A long-standing right to citizens of the United States is dwindling at the hands of government officials. The right to bear arms, protected by the 2nd amendment has been up for debate nationwide for over a decade. Fearing that the right to private gun ownership will soon be diminished, the topic has gained the attention of people nationwide. Theories surrounding gun control figure that without firearms in citizen possession murder rates and gun related violence should heavily decrease. This does not prove to be the case.
With two strong opposing sides, the debate remains unresolved. Pro Private Gun Ownership Newton Ignoring, politician, historian, and author stated that the constitution does not give citizens the right to bear arms; it says the right shall not be infringed. The founding fathers of this nation understood that this right is essential for the protection of liberty. These men experienced this first-hand during the battles of Lexington and Concord over 200 years ago. The first battle of the American Revolution was fought in defense of the right to bear arms against the British.
The colonial rebels were able to rise and feat the British at the mercy of their privately owned guns. Guns provide the protection of liberty, the protection of self, and family. Home invasions, break ins, and burglaries are a daily occurrence nationwide and worldwide. The odds of successful self-protection without a firearm against an armed intruder are not likely. “Far fewer women would be raped, far fewer children would be killed, far fewer towns would be destroyed, and far fewer dictators would survive if people everywhere on the planet had this God-given right to bear arms recognized” (Ignoring).
If everyone had the right o gun ownership, less people would be likely to commit crimes and violence against those that are armed as well. Concealed carry permits allow citizens to carry a holstered handgun upon government approval. According to The Nation online, obtaining a concealed carry permit requires an extensive background check and often takes several months for approval. The advantages of this permit extend beyond the protection of self. In the event off public shooting, a citizen with this special permit could aid in ending the standoff, protect others around them and themselves.
A concealed carry permit also provides protection against thieves, whether it is a robbery of personal belongings such as a purse or wallet, or even a car jacking. Due to the severity of these background checks, only those with a clean criminal record, sound state of mind and character are approved. Guns play a large role in recreational activities that Americans have long enjoyed. Hunting with firearms has been practiced since the 13th century and long since provided many with a way to obtain food. Those who chose to hunt game primarily rely on firearms to hunt and kill animals.
For some, name hunting is nothing more than a hobby but for others it is a source for food. Animal hides and fur are used as clothing and for decoration. There is a large market surrounding animal fur as it is used to make coats, rugs, and footwear. For people that live in wooded areas, firearms provide protection against wild animals that might threaten their life and property. Skeet shooting is a recreational and competitive activity that involves the use of shotguns in attempt to shatter clay disks that are flung into the air via machine at a high rate of speed. There are various forms of skeet shooting. E of which is an Olympic sport. Skeet shooting ranges provide a place for the public to enjoy the activity, but some chose to do skeet shooting on their own property. This also is used as practice for waterfowl hunting and other forms of bird hunting. This activity would not be possible without the use of shotguns. Gun shooting ranges exist nationwide and provide a safe place for people to shoot recreational. These gun ranges are licensed and people can bring their Own guns to shoot or rent a gun from the range. They also sell guns, ammunition, targets, safety equipment and some provide gun safety courses.
There are strict rules and regulations that must be followed by these companies and those who use the range. Eye and ear protection is mandatory when entering the range, even as an observer. People go to gun ranges to shoot for fun and even as practice. A gun is useless if the operator does not know how to accurately aim and shoot. The range allows for target practice from different distances and can provide the shooter with confidence in firearm handling. Fifth right to private gun ownership is revoked, these businesses will not be able to survive. Gun collecting is a hobby that Americans and businesses enjoy.
Some simply do it for personal enjoyment, bragging rights, and to have a piece Of history. Guns are put on display as decoration in private homes, stores, and restaurants. The National Rifle Association owns a firearms museum that has been collecting guns since 1935. The museum contains some of the world’s finest firearms housed in two separate locations. “NEAR museums offer a glimpse into the firearms that built our nation, helped forge our freedom, and captured our imagination” (NEAR). Opposing Private Gun Ownership According to The Nation online, the annual death toll from firearms in the
Unites States is over 32,000 and rising. Since the first casualties in the battle of Lexington to recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the total of American military deaths is 1,1 71,1 77 (The Nation). Since 1 968, the number of people killed by firearms in the US, including suicide, is 1,384,171. Meaning that the number of deaths due to firearms in the US over 46 years has already surpassed the number Of deaths due to war at a span Of over 200 years. 212,994 more Americans lost their lives due to firearms in the past 46 years than in all wars that the US has been involved in.
By 2015 it is predicted hat there will be fewer deaths on the road due to motor vehicle accidents than those caused by firearms. An 18 year old can walk into a sporting goods store and within an hour walk back out with a shotgun. It only takes a couple hundred dollars, the store associate placing a phone call verifying the criminal history of the customer, and the firearm is in the hands of anyone 18 and older. A high school senior can easily purchase a firearm but cannot have a sip of alcohol. Something about this does not seem quite right. Handguns are harder to purchase than rifles and shotguns but yet still fairly easily accessible.
You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase a handgun. The process of purchasing a handgun involves a background check, a handgun safety course completion, and a one-week waiting period once the background check is approved. From the intended day of purchase to the actual day that the handgun can be picked up is about a 6-week process, minimal. Handguns come in various sizes, some small enough to fit in the front pocket of someone’s pants. This draws concern considering handguns are easily concealable whether it be in a bag, backpack, Or in an article of looting.
This is why kids are able to sneak them into schools. Tragedies have been reported involving a child accessing a firearm and accidentally shooting him/her self or someone else. Kids who bring guns to school usually access the firearm from their home, a relatives home, or even a friend’s home. Over the past 7 years according to government records, over 3,000 American children and teens have died due to gun violence. In contrast, Japan, which has about a third of the US population, has had only 47 deaths over the same time period. 47 deaths of all ages, whereas the 3,000
Americans were strictly children and teens. The issue comes down to accessibility time and time again. People simply do not take the time and careful effort to safely secure firearms and make sure that they are out Of the reach of children. Automatic and semi-automatic guns have been another large topic of controversy. These types of guns serve one purpose and one purpose only, people hunting. These firearms also go by the title “assault rifles. ” The only plausible argument to the private ownership of automatic and semi- automatic rifles would be for recreational use.
And even with that argument, firing off tens of rounds in a matter of seconds at a gun range is pointless. There is no sport in that other than obliterating a target to shreds. These are the guns that people commit mass shootings with. Military, police, and government agencies should be the only one’s who have access to these types of weapons. According to The Truth About Guns online, automobile accidents account for a significantly large amount Of deaths in America every year, more than that of firearms. You do not see people trying to take away the ability to drive automobiles.
A 16 year old can legally obtain a license and get behind the wheel off car and drive wherever they please. Driving a car is like driving a loaded gun. The ability to end life through driving takes nothing more than removing your eyes from the road, adjusting the radio, or testing. Attempting to ban firearms nationwide is not going to solve the issue of gun related violence and death. Firearms will always find their way back into the possession of criminals regardless. The answer is informing the public with gun safety courses and law enforcement cracking down on unregistered gun seizures.
