Gun Use In Self Defense

Now most Americans cite self-defense as their reason for owning a gun, but how often are firearms actually used for that purpose? A study found that guns are used for defensive measures approximately 2.5 million times each year, that’s only 1% use of a gun for defensive purposes. To add to that, people who use guns are 4.5% more likely to be shot in an assault than those who are unarmed (Kiger,

In addition, with previous facts, statistics, opinions, etc. it cannot be denied that guns keep people that have them safe. Bad things happen, and bad people are out there using guns incorrectly, but if someone had to choose between having a gun to defend themselves in a situation that called for it and not having one…well, one would presume the choice to have a gun would have been chosen. Why? Because that person knows that if they had a gun they would have a better chance at survival. From the article “Guns Protect People” criminologist Gary Kleck reports that people who own guns are reported using their guns 2.5 million times per year to fight off an attack. He reported that once every 13 seconds someone was using their gun to keep themselves safe (Harris Para. 6). It only makes sense that one thing that would deter a criminal is that someone they are trying to hurt will have a gun. Even the notion that someone has a gun could ward of someone unwanted, because no one really wants to take the chance of someone shooting them in defense. Knowing that is sometimes what helps people get to sleep at night. Clair Schwan, the editor of the Libertarian Logic Web site, states that “Prohibition of concealed carry is a prohibition of choice, and a prohibition of self-defense. Both of those prohibitions are wrong.” (Para. 4). Something put so simply but has such a deep meaning to the fight that is currently going on today. Guns keep people safe and taking away those guns is

Guns have numerous uses besides killing your fellow man. Hunting is a big reason to own a weapon. Across the country, people hunt game; small and big. Some people might see this as a cruel act, but in most states the White Tailed Dear is amazingly overpopulated. Not many complain when you kill a cow to eat a hamburger, so it shouldn't be an issue to go hunting. People also enjoy shooting guns at targets. You can do long range sniping with rifles, shoot clay pigeons in the air with shot guns, or shoot targets with a hand gun. Each hobby is completely harmless, and enjoyable. Along with the recreational activities that firearms make possible, there is self defense. Let's face it - if you're in your home at night with an intruder in the house, who will act faster, 911 or a firearm in the hands of a trained user? The answer is obvious. In an emergency situation, a firearm is almost an essential. One might argue that the odds of you being held up in your own house are slim; well so are the odds of a gun related death. If a gun user is properly trained, a gun can and would protect people in case of an emergency.

My first claim is that guns help more in self defense if it was under the Second Amendment than it would do more harm. According to the Gun Owners of America self defense using firearms are used at least 2.5 million times a year, the majority of these cases usually involve the carrier brandishing or showing their firearms to scare their attackers away, only 8 percent of the time is someone is shot and killed in a act of self defense. Also It was statistically proven as said by Concealed Nation

The worry many people have nowadays is that guns will end up in the wrong hands. Hands of those who commit crimes or the mentally ill who cannot handle certain situations well. Another concern anti-gun activists have is trying to protect society from gun violence. Recently there have been mass shootings in schools, public events, and even work places. The concern of safety by citizens is rising after these horrific events happen. It's the reasoning behind why those who speak about restricting guns have an opinion like that because anything is unpredictable. Likewise, ProConorg Headlines continues to discuss the restrictions on guns as a necessity. Conservatives will dispute that opinion and claim guns are essential for self defense. However, it is claimed, “Of the 84,495,500 property crimes committed between 2007 and 2011, 0.12% of victims (103,000) protected themselves with a threat of use or use of a firearm" (“Gun Control - ProCon.org.”). Most liberals would argue that it is rarely heard of that a gun was used for self defense. They take these statistics to prove guns aren't often used as a self defense method to those who claim citizens need guns for safety and protect themselves. It's a very small percentage of the household crimes that a gun was used in self defense. The other part of the percentage of crimes are the ones who are committed by people who are looking to do crime. These stats give them evidence in their argument that we do not need guns in our society because they cause more harm than they do involving us protecting ourselves. In addition to those who are against guns, they feel as if the intention of the second amendment was stretched way beyond its meaning. According to the Progressive Cynic, it is said, “In order to do this, these gun

Gun control laws should not be enacted because people need them for self defense. In fact, guns are used for self defense 2.5 million times a year.

Self-defense is one of my main reasons for being against strict gun control laws. This world is a dangerous place, and how would someone defend their homes if it were to be invaded, and they did not have a gun to protect themselves. A good person who has a legal gun can protect themselves from a dangerous individual, and protect others around them. Guns provide security to us in these dark times. They should only be accessible to those who are mentally competent and responsible. By making laws stricter, the feeling of security can be taken away. Which is a right of all American citizens to feel safe and secure. “The fear of being shot is often enough to dissuade criminals from targeting certain homes” (Safewise.com). Having a gun creates fear in criminals. As you can see, strict gun control violates security and safety.

“Americans want solutions to our nation's gun violence epidemic which kills more than 30,000 and injures almost 70,000 each year and understand that widespread carrying of concealed weapons isn't the answer; it's part of the problem” (Lovelace). Most states do not prohibit the carrying of a concealed weapon in places where a large amount of defenseless people gather and where there are a lot of personal conflicts. Concealed carry permits were claimed to decrease crime rate, but in reality crime rate has increased, and there were claims of use for defense but when evaluated by judges they say that what they consider defensive about half of them are illegal. “Even when a gun is used in self-defense, which is rare, the research shows that it is no more likely to reduce a person's chance of being injured during a crime than various other forms of protective action. One recent study suggests that carrying a firearm may actually increase a victim's risk of firearm injury during the commission of a crime” (Lovelace). Carrying a weapon as a young adult, can be dangerous but what about those that join the

Self defense is a fundamental right that the government as stated in the bill of rights. The Second Amendment states the right to bear arms. Now all of the sudden the government wants to change that. Thomas Jefferson states “The greatest danger to the American freedom is a government that ignores the constitution.” Here’s the thing. Guns don’t kill people; people kill people. If we eliminate guns it just makes it

Guns used 2.5 million times a year in self-defense. Law-abiding citizens use guns to defend themselves against criminals as many as 2.5 million times

Whether a gun is used for self-defense or not, it’s primary purpose is to hurt someone. According to Nowicki and Kopel (2008), when one is attacked by someone or is involved in a crime, first thing in mind is to take action and get that person away even if it means hurting them. In addition, both parties agree a person should know when is appropriate to use a gun. Dershowitz (2012) states that guns should only be used in the military or by law enforcement and Nowicki and Kopel also state that guns help law enforcement and should be used in self-defense. Both parties agree that guns are present in violent acts, either in a negative or positive manner.

Following this, supporters believe taking away firearms reduce crime. At this time, states with hardly any firearm ownership have a 114 percent lower firearm murder rate and 60 percent lower homicide rate than states with many firearm ownership. (Ruben, Alan) Certainly allowing people to carry a firearm doesn't reduce crime but rather increase. At this point, some people point out the concern that owning a firearm in a house hold thus, is more likely to be used for harm instead of self defense.Having a gun in your home is 22 times more likely to be a part of criminal assault, unintentional shootings, suicide, or homicide rather than to injure or kill in self defense. (Ruben, Alan) Surprisingly owning a gun is more likely to cause harm instead of prevent. Hence, advocates state that guns are only there to harm or kill people. Subsequently, guns took 31,224 American lives in accidental shootings, suicides, and homicides. This is about 85 firearm related deaths per day. About 70,000 Americans were in the hospital for nonfatal gunshot wounds. (Ruben, Alan) Definitely firearms took a toll on many people espically since this is just in one year. By having firearms we multiply the danger that someone will get hurt. And because of this about 31k people die each

In the whole of the United States of America, severe debate on gun control has assumed two distinct and unique routes: the legal as well as criminological routes. Criminologists have posed questions regarding whether the several gun controls rules will minimize crime and other improper use of gun, or whether limiting gun control legislation will deny harmless victims of an effective way of self-defense. Legal researchers on gun control have researched on whether the freedom to firearms assurance within the federal structure as well as majority of state constitutional structures present legitimate obstructions to limits or firearm confiscation. The paper examines the issue of gun control in a unique way; to look deeper into the ideological structures of the United States gun control discussion.

According to Adubato steve he stated that in the 2011 gallup poll, 47 percent of American adults keep at least one gun at home or on their property. There are millions of guns being handed out everyday, but do we know who are the ones who are buying them. There are an estimated 280 million to 300 million guns in private hands in america (goldberg). Many legally owned, many not (goldberg). “Today the number of concealed-carry permits is the highest it’s ever been, at 8 million, and the homicide rate is the lowest it’s been in four decades” (goldberg). “People who seek to obtain permits are likely to be people who respect the law”(goldberg). According to John Lott, an economist and gun-rights advocate who maintains that gun ownership by law-abiding citizens help curtail crime, the crime rate among concealed-carry permit holders is lower than the crime rate among police officers” (goldberg).Goldberg stated that “Guns are responsible for roughly 30,000 deaths a year in America; more than half of those deaths are suicides. In 2010, 606 people, 62 of them children younger than 15, died in accidental shooting”. Background checks, which are conducted by licensed guns shops, have stopped almost 1 million people from buying guns at these stores since 1998 (Goldberg). James Martin stated a good point which is “ Guns don’t kill people, people do.” I personally disagree with that because if people wouldn’t have guns they wouldn’t kill. James Martin also thinks the same thing he stated “ Of course people kill people; just as people also procure abortions, decide on euthanasia and administer the death penalty. Human beings are agents in these matters. The question is not so much how lives are ended, but how to make it more difficult to end lives,”and as clarke says “if the american people are to confront this scourge in any meaningful way, then they must change. The constitution must change. The american

Self defense and guns usually don’t mix. Out of the 29,618,300 violent crimes committed between 2007 and 2011, only 235,700 victims (0.79%) protected themselves with the use or threat of a firearm. In 2010 there were 230 “justifiable gun homicides” against felons out of the