Lack of gun control is killing people
by Emanuela Curtale
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Opinion
Thomas Jefferson has justified the nation's right to bear arms since the 1700s. Therefore, it's no surprise that gun ownership in the United States has always been a national tradition until this day. Issues concerning gun control in the United States have however created great controversy throughout the years.
As of 2007, California has the highest murder rate by firearms, followed by Texas, Pennsylvania, New York and Georgia.
One of my first concerns is the reason that leads to an individual's necessity to keep a gun in their household; if a citizen feels the need to own a firearm for personal protection, it means they don't have full trust in their law enforcement.
In the early 1990s, the city of Kennesaw passed a law making it mandatory for nearly all citizens to keep a gun in their household. If the police force did their job efficiently citizens, wouldn't be required to provide for their own protection.
Another controversial issue is how anyone can have access to guns. Although the law forbids the possession by convicted felons and hospitalized patients for mental illness or drug/alcohol treatment, it does not guarantee that all other citizens are responsible enough to carry a gun.
Firearms are the main weapons used in murder cases. Reports by the United States Department of Justice account a total of 14,831 murder victims in 2007, of which 10,086 were caused by guns.
What is alarming is the fact that murders in circumstances of felony such as robbery, rape and theft are three times lower than circumstances such as impulsive murders including arguments or brawls due to influence of alcohol or narcotics, and gang feuds.
We can't complain about gang killings or school shootings if the law clearly states that a citizen can buy a gun at the age of 18.
School shootings such as those experienced at Columbine High School or Virginia Tech were disturbing, but even more disturbing knowing that Eric Harris and Seung-Hui Cho legally purchased their weapons without questioning.
The purchase of firearms should not be a simple process; individuals with no past criminal record does not guarantee the weapon won't be used for reasons which are not personal protection.
The purchase of a gun must be followed by a righteous cause for ownership, and I believe it should only be limited to military and law officers, or used for sports.
As of 2007, California has the highest murder rate by firearms, followed by Texas, Pennsylvania, New York and Georgia.
One of my first concerns is the reason that leads to an individual's necessity to keep a gun in their household; if a citizen feels the need to own a firearm for personal protection, it means they don't have full trust in their law enforcement.
In the early 1990s, the city of Kennesaw passed a law making it mandatory for nearly all citizens to keep a gun in their household. If the police force did their job efficiently citizens, wouldn't be required to provide for their own protection.
Another controversial issue is how anyone can have access to guns. Although the law forbids the possession by convicted felons and hospitalized patients for mental illness or drug/alcohol treatment, it does not guarantee that all other citizens are responsible enough to carry a gun.
Firearms are the main weapons used in murder cases. Reports by the United States Department of Justice account a total of 14,831 murder victims in 2007, of which 10,086 were caused by guns.
What is alarming is the fact that murders in circumstances of felony such as robbery, rape and theft are three times lower than circumstances such as impulsive murders including arguments or brawls due to influence of alcohol or narcotics, and gang feuds.
We can't complain about gang killings or school shootings if the law clearly states that a citizen can buy a gun at the age of 18.
School shootings such as those experienced at Columbine High School or Virginia Tech were disturbing, but even more disturbing knowing that Eric Harris and Seung-Hui Cho legally purchased their weapons without questioning.
The purchase of firearms should not be a simple process; individuals with no past criminal record does not guarantee the weapon won't be used for reasons which are not personal protection.
The purchase of a gun must be followed by a righteous cause for ownership, and I believe it should only be limited to military and law officers, or used for sports.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Craig B.
posted 4/21/09 @ 7:29 PM EST
See what California and a lying California attorney, Steven T. Schoonover, and flip flopper James K. Olson did here to a Nevada citizen?s right to have a gun to protect herself after James K. (Continued…)
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