The Debate Around Gun Control: The Pros and Cons

Gun control topic is one of the biggest problems in the United States of America and it is little bit touchy. It is not effective as it should be. We can´t erase violence by gun control. It is not best solution to our problems caused by firearms. Constitution of America says: „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.“ (Bill of Rights, 1791) So how exactly will we stop violence caused by guns if everyone has right to have a gun? Question if is greater gun control a good idea is very delicate issue.

There are so many pros and cons to that topic. But what is actually good?

One of the most common question about firearms regulation is how can we improve this set of laws and what we can do better to protect innocent people from getting hurt? Many people are involved in gunpoint and are targeted for their ethnicity or many of them are victims of racial attacks.

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Some people can´t tolerate others for their religion or colour of skin. In 2017 man from Texas walked in to the baptist church and shot to death 26 people and injured 20 others. In past he was forbidden by law from purchasing or keeping any armaments or guns because he was convicted for domestic violence. In this case gun control failed miserably. He was prohibited from purchasing and keeping guns but he walked into the church with semi-automatic rifle.

How and from where can people obtain guns if they are banned by law? Answer is black market. Demand is higher every day. Younger people are involved in this business due to good profit. One of the backfires of gun control system is black market and unlicensed sellers. „An estimated 40% of the guns acquired in the U.S. annually come from unlicensed sellers who are not required by federal law to conduct background checks on gun purchasers.“ (U.S. Department of Justice, 1997)

I would like to use generally known phrase „it is not the gun, it is the man behind the gun“. So what does it really mean? It means that gun won´t shoot without human assistance. It is all about person that pulls the trigger and how well is that person educated about firearms. In Switzerland, they have also right to bear firearms but they are educated and well trained. They have mandatory military service for men, that means all men between 18 and 34 which are „fit for service“ are given proper education and training about how to handle gun. When they are done with training they can legally buy arms but with permit on them. In 2007, survey found that Switzerland had the third-highest ratio of civilian firearms per 100 residents (46), outdone by only US (89) and Yemen (55). (Small Arms Survey) Problem with firearms can be partially solved by giving people proper education and training from young age. It would decrease amount of occasions with gun violence.

But it can be done more for prevention than just educate people how to properly use guns. For people safety, buyers should have been checked if there is everything alright with their family background and whether their mental state is fine for having a gun. This solution would be very useful and could possibly save many lives. Mentally challenged people would not have access to weapons. US Army veteran David Austin French suggests this option at National Review Institute : gun-violence restraining orders, or GRVOs. (2014) These orders would give family members permission to apply for order that would allow to law enforcement temporarily remove guns from people that are dangerous for society. (Ben Shapiro, 2018)

Lots of shooting in high schools are done by military grade rifles such as AR-15 type rifles. Most of the injuries caused by this type of weapon are fatal. It is generally known that military grade rifles have bigger magazine capacity and bigger penetration than handguns also fire rate is higher. Politician Alan Mark Grayson expressed himself on one of the worst mass shooting in US history that was caused by this type of rifle : „If he was not able to buy a weapon that shoots off 700 rounds in a minute, a lot of those people would still be alive.“ (2016)

Big problem is minimum age to buy rifles which are military grade. Current age when you can buy rifle is 18, the age limit should be significantly increased. It could decrease overall amount of gun violence or gun shooting. It is delicate matter that won´t solve everything but it can decrease stats and numbers of casualties. This problem was reviewed by senator Jeff Flake which suggested that age should be increased to 21. „A kid too young buy a handgun should be too young to buy an AR-15. Working with senator Dianne Feinstein on a bipartisan bill that will raise the minimum purchase age for non-military buyers from 18 to 21 - the same age you currently have to be to purchase a handgun.“ (2018) President Trump and Governor of Florida Rick Scott expressed their support for this legislation.

Overall this issue of gun control or if greater gun control is a good idea is very controversial. Every system has its pros and cons and every system can backfire. System of firearms regulation can be significantly improved. This system is full of holes and flaws. In fact that if it would be more regulated and supported by the background checks it would work fine in my opinion. Firearms can´t be erased from our lives but they can be regulated correctly.