Gun Ownership And Regulation Essays Examples

Growing debates on the issue of gun ownership and regulation suggest that Americans have finally started taking this issue with earnestness. Thousands of innocent Americans, including many school children have lost their lives in gun related violence in recent years. Repeated occurrence of heinous incidents like school killings are a major concern for policymakers, as well as American citizens. There is a difference of opinion on the issue of gun ownership and regulation. Some opine that gun ownership is a right, given to American citizens by American constitution and it is necessary for the self defence. Others opine that gun ownership should be strictly regulated in order to rein growing violence in the American society. This paper proposes a discussion on gun ownership and explores whether gun ownership is amply regulated or more regulations are required.
United States has highest gun ownership rate. Out of every 100 household almost fifty percent households owns a gun or firearm. Highest possession of guns often results in intentional or unintentional shooting and accident. Klein (2012) mentioned that existing gun control laws should be revised and tightened in order to avoid or reduced tragic deaths and mass shootings. Over last three decades around 61 mass shootings or murders were carried out in the country, which resulted in killing of several innocent people. According to data, in majority of the mass killing, killer used weapons that were legally procured or obtained. The data also shows that out of 25 most awful killing occurred during last fifty years, 15 mass killings took place in America. These statistics shows that United States should tighten their gun control in order to restrict accessibility of guns only to the right hands (Klein).
More guns mean more deaths, murder and homicides. States that have strict laws reports fewer killings and homicides. Every year large number of children got killed in tragic gun violence. The issue of gun violence is complex in nature and uncontrolled effects of gun violence disgrace civilized and contemporary society such as United States. According to a report of New York Times, unintentional deaths caused by using guns are double than deaths caused due to intentional killing. Children by mistakes used guns in home settings, which resulted in killing of family members. Some children mentioned that they were trying to duplicate the scene of a movie or video game, which cause firing. Children unintentionally point out gun to their friends, or family members (Luo & McIntire).
Experts with different opinion claim that controlling guns or completely banning use of guns will not solve the problem. However, it will increase the problem. People use guns for their own safety and stop criminal activities. Controlling guns will increase the incidents of thefts, robberies, rapes, and burglaries. All people who feel any threat to their safety apply for gun license. People own gun in different circumstances such as their profession, or size of wealth they own. Gun helps in protecting them from any theft or robbery. Therefore, gun control will increase the rate of such incidents.
After analyzing pros and cons of the gun control, it can be said that gun control is important in country like United States. The country is noticing an increase in mass killing incidents and various other incidents where children unintentionally kill their friends or family members. Large number of tragic deaths appalled citizens & authorities and force them to rethink about gun control issue and take decision that is suitable for society.

Works Cited

Klein, Ezra. "Twelve facts about guns and mass shootings in the United States." 14 December 2012. Washington Post. 19 March 2015 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/14/nine-facts-about-guns-and-mass-shootings-in-the-united-states/>.
Luo, M., & McIntire, M. "Children and Guns: The Hidden Toll." 28 September 2013. The New York Times. 5 October 2014.