In the United States, 88. 8 out of 100 people own at least one firearm (Morris). A common misconception in today’s society is that these firearms are the root of all crime. Gun control is unconstitutional, illogical, and Nazi esque. In fact, more guns would be an improvement to our nation. Guns are a right given to us by the second amendment, and can be used for recreational purposes, self-defense, and are a means of keeping the government in check. The right to bear arms is a crucial part of this nation’s foundation, put in place to regulate the power of the very people trying to take our guns away from us.
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution reads, “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” (“Gun Control – ProCon. org”). This amendment was established to keep the government in check by giving the governed the ability to overtake the government if necessary. This amendment also gave one the right to join or start a militia. A common misconception is that the right to bear arms is only for the state militia or today’s National Guard. The McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) proves the contrary in its ruling of the
Second Amendment to be an individual right (“Gun Control – ProCon. org”). Also, in 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that the right to bear arms is an individual right. This ended the 32-year ban on handguns in Washington D. C (Phillips). In fact, out of fifty states, thirty-seven have a constitution defending the right of the individual to bear arms (“Gun Control – ProCon. org”). Perhaps the biggest misconception of all is that the United States even has a gun problem. This notion, promoted through the lies of the media and liberal gun control activists, is wrong! In the United States, 88. ut of 100 people own at least one firearm (Morris).
Despite this, the United States has seen a huge decrease in violent crime and gun crime since the early 90’s even though the number of firearms has increased by around ten million each year. Private firearm ownership and gun crimes have no correspondence (Davidson12). However, private gun ownership and the decrease in violent crime do correspond. John R. Lott, Jr. , PhD, author of More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws, stated, “States with the largest increases in gun ownership also have the largest rops in violent crimes” (“Gun Control – ProCon. rg”).
In the 20th century, gun ownership doubled. The murder rate had no correlation to this and decreased. Another simple fact of the matter is that pro-gun control advocates rely on the ignorance of the masses to gain popularity. One is often told that 30,000 people are killed by guns annually. What the gun advocates don’t point out is that around 20,000 of those are suicides (Davidson12). If gun control is enforced in the United States, much like Great Britain or Australia, it won’t work! Chicago has the strictest gun control laws in the country. Despite this, omeone is shot around every 2. 8 hours (Daniels).
While most law abiding citizens would obey new gun control laws, criminals would not. With an estimated 300 million firearms in the United States, obtaining a gun will never be difficult (“7 Reasons Liberals Are Wrong on Gun Control”). Other activists propose a ban strictly limited to assault weapons and other powerful semi- automatic weapons alike. Assault weapons are no more dangerous than any other semi-automatic weapon. People often believe that their militaristic features such as fore grips and pistol grips make them more dangerous (Davidson12). One also might argue to ban high capacity magazines.
The simple fact of the matter is that one can do just as much damage with three ten round magazines as they could do with one thirty round magazine (“Gun Control – ProCon. org”). Despite the mass campaigns to ban certain rifles, only three percent of murders are committed by a rifle (“7 Reasons Liberals Are Wrong on Gun Control”). Gun control advocates claim that shooting is not a sport simply because they don’t enjoy it, and this, in their minds, justifies the ban on semi-automatic rifles, pump action shotguns, and high capacity magazines (Morris). Assault rifles are regularly used for hunting and target shooting.
Contrary to popular belief, assault rifles are usually less powerful than other alternatives (“Gun Control – ProCon. org”). Since 2004, the murder rate has decreased. Ironically, this is when the federal assault rifle ban expired (“7 Reasons Liberals Are Wrong on Gun Control”). The most desperate argument of gun control activists is, “We have too many already. ” This is solely based on personal opinion and isn’t backed by any logic or facts whatsoever. Who are they to tell us how much of something we should have Morris). The scariest fact of gun control is that it was implemented by the Nazis and used to gain control and power.
In the 1920’s, gun control laws were proposed to make Germany safer. A similar gun registration program is proposed in America. The Nazi regime used these gun control laws to their advantage and preyed upon the inability of the masses to defend themselves. Any German Jew who refused to turn in their weapons faced prison time. The Gestapo knew nearly everyone who had weapons because of the prior gun registration. The Jews were told that their compliance would be ewarded but even those who gave up their weapons voluntarily were arrested (Halbrook).
We the people and our government should learn from the mistakes of those in the past and promote gun ownership to better protect against criminals or a tyrannical government. Guns are often viewed as instruments of destruction but are, in reality, useful in many ways. A gun is an effective way of defense from a distance. Guns also provide women, the elderly, and the handicapped a way to defend themselves (“7 Reasons Liberals Are Wrong on Gun Control”). According to a study done by the NRA, guns are used 2. 5 million imes a year for self-defense.
Denying the right to bear arms is denying one the right to effectively defend themselves and their family (“Gun Control – ProCon. org”). Guns are used exponentially more often to stop crime than to kill; each year firearms prevent an estimated 2. 5 million crimes in the U. S. , usually without a shot being fired, meaning that guns are used over 300 times more often to save innocent lives, given the 8,124 murders committed with firearms in 2014 (Daniels). Guns are also the most effective deterrent. A research paper of John Lott Jr. points out a survey conducted on felons across ten states.
Fifty-six percent of felons said they would not attack a potentially armed person (Phillips). It is obvious that the right to bear arms is an individual right given to Americans to defend oneself against a tyrannical government or a criminal. When there is a bombing we blame the bomber, when there is a drunk driving accident we blame the driver, but it seems that when there is a shooting we blame the gun. The facts, along with logic, support the individual ownership of guns. This is a right we must fight to protect no matter the cost. Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.