In Chapter 12, LaFollette (2007) discusses gun
control. Do citizens have a right to bear arms? Answer the question in your
reflection blog. State your opinion and follow up your position with supporting
documentation. Next, present the opposing side to your stance. Use external
sources to enhance your claims.
Gun control has been a major topic for the
government and society for quite some time now. As the years go on and gun laws
are put into place, there is a constant battle on what is and isn’t too much
control. Many individuals have different views on the safety of guns and why
they should or shouldn’t have a place in our society. Disasters such as
Columbine and even more recent incidents and more common occurrences in school
shootings is putting pressure to make gun laws as tight as they can be to
ensure the safety of our school systems and society as a whole.
While gun laws and ownership have both pros and
cons, we need to be sure to take as many things into consideration as we can so
a clear picture is put forth on what we face with certain existing gun laws or
some that have not yet been created. Those who are for gun control state that guns
should not be eligible for sale as criminals can either steal or purchase guns
in order to steal or commit crimes resulting in dangerous situations and
circumstances. The other side of this argument is that even when guns are
bought legally to civilians, sometimes care is not taken when background checks
and security is done to ensure that the gun being sold is to someone who does
not have a criminal background. Some sellers are more concerned with obtaining
their money and don’t think about the consequences that selling this gun can
have.
Some gun laws also have loopholes that allow for
rules to be broken when buying or selling guns allowing for criminals to obtain
them illegally. Another topic of gun ownership is when an honest buyer does buy
a gun however is careless with the information he/she provides on where their
gun is located or does not leave the gun in a safe place, leaving access to
criminals, children or other individuals looking to obtain the gun or
accidentally obtaining it. This is extremely dangerous as many of the school
shootings or accidental shootings that take place are because the guns were
purchased, stolen or obtained from careless individuals or even friends or
family members.
While we could probably go on for days on the
reasons guns have no place in society, we also need to reflect on the positives
of guns in society as there are always those who will see the pros of a topic. Individuals,
who are against full gun control, state that even if guns were completely
illegal, criminals would still find a way of obtaining them and using them for
destruction. As criminals obtain their fire arms illegally most of the time
then the real issue would be guns being for sale for any type of safety or
sport all together. In this case, only governmental agencies, law enforcement
and the military should have access to them. The argument for making guns
completely illegal is that the more illegal the guns are made the more it may
entice criminals to want to obtain them. Criminals tend to have motives to
break the law regardless of the laws that are set into place. If we really make
guns illegal, will it help any or will it make matters worse?
The issue this also brings up is the argument that
gun laws punish honest citizens who are using them only for sport or for safety
and are extremely careful with the care they have for handling their guns. Guns
are meant to protect those who have ownership of them. If we are unable to
protect ourselves, how fair is it that that privilege is taken away from us all
because of the carelessness of other individuals? In my opinion, guns are
dangerous and should not be in the hands of those who are careless, however I
do feel that certain individuals have a place to protect themselves and their families
as best as they can. I also understand that there are tragedies all over the
world that are occurring because of the carelessness of guns, but to me I think
that there will always be a place for evil and negativity in the world. It doesn’t
matter the consequences we place on the individuals creating the crimes,
disasters are still going to occur. I think that society should absolutely have
laws on a number of things especially guns in our homes and communities, but I
also believe that it can be difficult to gage what is too much and what is
enough.
References
Concealed
Guns ProCon.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://concealedguns.procon.org/
Gun
Control: Pros and Cons. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://lesliebyars.hubpages.com/hub/Gun-Control-Pros-and-Cons
Pros
& Cons of Gun Ownership Laws for Individuals, Gun Control Laws. (n.d.).
Retrieved from
http://usliberals.about.com/od/patriotactcivilrights/i/ProConGunLaws.htm
Pros
and Cons of Gun Control. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://prosandconsofguncontrol.net/
Cassandra
R.
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