked White House plans to introduce new restrictions on automatic rifle ammunition sales. They did this, because bringing new restrictions on automatic rifle ammunition sales brings more troubles to not only people buying the guns for the wrong purpose, but also putting other people’s lives in danger of the people with these guns trying to run the streets. The pro-gun forces see themselves as the supporters of a vital constitutional right to keep and bear arms pitted against the “gun grabbers.” Gun grabbers are not necessarily a bad thing, but it can become one due to people not knowing what the right use of the guns are, which is to not kill. The main purpose is to use guns on mainly hunting wildlife which some people due and a large amount do not which is a bad example for others.

The constant comparison between no gun control and gun control will never be settled, but it can be resolved in many ways including an argument or debate over the topic. The gun control debate has now been going on for several years and people still have not found a way to completely stop gun violence. The strictness of gun control has partially been working but it has not yet reached its full potential. When in possession of a firearm, it could be a good or a bad thing. This depends on if one’s mind decided to use their weapon for good or evil. In this case the good side is not always good, and the bad side is not always bad. In certain situation during a robbery or a crime it is always good to have any form of self defense. That self defense does not including knowing how to fight, or having a weapon, but having possession or carrying a firearm. Gun control can be a good thing, but can also be a bad thing to a certain extent, due to people getting shot or murdered while having and not having a firearm which in most cases people are defenseless without one.

Most people with a firearm use it wisely, while others do not. People should use guns only when their life is in danger. Which this means that people should not just carry a gun just to carry a gun. Instead, they should use it as self defense, in case something happens or someone else has a gun out and feel like he or she is trying to harm you.

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