Persuasive Essay: Gun Control

People, contrary to popular belief, don’t have the right to do whatever they damn well please. The right to bear arms is a privilege that too many Americans abuse. Certain things need to be held in check, even forbidden by the federal government for the betterment of the country.

People give the same old tired excuses about why they should leave gun control laws as they are. They say that it’s in the Constitution, and we have the right to bear arms. Well, things change over time, and the aging Constitution needs to be updated. Another argument, Americans have the rights to defend themselves and their homes against criminals. The right to bear arms was vital to protecting you and your homes when the Bill of Rights was drawn up over 200 years ago. These weapons, which were intended to protect, get into the wrong hands, invariably killing innocent people and children. Our news is scattered daily with shootings of these innocent people. More and more often, guns are used, not to protect, but instead, used in senseless acts of violence. However, there are security systems, locks, telephones, police cars, patrols and other means to combat the criminal from violating the individual or the sanctity of a home.

I know it’s impossible to stop all the robberies, rapes, murders, manslaughter and so on. I know that they are going to occur anyway. I am not claiming that guns are the root of all evil, but they certainly increase the rate at which it happens. Putting stricter laws on Gun Control will help.

Don’t take my word for it. Look at some statistics. According to the Texas Department of Public and the Violence Policy Center, from January 1, 1996 to April 30, 2000 there was a total of 3,370 licensed handgun holders that were arrested, for various crimes including, very serious violent offenses such as murder, rape, sexual assault, and armed robbery. We need new laws on guns: longer waiting periods, stricter background checks, mandated purchase of child safety locks and mandatory gun education laws.

Also, we need a higher age limit on people that can buy guns. Why? Well, according to Centers for Disease Control and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control in 1999 there were 1776 gun deaths in the 1 through 17 age group and 3385 gun deaths in the 1 through 19 age groups. That is too many of our young people being killed in a single year.

How many more lives must be lost due to gun violence before people realize that something must be done? Too many kids are killed for their Air Jordans. Too many people are being killed for their cars. Too many people are killed by guns. And it’s time for a change.