John Teunis

Dagher, Debra
UWRT 1102-092
8 February 2015
Is Gun Control The Answer?
The Bill of Rights, defined by Merrimu-Websters Dictionary website is, a summary of
fundamental rights and privileges guaranteed to a people against violation by the state used
especially of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. These first ten
amendments that make up the bill of rights were forged during the starting years of our
independent nation. The amendment of focus for this essay is the Second Amendment,
commonly known as the Right to Bear Arms. This amendment states: "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." The question being asked, relating to this amendment is, would
enacting stricter gun control laws in North Carolina reduce violent crimes rates?
Before the essay dives into the information and analysis of such information, I must
shortly cover my background with firearms as to address any bias that may be present. I was
taught proper firearm handling and shooting around age ten, and shot my first gun shortly after. I
am an owner of several firearms, which I handle and use responsibly and safely. I have no
tolerance for unsafe use of firearms and it upsets me to see it going on in society. Any bias
against gun control that I may have, has been pushed to the side while forming this essay.
First a definition of gun control must be established. According to the MerrimuWebsters Dictionary website, gun control can be defined as laws that control how guns
are sold and used and who can own them. There are several laws in North Carolina

already in existence that pertain to gun control. Gun control laws involving rifles
and shotguns and rather loose in North Carolina. A permit is not required to
purchase a shotgun or rifle, the purchaser must only be eighteen and have a valid
identification present. While laws involving rifles and shotguns are lax, laws
pertaining to handguns are a little stricter. An example of a gun control law that
involves handguns is that anyone who would like to purchase a handgun in North
Carolina must first obtain a valid permit from his or her local Sheriff Department.
There are certain criteria that one must meet to obtain a valid pistol permit. Some
of the criteria requires that the applicant is not a registered felon, they cannot have
been discharged from the military due to dishonorable discharge, the must be a
legal citizen of the United States, and they cannot have been a former citizen and
then renounced their citizenship. When it comes to legally concealing a handgun,
another permit must be obtained. This permit requires an extensive course which
educates the enrollee on proper handling and concealment, along with procedures
that must be followed while around law enforcement officers.
Age is a key factor when it comes to firearms and violence. The Young Adult
Development Project conducted by MIT concluded that, The brain isn't fully mature at 16,
when we are allowed to drive, or at 18, when we are allowed to vote, or at 21, when we are
allowed to drink, but closer to 25, when we are allowed to rent a car. Unfortunately, the age is
eighteen to purchase a rifle or shotgun and twenty-one to purchase a handgun. If an individuals
brain is not fully developed or matured, it could lead to poor decision making when faced with

an aggressive or violent situation. This could result in an irrational response of violence, such as
the use of a firearm with intent to harm. Another age issue pertaining to firearms and violence
comes with old age. Those aged 65 and older now have the highest rate of gun ownership in
America, and they also have a high prevalence of depression and suicide. Dementia can add
additional layers of risk (citation). The combination of firearms and mental illnesses can result
in suicide by a firearm, unsafe use of a firearm, or improper storage of a firearm. Brain
development and brain un-development (if you will), are huge risk factors when it comes to
firearms and violence.
One of the largest issues relating to firearms and violent crimes, is that most
criminals use illegally purchased firearms to commit their crimes. Every firearm has
a serial number engraved somewhere on it. When the firearm is purchased a
record or that serial number is made along with the buyer of the gun. Also, every
firearm has what is called a ballistic record. When the bullet exists the barrel, it
leaves cuts and marks along the bullet that are specific to that gun. This is referred
to as a guns finger print. These two things are what connects the firearm to its
owner. A criminal does not want to commit a crime with a gun that can be traced
back to them so they illegally purchase their guns on the black market.
There are several ways that the black market obtains its guns to fuel its
economy. National Geographic released a documentary pertaining to the illegal
firearms market called Underworld Inc, Ghost Gun. The ideal gun for criminals is
what is referred to as a ghost gun. A ghost gun is a firearm (usually a handgun),

that has been illegally made, sold, and purchased. These guns have no ballistic
record, have an illegitimate cereal number, and are usually made outside of the
United States. A town called Danao in the Philippines is one place where firearms
are illegally made. In Danao, guns are made by people facing poverty, and have no
other job or source of income. They are made in homes or workshops then shipped
to the United States.
Secondary firearm markets also allow criminals to obtain their firearms.
Unlicensed sellers are who form this secondary market for firearms. Gun shows are
a prime example of a secondary gun market. The danger in these secondary
markets is the lack of regulation. However, secondary transfers are not subject to
federal record-keeping and background check requirements, thus making the
secondary market largely unregulated and, consequently, a better source of guns
for criminal users (citation). Another issue covered in this article is the theft of
firearms. Criminals dont mind using criminal methods to obtain their firearms. If a
criminal steals a firearm and then uses it to commit a crime, there is no link
between them and the firearm. Approximately 600,000 guns are stolen each year
from private owners, dealers, and common carriers (ATF, 2000a:27-28; Cook and
Ludwig,1996:29-30). Theft along with secondary markets are two extremely
common ways criminals get their firearms.

There are some laws that could be changed or added to reduce gun violence pertaining to
all citizens. These laws are related to age and brain development. If the brain is not fully
developed until around twenty-five years old, that should be the age to own a gun. If there is a
greater risk for suicide after sixty-five, guns should no longer be owned once someone reaches
that age. However, the general public should not be the main target when trying to reduce
violence.
The key to reducing violence by gun control is to aim it at the criminals main obtaining
methods, and pull the trigger. Illegal smuggling and theft of firearms cannot be prevented
through gun control. These methods that criminals use can only be addressed by increasing
boarder and gun shop security. The best way the law can prevent criminals from getting their
guns is by addressing secondary markets and transactions. These secondary markets, such as gun
shows, should be prohibited along with secondary transactions due to their lack of regulation.
Consequences for secondary transactions or criminal possession of a firearm could also be
increased to serve as a deterrent. Placing strict gun-control laws on the public have little to no
effect since the general public are not the people committing crimes. They only cause
controversy and infringe on our Second Amendment right. Instead, aim gun-control at the people
who are actually aiming their guns at us, criminals.