Argumentative Essay On Gun Ownership

Even though a criminal intends to use the firearm in an illegal way, they can still obtain it though legal means, some not knowing they will commit a crime with the weapon in the future. Criminals and people who are not in the right frame of mind are the reason that gun control is such a major issue, especially for law-abiding citizens who live with a set of more restricted rights due to this issue.

According to a report by the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey, the United States has about 35-50 percent of the world’s civilian-owned guns and has less than 5 percent of the world’s population. With no restriction and so much freedom, firearms can be distributed throughout the United States illegally and obtained as easy as buying it from a person, disregarding all gun laws. Implementing stricter background checks can help reduce the amount of crime relating to gun violence. It can also keep firearms away from those who shouldn’t have possession of them.

Gun control laws do not deter crime; gun ownership deters crime. A Nov. 26, 2013 study found that, between 1980 and 2009, "assault weapons bans did not significantly affect murder rates at the state level" and "states with restrictions on the carrying of concealed weapons had higher gun-related murders." While gun ownership doubled in the twentieth century, the murder rate decreased. John R. Lott, Jr., PhD, author of More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, stated, "States with the largest increases in gun ownership also have the largest drops in violent crimes... The effect on 'shall-issue' [concealed gun] laws on these crimes [where two or more people were killed] has been dramatic. When states passed these laws, the number of multiple-victim shootings declined by 84 percent. Deaths from these shootings plummeted on average by 90 percent and injuries by 82 percent." A Dec. 10, 2014 Pew survey found that 57% of people believe that owning a gun protects

According to “Closing Illegal Gun Markets”, “Forty percent of all annual firearm sales are through secondary or informal markets which involves felons, friends, and family and do not go through licensed retailers.” That number is almost half of all gun sales and of the half that go through licensed retailers. It is unknown how many people are purchasing guns for people who could not buy one legally. The problem with illegal gun purchases lies in the national background check system that is used, when someone purchases a gun at a licensed retailer. When these people go into buy a weapon, we have no idea what their intentions are. If they can pass the background check they are able to walk out with any guns they chose, from there these guns can end up in anyone’s hands. Background checks are not sufficient to stop gun violence due to back doors in the system and lack of punishment for offenders.

This paper will argue on the reasoning of why groups are advocating for gun control because of school shootings and other tragedies associated with firearms. This paper will also argue that, while American citizens should not have their firearms regulated because it violates the Second Amendment of the American Constitution, screening for certain medical problems and mental illnesses, as well as background checks into criminal records, should be conducted as a requirement to make a legal purchase.

Gun control; two words that have many people on the edge of their seats. One of the most controversial issues in America currently, and it comes up time and time again when another person is killed from gunfire. Some people believe the issue is a personal one. “Let me have my guns,” they say. The realistic questions to ask them in response are; where will you get “your guns?” How responsible are you? What is your intention with these guns? Have you ever committed a felony? These are not unreasonable questions. In most background checks these questions are asked. However, there are too many loopholes in the system for these checks to matter. The majority of people who have guns aren’t getting them from the black market; most are buying them legally. A lot of people often buy them at gun shows as well, where, “Gun-show organizers say private sellers typically disregard the laws.” (Tampa Bay Times) The ethical question here is this; Is it right to allow gun violence to continue when there are proactive laws that could be enacted to prevent it?

Frightening statistics, point to handguns in particular as being the most dangerous and misused firearm in society. Some statistics indicate that crime linked to handguns is as high as 90%, Stevens, (1997). These statistics cannot be confirmed but has people questioning the legitimacy of “handgun “ownership in particular.

As the debate over gun control continues to spread throughout the nation like the plague, everyone is trying to choose a side. Some argue that their Second Amendment Rights are being infringed on, however, when looked at in detail that is not the case. Many others argue the decrease of guns is not beneficial because criminals are okay with doing illegal things, therefore they will obtain guns anyway. There is much, however, to disprove that. These weapons are the reason why the United States has such a high rate of violence even with such high wealth. The cost of gun violence has continued to rise over the years in medical bills. Criminals should not have the access they are currently have to such destructive weapons. Gun control must be put in place in order to decrease much of the violence and suicides the United States has.

The United Sates has one of the highest rates of gun related violence. The major factors on gun violence are the powerful types of guns expressly designed for killing people and the lack of preventing all gun violence. America talks about death by gun violence. Gun control can come from all types of things in the world. 240,000 guns are given to minors without parents even knowing that they have one. The gun owners can sell a gun without having a background check and will not get in trouble for it. According to Gutierrez, “Anybody will sell you a gun…I mean no matter what, if you want a gun and you show them the money, and tell them you want to buy it, he’s going to definitely sell it to you” (3). The U.S. should have stricter gun control laws

If more strict background checks were implicated, would these new checks prevent criminals and the mentally ill from buying these weapons legally? Background checks would only be effective for those who legally buy a weapon through a registered store. For people who cannot pass this check, they may look for another option, this would most likely be to purchase through an illegal market or steal them from another person. This can be supported by the quote “Background checks will never be “universal” because criminals will never submit to them” (NRA 25). Background checks can also be looked upon like a ban, but only for those who do not pass the check, if the person wants the gun or illegal weapon, they will

Every year, thousands of people are murdered by handguns in the United States. These deaths occur because “...there are almost as many guns as people” (Cukier and Sidel 41). Faulty background checks, or no background checks at all make it easier for the wrong kinds of people to get their hands on firearms; including those who are mentally ill. For those who are mentally ill, less in-depth background checks make fatality rates increase. Suicides by firearm shadow attempted homicide deaths. Wendy Cukier and Victor W. Sidel state, “Fatality rates for

The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibited criminals, minors, the mentally ill, illegal aliens, and drug addicts from legally purchasing handguns (Landau 81). President Obama’s proposals for background checks and restrictions on high – capacity magazines and assault weapons was supposed to help keep innocent people out of harm’s way (Winkler). Numerous states and some localities have their own gun control laws that place further restrictions on the possession and sale of firearms. However, criminals will always bigger, stronger, and more vicious. Therefore, citizens must have the right to defend themselves. Guns give any person the ability to fight any battle and have a chance to survive. God made man, guns made all men equal.

First and foremost, gun-related crimes have expended in recent years so guns cannot be an issue concerning these crimes (Gopnik). In over the past twenty years, guns sales have swelled tremendously. What people do not know, is with these sales expanding

Gun control in the US was first mentioned in the 1980’s. As the U.S. weaponry became more advanced and efficient we began to see the need to protect ourselves from the people around us. The right and ability to defend yourself is a right and ability everyone should have, but now we have evolved to the point where we are arming and increasing the danger that people face. The increase of mass shootings has raised the call for legislation to a fevered pitch for the men, women, children killed by insane men and women. There are mentally ill people all over the world, but the U.S. is the one of the only place that arms them efficiently. There are two viewpoints on this issue which is debated greatly across all platforms. Gun control is the belief we should regulate guns and create legislation to that limits access, weapons and ammo and then there's Gun rights advocates, those against any kind of limiting or infringing on the rights of the people. Carter Gregg Lee is a professor in sociology at Bryant University. “The magnification hypothesis is supported when one considers the lethality effect that assault by guns produces. Numerous studies confirm that gunshot wounds are much more likely to result in death than wounds inflicted by a knife. In comparing U.S. violence rates to those of its peer nations, gun control advocates observe that assaults in the United States are more likely to involve guns.” ("Magnification Hypothesis." ) Mr. Carter Lee has created a hypothesis that there is a correlation between gun prevention and homicide rates. As a gun Control advocate, he points his argument toward the actual damage and destruction caused directly by guns. Dr.Evan L Lipkins is an Internist in Glennville Illinois. He states “Creating jobs, teaching values in school, early screening for mental health and helping broken families may be far more important than taking guns away from people.” This is a common argument in Gun control circles. But to state that its a singular problem is completely illogical. While it's true that earlier mental health screenings would definitely be beneficial it won’t eradicate the problem. As long as guns are readily available to anyone who wants them The problem will continue to . People

“The second amendment of The United States Bill of Rights is my concealed weapons permit, period.”- Ted Nugent. Saving lives one by one starts with limiting the purchase, sale, and use of guns in America. According to Alexander Lee, the political and social debate over the question of how much gun control is appropriate and it has been regularly discussed within the last decade. Shootings such as Sandy Hook, and Tucson shootings have raised the government’s awareness on guns and possible restrictions and regulations. Gun talks are discussed with the question, “Will controlling guns cut back on violent crime rates?” Although many guns are open to be sold to the public over 18, there are traditional gun laws that limit who can own them. These laws include sell restrictions to the mentally disabled, the age in which you can obtain a gun, background checks, and dishonorably discharged military personnel. Gun control laws could have a positive effect in America by reducing homicide rates, but at the same time, citizens still have the right to bear arms under the second amendment under the U.S constitution. Gun control laws do not mean the absolute confiscation of guns, but rather reduce the amount of power a gun and the amount of ammo that a gun can hold.