In the United States there are many issues under hot debate. Some people are so set in their belief on a subject that they won’t even consider an opposing argument. Gun control is third on the list of subjects in which people are not willing to listen to the opposition’s argument. One side of the gun control argument is that we need more gun control. The opposing side says we don’t need stronger laws, or we need fewer laws. My stand on the argument is that we do not need stronger gun control laws. The thesis of this paper will focus on the argument against tougher gun laws. The anti thesis will focus on the opposition’s belief that there should be stronger gun control laws. Finally, the synthesis will focus on refuting the …show more content…
Further, despite the fact that gun ownership in the U.S. increased enormously during the 1990’s, there was a consistent, dramatic reduction of criminal violence. In fact, homicide and violent crime have plunged over the last 15 years. Considering that 18 of 25 countries surveyed had an increase of violent crime, America’s large decline is impressive. Moreover, Norway, Finland, Germany, France, and Denmark also have a high rate of private gun ownership, and the murder rates in these countries are as low as or lower than developed nations with less gun ownership (Kates & Mauser, 2007). Additionally, in states that have laws permitting concealed weapons for those who qualify, there has been a measurable reduction in violent crimes and murder. There are forty states that allow those who have permits to carry a handgun. Consequently, there are approximately 3.5 million U.S. citizens that are permitted to have a concealed weapon on their person, or in their car (Kates & Mauser, 2007). John Lott and David Mustard conducted a study on the concealed handguns law. They analyzed FBI crime statistics for the entire United States, covering the years from 1977 to 1992. With conservative approximations, states enacting the concealed weapons law had a reduction in rape by 5%, robbery by 3%, aggravated assault by 7%, and murder by 8.5% (Lott, n.d.).
Current Gun Control regulations do not deter violence and crime. It has been shown that places that have relaxed their gun control laws have a higher crime and death rate. Data proves that homicide rates “[...] among the metro areas whose principal city is in a state that requires some form of permit to purchase a gun, is 4.32 per 100,000 residents, compared with 5.74 among cities in no-permit states”(Bailey). This is evidence that there is a correlation between gun control and death rates. It is also proven with statistical evidence that places with the least amount of gun control have the most violence. Statistics show that “‘none of the states with the most gun violence require permits to purchase rifles, shotguns, or handguns. Gun owners are also not required to register
In America, the average amount of people shot per year is 100,000; over ten thousand defenseless people are murdered. The Second Amendment’s proclamation 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” has been an extensive topic of debate. Moreover, the amendment has been one of many debates over the several years throughout America. The discussion of gun control is often debated as to whether or not it is morally right to legally bypass the Second Amendment to avoid unlawful uses of arms. The Second Amendment allows citizens to carry firearms specifically for protection, gun control hinders that right and places civilians’ lives in danger. In short, the U.S. government’s intrusive restrictions on gun laws prevent law-abiding citizens from defending themselves with firearms.
From the beginning of our nation up to today, we as a country have debated some of the most trying topics known to man. One topic that continues to make its way into our everyday lives is the epic “Gun Rights vs. Gun Control” argument. Opinions on both sides range from moderate to extreme, and some have even attempted extreme measures to get their points across. No matter what side of the argument you fall on, chances are, at some point, you can see the other point of view. It is this that causes such great dilemmas when attempting to put to rest one of the greatest debates in American history.
Lott Jr. “States that implemented ‘shall-issue’ concealed carry laws reduced murders by 8.5%, rapes by 5%, aggravated assaults by 7%, and robbery by 3%” (Concealed Guns ProCon.org). Lott is an economist and political commentator who analyzed this data in a study during 2000. Also, states with more restrictive concealed carry weapon laws had a 10% higher murder rate. These statistics clearly reflect the advantages of having concealed carry policies and the disadvantages of not having policies implemented. These statistics also show that concealed carry does indeed deter criminal
After enacting laws that allow permitted adults to carry a concealed weapon a number of states have witnessed significant, and even rapid, declines in crime rates, including murder, rape, and assault.
People in this country assume that more guns will equal more crime. This is simply not true. States with shall issue permits have 10% fewer gun homicides than may issue States. After Florida passed their shall issue concealed carry law, the State saw homicide rates fall from 36% above the National average, to 4% below the average. Another argument that is commonly made, is that people who conceal carry are more likely to commit crimes now that they can lawfully carry a firearm. That statement is yet another myth in the debate of gun control. Since 1988, crime rates involving concealed carriers has consistently been around .02%. People possessing a concealed carry permit are 6 times less likely to be arrested for a violent crime, and 13 times less likely to be arrested for a non-violent offense. This facts are also echoed by the National law enforcement community, who adamantly support Americans right to defend themselves. A study that was issued in 2013, found that 91% of law enforcement personnel believe concealed carry should be permitted, “without question and further restrictions.” Another 2013 study by a National police gun policy organization, found that 86% of law enforcement officers in the United States believe that concealed carry is the single most effective way to stop mass casualty shootings. Concealed weapons are frequently used to prevent crimes and mass shootings in the United States. A Florida State University study asked 4,978 people, if they have used a concealed weapon in any way, to prevent or stop a crime. 1.33% of respondents reported having done so within the past year. If you multiply these numbers to fit the United States population, that would come to 1.9 million crimes that have been prevented by a concealed firearm. The numbers and facts present do not lie. If you put these statistics next to the testimony from law enforcement, you cannot deny the
It’s a quiet, Sunday afternoon. The rain is coming down outside, and the sound of it makes for a relaxing ambiance. You open a few windows and the front door to better enjoy the calming effect of the rainfall. Going into the kitchen, you decide to make a cup of coffee so you can sit down and read the Sunday paper. Suddenly, a man bursts into your home carrying a small pistol and comes running towards you. You manage to shut the kitchen door and go through the pantry into your hallway. Running up the stairs, you turn around and see the man coming up behind you. You make it to your bedroom, slamming the door shut behind you, running to get to your cell phone in your backpack. Much to your dismay, you realize it is downstairs in the living
America has always prided itself on being the land of the free. Our national Constitution and Bill of Rights have ensured that the people of America maintain their basic rights. Nevertheless, many of the rights guaranteed in these historic documents are often the subject of heated debate. The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee against self-incrimination, the First Amendment’s protection of speech and petitioning activity, all of these issues have been subject to contentious arguments in courts of law and the courts of public opinion. Of late, however, the most lengthy, argumentative and noisy debates have focused on gun control. Some people think that
Concealed weapons get rid of crime. States that allow concealed carry have lowered murders by 8.5%, rapes by 5%, aggravated assaults by 7%, and robbery by 3%. What that means is that states that allow concealed carry have lowered gun related assaults. Along with that a 2013 writers associated with Applied Economic Letters, found that between 1980 and 2009, states that did not have concealed carry permit available had gun-related murder rates that were 10% higher. This is explaining that states
In looking over how gun control single handily affects crime, advocates of gun control continue to argue that restrictions on firearm accessibility, handguns in particular can reduce the rate of firearm-related crimes, suicides, and accidental deaths.. People that oppose gun control argue that it won’t reduce crime, because it would embolden criminals, who manages to secure firearms, to attack citizens whom are to be believed unarmed. When it comes to debating the issue as to whether or not gun control is constitutional, the focus is mainly on the Second Amendment and it’s what it means. Gun-control advocates argue that the Second Amendment refers only to the arming of a State militia and cite court cases that have offered this interpretation. Gun-control opponents maintain that the "right to bear arms" is guaranteed not only to members of a State militia but also to every citizen. In debating whether or not gun ownership is an effective means of self-defense, opponents of gun control use situations where as gun ownership stopped or prevented a crime from happening. Gun- control advocates tend to use statistics that show a gun in the home place is more likely to kill a family member rather than its intended purpose.
One may attribute the increased rate of violence in the U.S. to guns, and while this may hold some truth, the fact remains that the mere presence of guns does not cause violence. Gun ownership is at about twenty five percent per capita in Switzerland, yet the homicide rate was about point five per hundred thousand residents, according to the Swiss Federal Government. Violence rates in the U.S. are not just because of the presence of guns; guns and peace can coincide. In addition to this, tighter legal regulations do not necessarily reduce violence, as about seventy nine percent of gun crimes are caused by illegal gun owners, according to a study conducted by Pittsburg’s Graduate School of Public Health and the Bureau of Police. Why would one with the desire to commit a crime bother obtaining a gun legally when the same gun could be purchased
In States that have laws allowing concealed weapons for those who meet the requirements, there has been a measurable reduction in violent crimes and murder. In the forty states that allow those who have a permit to carry a handgun, there are approximately 3.5 million citizens permitted to have a concealed weapon on their person or in their car. (Kates & Mauser, 2007) A study completed by John Lott and David Mustard showed that states enacting the concealed weapons law had a reduction in rape by 5%, robbery 3%, aggravated assault by 7% and murder by 8.5%. (Lott,
Do you believe that gun control reduces crime? Guns have been a problem in America for quite some time now and the role of guns in very many people's lives has become routine. The reason is self defence. Guns are a mean of protection, it could be from someone protecting themselves from a robbery or just protection their families. The United states has been fighting the gun ban law, but most americans aren't gonna give their guns up. Gun control does not reduce crime at all in the united states.
Gun control is a leading concern in America today. Recent shootings and murders today have people scared and pushing forward for gun control acts. In my opinion there should not be gun control acts on any guns besides automatic guns because, automatic guns should strictly be for military use only. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Many people push for gun control, but the effects of gun control are too severe. In this paper I claim to tell about the reasons why someone would push for gun control and the negative effects resulted by gun control.
Next, the comparison of countries and cities that have reduced legal gun ownership with those that had an increase in legal gun ownership will show how crime was affected. In 1998, the United Kingdom put the Firearms Act in place as an answer to a shooting spree at a primary school in Dunblane, Scotland. The act banned all private citizens from owning handguns. According to Joyce Lee Malcolm, a law professor at George Mason University, violent crime increased after the law was instated (Domenech 28). Whereas, in the United States, an increase in legal gun ownership has seen a decrease in overall crime rate. Based off of a report from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2013, 200 million guns were legally owned in the nation in 1994 compared to the 300 million legally owned guns in 2013 yet there were 1.3 million violent crimes involving firearms in 1994 compared to the estimate of 350,000 violent crimes involving firearms in 2011 (Domench 28). In short, the data shows that gun prohibiting policies do not always lead to a decrease in violent crime. On the contrary they can correlate to an increase in crime.