Persuasive Essay : Gun Control, Rights, Race, And Gun Rights

According to Nicholas Kristof’s article “our blind spot about guns” gun control is a lot like cars regulation such that if we can regulate cars we can regulate guns. It took a lot of time and effort but thanks to regulations cars are safer than they were many years ago, and the same is very possible with guns. We need to keep our country safe. The first steps to gun control are improving on background checks and also requiring trigger locks on all guns.

Did you know that in the United States almost 100,000 people are shot or killed with a gun in one year? 10,527 people die a year in handgun related incidents in the United States. This number, by far, outweighs the number of gun related deaths in countries such as Sweden, Great Britain, and Japan, which number 13, 22, and 87, respectively. What is the reason for such drastic differences in numbers? Sweden, Great Britain, and Japan are all countries that have stricter gun control laws than the US. Mind you, these are just the number of deaths caused by handgun related incidents; however, that isn’t counting the thousands of deaths caused by other types of firearms; in one year, around 30,000 Americans die in gun violence.

There is no need for gun control in America. In a study conducted in 2017, on the one hundred and eighty five mass shooters since 1900, about fifty nine percent have either been treated for a mental disorder or have reported signs showing serious signs of a disorder. Although guns are a big factor in mass killings I believe mental health is a major issue that has gone unaddressed for too long. Today's young generation known as Millenials are very much a “take action, without knowing all the risks” kind of people. Grant it, not all people who believe in stricter gun control are categorized under this generation, but the majority that does, belong in the category of Millenials. In my short life span I have seen how people's beliefs and political

There are many people who don’t know if they have a mental health condition. Apparently Paddock had a mental condition and was not addressed when he went to go purchase these weapons. When purchasing a gun they should either have a label or a sticker to indicate they can’t get a certain type of firearm because of their condition. Like Paddock anyone could just go out to as many guns as they want and get frustrated over the smallest thing and end up shooting at someone or at a place.

Recently, mass shooting is happening everywhere across the country once in a while, notably in Las Vegas and Texas. And even on our campus, a Soka alumni was arrested for threatening a “killing spree” last Friday. The debate about the gun control has been a hot issue throughout the history of the United States, yet during the interview after the mass shooting in Texas, President Trump responded "we could go into the gun control policy], but it's a little bit too soon.", and called the shooter a "very deranged individual" with "a lot of problems over a long period of time" rather than calling him a terrorist. The right to bear arms is one of the unique features in the American society. Only in the United States, Guatemala, and Mexico clearly states the right to bear arms in their constitution. The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States reads “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.”

Assault rifles are becoming the weapon of choice in these recent mass shootings. Since 2004, out of 48 mass shootings 13 of them included assault rifles. The assault rifle can be bought in many states starting at the age of 18. According to the gun control group, since 2009 individuals under the age of 21 committed two mass shootings with an assault rifle. Only one of the two rifles used was bought legally, which means just a single shooting where at least four individuals were shot and slaughtered could have been prevented. Everytown for Gun Safety reports, since 2009 there have been 156 mass shootings, eleven of these shootings were committed by individuals under the age of 21. Out of those 156 incidents 11 of those the shooter used an assault rifle. Although You have to be 21 to

The first legislative attempt of gun control was in 1934; it started the fight between the National Rifle Association, who believed it was unfair to the law abiding citizens to limit their rights, and lawmakers wanting to limit the amount of crimes. The debate has grown and changed immensely t over the years, but the issue is still there (Magoon). This year in Colorado, Senator Vicki Marble, Representative Stephen Humphrey, and Representative Lori Saine have been the Prime Sponsors for the repeal of the ban of possession and sales of large capacity magazines (Repeal Ammunition Magazine Prohibition). This is known as Senate Bill 17-007; it states that part 3 of article 12 of title 18 of The Colorado Revised Statutes should be repealed and adds a safety clause stating that it needs to be implemented for the “public peace, health, and safety” (Concerning the Repeal of Certain Provisions Concerning Ammunition Magazines). Large Capacity Magazines (LCMs) are generally defined as holding ten rounds or higher, but in the case for Colorado it is defined as holding 15 rounds or higher (Large Capacity Magazines). SB17-007 was introduced January 11, passed through the Senate but was indefinitely postponed by the House as of March 22 (“Repeal Ammunition Magazine Prohibition - SB 17-007”). Senate Bill 17-007 will repeal the ban on large firearm magazines; it should be passed because the prohibition has not shown any decrease of deaths in mass shootings and infringes on America’s second amendment right.

It is widely agreed that the United States has a very large number of guns compared to other countries. If guns really keep Americans safe, the United States would be the safest place in the world since it is estimated that 270 million firearms are owned. Compared to the world richest nations, the United States has the highest gun accidents, murders, and suicides among them all. An investigative report conducted in 2012 by Mother Jones Magazine found that between 1995 and 2012, the number of guns has increased by 50% while the population has increased only by 20% (Doeden). Firearm injuries are the second leading cause of injury death in the United States. In 2010, the percentage of homicides committed by firearms was 67.5 percent. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence estimated 97,820 people are shot and killed in the United States yearly, averaging 268 people per day, since 1972 (Newhard pp13). Unfortunately, with some many Americans killed by guns every day, shootings in the United States have become so common, many citizens have grown immune to the news.

Guns in most cases, can stop crimes from happening before they even happen. An example of this is from the book Guns, Crime, and Freedom by Wayne LaPierre:

There have been many mass shootings in our country lately. There was Dallas, Las Vegas, and other shootings at churches. One shooting at a church occurred in Tennessee right up the road from Florence. Shootings in churches have really scared people in the church. It is crazy to believe that in our country some people are scared to go to church because of shooters that could possibly come in and harm them. These shooters have no mercy on people. No matter how old or how young they are it does not matter to them. It takes a crazy person to shoot up a building full of all ages. One of the shootings a five year old was killed. That isn’t even close to right. The government shouldn’t control what kind of guns are sold. The government should control who’s buying the guns. Guns can be a very good thing. Many people like to hunt and that requires using a gun to enjoy their hobby. Others like maybe people who have been in the military just like to shoot guns for fun. Then you have the people who just like to collect guns that look good. Those are some good reasons to have guns. People also buy guns with the intention to harm others. That is where making it harder to buy guns would come in handy. It isn’t the gun that kills people, it is the person using the gun that kills people

Another major issue with gun violence is mental illness. The law’s provision on mentally ill is not that great. The court or other authority will stop gun possession by a person who is mentally ill; however, most people with this illness are never diagnosed or if they are they petition the court to have it reversed. Many of the mass shootings have been done by people who were known by others around them that they were mentally ill and yet they still owned guns legally (Perez-peNa).

Imagine yourself walking home late at night from a friends house. It is very dark and hard to keep track of your surroundings. suddenly you hear footsteps quickly approaching you from behind. when you turn around you see a masked man with a knife. You have only 5 seconds to act, what do you do.

Americans should think twice before accepting gun control. Some restrictions on gun ownership help regulate the individuals that possess firearms, but other restrictions are a violation of the second amendment and therefore our basic rights as United States citizens. Firearms help individuals protect themselves and their families both on and off their property. Enacting gun control would only be ignoring the problem and saddling the burden on law-abiding gun owners. In the wake of violent crimes, such as mass shootings, the outcry should be against the perpetrator and the actions that led them to their decision, not the gun, or rather tool that was used.

As many as 30 Americans will be shot dead today. It is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. According to a recent study, the gun homicide rate in the United States is 25 times higher than in other wealthy countries (guardian.com). Sadly, most Americans are divided on whether the country should enforce stricter gun laws. Many, especially the Liberals, feel as though having firmer gun laws would significantly reduce the number deaths caused by gunshot. In contrast, the Conservatives feel that passing stricter gun laws would do little to change the behavior of criminals who commit violent crimes. The Second Amendment to the Constitution gives all citizens the right to bear arms, yet perhaps the true meaning of

Today there is a constant debate over whether or not there is a need for more legislation against guns and who can acquire them. With that the people who should be able to access these weapons must be responsible citizens who will use their guns for the purpose of protection or helping others. Although there are those who abuse their weapons and use them improperly, guns should not be made more difficult to purchase for the responsible citizens who could very well stop those individuals abusing their weapons. Adding more gun control laws will only disarm millions of americans in need of protection.