Every Ordinary Citizen Had the Right to Own a Firearm

Many liberals are pro-gun control, but what about the other half of the political spectrum? Conservatives view that gun control would be limiting our constitutional right. If we were to impose strict laws regulating who gets a gun, it would be a direct violation of the second amendment: every citizen has the right to purchase and own a gun. “The right to keep and bear arms was added to the United States Constitution as part of the Bill of Rights, which was ratified on December 15, 1791” (Gun control, 2018).

In 1791 every regular citizens had the right to own firearms so they can protect themselves . “According to the amendment, these militias were “well regulated”—subject to state requirements concerning training, firearms, and periodic military exercises”(Gun control, 2018). However the laws are not entirely regulated where gun owners are properly inspecting and registering their guns. “As much as 40% of all gun sales are undocumented private party gun sales that do not require a background check (aka the ‘gun show loophole’)” (Wintemute, 2009). Therefore with strict Gun laws, all loopholes can be eradicated and all citizens would be responsible enough to understand the fact that bearing arms comes with accountability and discipline.

Many people chose to buy and keep a gun in their home for self-defense, or protection. Many Americans view guns as a simple mean of protection against any possible intruders. According to the Pew Foundation, a non-profit organization regarding civic matters, ….report found that 79% of male gun owners and 80% of female gun owners said owning a gun made them feel safer and 64% of people living in a home in which someone else owns a gun felt safer. However keeping guns at home increases the risks of personals conflicts that results in violent situations.

Overall, while guns help increase the feeling of security, it can also turn into an extremely dangerous weapon that can be catastrophic to families. The FBI found that in 2013, “arguments (such as romantic triangles, brawls fueled by alcohol or drugs, and arguments over money) resulted in 1,962 gun deaths (59.9% of the total)” (Expanded Homicide Data,2013). This shows that Americans maintain guns at home proves to be too bigger a risk then a help. Gun control is necessary to make sure to not give guns in the hands of the people who might try to hurt family members. Authorizing background checks and psychanalysis can determine whether someone is fit to keep a gun for protection purposes only. It is true that some people might not intend to use the gun against a loved one, but, FINISH HERE

Our founders wanted US citizens to have the right to bear arms so the American people felt protected and free with no government interference. The idea behind this right was to provide peace and be prepared to defend their country. Many people believe it is only right to maintain and withhold every aspect of The Bill of Rights, as a reminder that the government’s traditions and institutions have kept the country intact, and that we cannot and must not change the very thing that makes America stand apart from other nations; our freedoms and liberties. However, times have changed, and America has seen a sharp spike in the amount of violent crimes committed with a gun, including mass shootings. As society changes, it is important that the government should change as well, not only to provide the people with what they want, but to withhold the ideals of the people in the form of laws and justice.

Along with that, some Americans believe they should have access to a gun for their own protection, and the government should not be able to intervene with the person’s protection. “According to the National Rifle Association (NRA), guns are used for self-defense 2.5 million times a year”(NRA, 2014).However, this claim is invalid because gun control would only be limiting the people who have the potential to misuse the gun, which is already a crime. The only reason why someone would need a gun “for protection” is from another, who most likely has a gun. This argument tries to fight fire with fire, when sometimes you just need a lid before the flames spread. Gun control would act as a lid because it prevents guns from getting into the wrong hands, therefore leaving no purpose for other ordinary citizens to purchase one either.

Guns are available to the American citizens, so they can protect themselves for any invaders or in any robbery situations. Many people feels that police cannot protect them all the time, if someone invades into their homes they feel protected owing a gun. However, law enforcement often sees that guns usually end up in the wrong hands, with criminals claiming their reason of purchase was “self-defense”. Many bad people are now using “self-defense” as a cover for their ulterior motives. “According to a Mar. 2016 study, gun homicide rates in the United States were 25.3 times higher and gun suicides were 8 times higher in 2010 than in other populous, high-income countries”(Hemenway, 2018). With stricter laws regulating the purchase of a gun, law enforcement and gun suppliers will be able to determine whether the integrity of someone who wants to buy a gun, and prevent any homicides.

Many believe there will still be guns available on the black market, which still leaves the risk of attacks and mass shootings. However, the most deadly shooters in the U.S such as Omar Mateen (the Orlando nightclub shooter), Stephen Paddock (the Las Vegas shooter) and Nikolas Cruz (the Parkland shooter) obtained their guns legally. This proves that the most deadly shootings ever seen in the U.S could have been prevented, if there had been some regulation with the purchase of these guns, there might have been a way to prevent these tragedies.

Works Cited

1. Erin Grinshteyn and David Hemenway, ‘Violent Death Rates: The US Compared with Other High-Income OECD Countries, 2010,’ amjmed.com, Mar. 2016
2. FBI, ‘Expanded Homicide Data Table 11: Murder Circumstances by Weapon, 2013,’ www.fbi.gov (accessed Nov. 24, 2018)
3. Garen Wintemute, ‘Inside Gun Shows: What Goes on When Everybody Thinks Nobody’s Watching,’ www.ucdmc.ucdavis.com, 2009
4. ‘Gun Control.’ Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2018. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/PC3010999212/OVIC?u=gray86550&sid=OVIC&xid=3bde7d53. Accessed 25 Nov. 2018.
5. Institute of Medicine, ‘Priorities for Research to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence,’ www.iom.edu, June 5, 2013
6. Lawrence Hunter, ‘Gun Control Tramples on the Certain Virtues of a Heavily Armed Citizenry,’ www.forbes.com, Dec. 28, 2012
7. NRA, ‘Chris Cox’s NRA Armed Citizen,’ www.nra.org/armedcitizen (accessed Nov. 25, 2018)
8. Pew Research Center, ‘Why Own a Gun? Protection Is Now Top Reason,’ www.pewresearch.org, May 9, 2013