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Theresa Sibi

Professor Vyvial

English 1301

6 December 2017

Gunning for Control

Americans have valued guns and have held them close to their hearts throughout history.

In fact, the United States has ingrained the right to bear arms in its constitution. However, recent

abusive acts with guns have made some Americans rethink this excessive amount of freedom.

Gun control in America is an issue of major importance today, with some people who believe it

is necessary while others feel as if it is the American peoples constitutional right to own

weapons.

Those for gun control argue in favor of the safety of their family and friends. With

multiple mass shootings in the recent years, including Sandy Hooke Elementary movie theater in

Aurora, Colorado, Pulse club shooting, and so on, some Americans are demanding for better gun

control. They believe that since the use of guns is the only consistent factor with all recent mass

murders in America, there should be an immediate change to limit gun access. Nevertheless,

mass murders are not the only problem when it comes to why supporters of gun control are on

their feet for change. Supporters cite that More Americans have died as a consequence of gun-

related violence than have been killed in all of the wars since the War of Independence, 750, 000

in the half century or so since 1960 (Gun Politics). Thus, guns are being used to end the lives

of citizens over squabbles, and supporters believe this gives too much fatal power over the gun
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owner. By having a control on guns, these statistics can be avoided; hence, the risks outweigh the

benefits in the eyes of the supporters.

Likewise, supporters of gun control believe that Americas need for guns are not

necessary as it once was in American history. The second 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 (Utter). The amendment conveys that gun use is for the public

safety, not private. This amendment was put in the constitution due to the conflicts in the

southern colonies prior to the American Revolution, the possession of firearms and the

maintenance of militias were considered crucial to internal security (Utter). Guns were used

regularly for defending homes from wild animals, the government, and even Native Americans

(Hawley). Therefore, supporters of gun control argue that the need for multiple or powerful guns

are no longer a necessity in the average American household as it once was; in fact, it is, rather,

creating the epitome of an unsafe environment.

On the other hand, the opposing side is certain that being able to own a gun is a form

safety. They reason their belief of keeping guns because they wish to protect themselves, their

families, and their homes from criminals, and their main argument being that if guns are

outlawed, only the outlaws will have guns (Jelen). This means, if they are stripped from

carrying guns, they presume that they will not be able to protect themselves and their families

from criminals who illegally obtained their guns. In fact, after every mass shooting, the rate of

gun purchases goes up. Guns are a source of power or leverage for the opposing side, to protect

themselves from dangers such as criminals and even a tyrannical government.

Consequently, they are certain that guns do not kill people, people kill people.

Specifically, those opposed believe that it is unfair to put further restrictions of obtaining guns on
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people who are innocent. Immoral people will be involved in criminal affairs, regardless of

whether they have guns. Instead, they believe that there should be more focus on easier access to

health care because almost all mass murderers suffer a mental disease, which is not found until

the autopsy is conducted. Therefore, those opposed to gun control find that guns are not the

problem, people are.

Although those opposed to gun control do not want severe gun reform such as a complete

ban on guns, many are open to change. Many gun owners know the hazards of carrying and

shooting a gun, and they agree that guns should not be readily and easily available to certain

individuals such as kids and criminals. For example, the National Rifle Association once was a

strong advocate of the second amendment and they protested many gun regulations. However,

citing the rise in number of mass murders in the 1900s, many members leaned towards wanting

some form of gun regulation. Now, the NRA trains more people in the use of firearms than does

any nonmilitary organization in the United States (Kilburn). They strive to remove the stigma of

gun culture. Hence, most-all Americans can agree that guns are fatally dangerous and proper

training and maturity is needed to own one.

Gun control in America is a hot topic and has been a controversial issue for centuries.

Many want control for the safety of their family and their loved ones, while others feel as if guns

are a form of safety. The issue of gun control is an on-going subject with many varying factors.
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Work Cited

"Gun Politics." Dictionary of American Government and Politics, Duncan Watts, Edinburgh

University Press, 1st edition, 2010. Credo Reference, http://search.credoreference.com/

content/entry/eupamgov/gun_politics/0. Accessed 11 Oct 2017.

Hawley, Francis Frederick. "Gun Culture." Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of

History, Politics, Culture, and the Law, Gregg Lee Carter, ABC-CLIO, 2nd edition,

2012. Credo Reference, http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/abcguns/

gun_culture/0. Accessed 11 October 2017.

Jelen, Ted G. "Gun Ownership." Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of History,

Politics, Culture, and the Law, Gregg Lee Carter, ABC-CLIO, 2nd edition, 2012. Credo

Reference, http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/abcguns/gun_ownership/0.

Accessed 01 Nov 2017.

Kilburn, Judith Demas, and John C. Kilburn, Jr. "National Rifle Association." Encyclopedia of

American Studies, edited by Simon Bronner, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1st edition,

2016. Credo Reference, http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/jhueas/

national_rifle_association/0. Accessed 02 Nov 2017.

Utter, Glenn H. "Gun Control." Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues,

Viewpoints, and Voices, edited by Roger Chapman, and James Ciment, Routledge, 2nd

edition, 2013. Credo Reference, http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/

sharpecw/gun_control/0. Accessed 01 Nov 2017.