As long as there has been a Constitution, the right to gun ownership has been part of it. Gun ownership has a long and storied history in the United States, which explains why unraveling what to do about ownership in the country tends to a complicated conversation.
With a huge uptick in mass shootings over the past decade, many are fighting to ensure that more serious gun regulations are put into place. Where you fall on the line of this debate may depend on a wide number of things such as small gun safes for glocks.
It can help to understand the gun control pros and cons when attempting to form an opinion on this prickly and oft-argued topic. What are some of the benefits of gun control, and what are the drawbacks?
Read on and we’ll walk you through what you need to know on guns such as a Smith & Wesson.
Benefits of Gun Control
Let’s face it: a lot of people have died because of gun violence in the United States, and that number is only increasing as the years go by.
Mass shootings have become a regular event and a subject of national attention for nearly two decades. So why might gun control be the answer?
Lowers Firearm-Related Deaths
The biggest reason many say that gun control is necessary is that it will save lives. Enacting even only the least controversial of gun control measures could help to cut down on gun-related deaths by a significant margin.
States that currently have stricter gun laws in place saw a decrease in both murders and suicides related to guns.
To be specific, the study in question found that every 10 point increase in gun law scores correlated with an average 8% drop in deaths caused by firearms. There was a direct and provable correlation.
Increase Public Confidence
The people of America have been undeniably shaken by the wave of mass shootings that have occurred across the country in the past few years. Many feel unsafe going through normal, daily routines.
They don’t feel safe going to the movies, going to concerts, or going to the supermarket. There’s always a threat that gun violence could break out, even in the most peaceful of areas.
Implementing gun control measures would go a long way to securing the confidence of the American public. It would help to limit fear and put more laws in place to help safeguard the well-being of the American public.
Decrease Domestic Violence
Many times, when a firearm-related death occurs, it is between a man and a woman and it is within the home. Domestic violence is and remains a serious problem across the country and the presence of firearms can mean a tragic fate for many American women.
The rate of women dying in firearm-related incidents is far, far higher in America than it is in any other similar country around the world. Often, violence starts and then increases in intensity. If a firearm is in the house, things can end in the worst way possible.
Limiting the access and availability of guns would help to prevent this problem from continuing and could help to save the lives of thousands of women.
In addition to being used in domestic violence situations, guns also play a role in many other crimes. For example, many people charged with federal drug crimes are also brought up on related firearms offenses when guns are used in the commission of one of these crimes. So, getting guns out of communities could lead to decreased violence both in homes and on the street.
Drawbacks of Gun Control
Despite many feeling that gun control measures are an absolute necessity, there are many that feel equally strongly that these types of laws would be a mistake. There are many strong arguments against gun control as well.
Right to Bear Arms
One of the major arguments against gun control is that it limits the freedom of Americans of all stripes. The right to bear arms has been a part of the American culture since the beginning, and the idea of stripping it away at this juncture strikes many as a grave injustice.
Many believe that the right to bear arms is an absolute right, meaning there should be no shortage of what a gun owner can have a right to own. That means everything from a handgun to upgraded mag extensions, which you can discover more about to form your own opinion.
While guns themselves may have changed since 1776, many that fight back against gun control laws say that this does not give the government the right to take their possessions away. It sets a dangerous precedent.
Increased Terrorism
Many gun owners believe that it is the very presence of guns across much of America that keeps the average family safe. Without a well-armed public, there is a chance that terrorists and other threats could take advantage of the defenseless public.
The idea that gun control laws will reduce gun violence is simply not true. Many cite the fact that many who engage in gun violence do so through illegal means regardless, and that bringing new laws into place will just increase the illegal trade of guns.
This is important to keep in mind when talking about gun control: just because we hope a certain measure will do something doesn’t mean that it actually will. The space between intention and outcome can be quite vast.
Gun Control Pros and Cons
It’s important to stay up to date with some of the bigger political debates in the country. These are important topics and your opinion can and does play a big impact in the direction that policy can take. When it comes to firearms, it’s essential that you understand the gun control pros and cons.
The above information can help you to see both sides of the argument and thus come to your own conclusions.
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