Gun Ownership In America
GUN OWNERSHIP IN AMERICA
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Introduction
In the year 1994, the Congress passed a comprehensive effort at the national gun control. This was the Brady Bill named for the press aide who was seriously injured in the assassination attempt on President Reagan imposed a five day waiting period for purchasers of guns and required the local law enforcement authorities to conduct background checks of all purchasers. The Supreme Court held that the background check provision was unconstitutional claiming that it infringed on state's rights. Presently, the law has been revised so that the background check is accomplished by the gun dealers through a national computer system and there is no longer a waiting period. Also, the Congress passed a ban on certain types of assault weapons which expired in the year 2004. The Senate voted to extend the ban but the House did not take any action and the ban was allowed to expire and the efforts to revive the ban have been unsuccessful. There has been little change in the views of these groups over the past year. However, a majority of citizens now say it is more important to protect gun rights, while others say it is more important to control gun ownership. This essay explains the reasons why the American citizens should be allowed to own guns.
Why should guns stay legal?
The American should be allowed to own guns self defense. This is one of the most powerful, and universal, reason for anyone to own a gun. All human beings possess a strong self-preservation urge, as well they should and a gun proves to be a very necessary tool one can have on hand to counter a threat to one's life, and/or the lives of other family members. The police cannot protect citizens, and even if they could, they do not posses any obligation to do so. We must accept responsibility for one's own security. To deny one the right to defend him/ herself from any threat is the most serious crime against humanity and can be in fact referred to as human enslavement (Hemenway D. 2007. Pg 64-6).
Whether the citizens are defending against individuals, gangs or against the government, guns ownership alongside the knowledge and ability to properly use them is just about the most powerful force there is. Armed citizens cannot be enslaved and as gun ownership increases, the rate of crime decreases. It's a win-win situation when more people are armed. Most instances of self defense do not even necessitate the firing guns but the mere presence of guns is usually enough (Lott R.2010. pg 100)
Also, limiting the rights of citizens to own guns put them on danger zones when dealing with criminals and protecting their families. If the criminals need guns, they purchase them on the streets, and can acquire whatever type of firearm of their choice. On the other hand when a citizen wishes to have a gun, he/she must choose from those which the government directs people to have. So, when the criminal breaks into the citizen's business or home, bearing any type of firearm he chooses, the citizen must defend himself or herself, his/her belongings, and his loved family members using an inferior legal firearm. Considering this, the gun control gives criminals an advantage over the law-abiding, armed citizens (Kleck G. 1997. Pg 178-179).
The ownership of guns should be legalized because the American Founding Fathers wanted the American citizens to be armed and skilled in the use of arms for protection against a totalitarian government. This is an excellent reason to own a gun and to be well-knowledgeable in its use. It's important to remember that gun ownership is the one human right which can ensure that other human rights are not violated. An armed person cannot be forced to concede his/her freedoms such as that of speech and worship.
In addition, the ownership of guns should be left to stay legal because they are used for the recreational uses including the target shooting, various shooting competitions, and even hunting. In the debates over the gun control, much weight should be attached to these recreational values (Lee G. 2002.Pg 205).
Finally, there are some citizens who want to own guns merely for their historical value. Perhaps there are some particular types of guns that have been celebrated in the history. The examples include the old Kentucky rifle and the Colt Peacemaker revolver (McLean K. 201.Pg 54). These two types pique a collector's sense of history. Therefore, many guns are pieces of history as much as they are tools for game-getting or self-defense and the citizens should be allowed to own them in order to preserve the historyBottom of Form
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no substantial reason for gun control exists. This control fails to control crime and criminals, while taking guns from the law-abiding Americans who use them only for defense and recreation. The time is at hand for the Americans to stand and defend their Second Amendment rights and make the anti-gun politicians aware that gun control has no place in the current society. The recent scholarship in the legal literature shows that the defensive uses of guns by the law-abiding citizens dwarfs the offensive gun uses by criminals. Many lives are saved by a gun for every life lost to a gun. Also, the medical expenses reduced by guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens are greater than the costs incurred by criminal uses of guns. Finally, the guns prevent injuries to good citizens and protect billions of money and properties every year.
References
Hemenway D. (2007). Private Guns, Public Health. University of Michigan Press.
Kleck G. (1997). Targeting guns: firearms and their control. Transaction Publishers
Lee G. (2002). Guns in American Society: A – L. ABC-CLIO.
Lott R.(2010). More Guns, Less crimes. University of Chicago Press.
McLean K. (2010). The story of Guns: How they changed the Word. Compass Point Books.
