"Government Should Have Gun Control" by matata

As the amount of homicides and mass shootings have increased all over the world, so has the concern of American citizens. Guns, arguably, are very trivial. Many people believe that guns are vital in cases of self defense and recreation. However, safety should always come first. With the proper gun laws in place, suicide and homicide rates would decrease; and so would the amount of accidental deaths.

Although many people believe enacting more guns laws would take away their right to bare arms, this is simply not the case. Gun laws would ensure that firearms do not fall into the hands of future criminals or the like. There is no way to be entirely sure that an individual is purchasing a firearm with the intent to harm others. However, studies have shown that majority of criminals obtain guns illegally. Philip J. Cook, Susan T. Parker, and Harold A. Pollack interviewed criminals being held in cook county jail. As predicted, they found that criminals fear background checks and police stings; therefore, they will only consult trusted friends out of fear that law abiding gun holders will contact the police. To prevent guns from falling into dangerous hands, the government must ensure that guns do not get in the hands of people who do not follow the law to begin with. Such measures can be taken by creating laws that require citizens to meet certain requirements before legally purchasing firearms. These requirements may include but are not limited to: being a citizen for a certain amount of years, a background check, and a psychological test.

The opposition may argue that firearms are necessary in cases of self defense, and although they are an option guns have proven to be more dangerous than helpful. A study conducted by the New York Times found that more than 60% of deaths by gun are suicides. Suicide is the second most common cause of death in individuals aged 15-34. Majority of gun related violence is suicide. However, since suicide is so sensitive and trivial, there is less media coverage of such deaths; and more media coverage of homicide. This further leads people to believe that homicide is the most common. Many of individuals who have taken their own lives might have still been here today, had they not had access to guns. With proper laws in place the government would be able to ensure that people who show signs of suicide are unable to obtain a gun legally; and that those who do hold guns are holding them well enough so that others may not gain possession of them.

So what about recreational gun use? Some people are completely for gun control, but are at a crossroad when it comes to using guns recreationally; for example, hunting. According to the International Hunter Education Association, around 1,000 people are killed yearly due to hunting accidents. Although hunting is fun, guns are not always required to do so.Hunters may use arrows as well, but if guns are a necessity then arrangements can be put into place so that those who wish to hunt may use guns to do so in a safe, controlled environment.

As proved, gun laws are only beneficial for everyone. A reduced risk of danger helps not just one individual, but an entire society. With stricter gun laws people will learn to defend themselves in ways that don't mean taking innocent lives. Suicide rates would heavily decrease, giving people another chance at life. Gun laws mean safety for  everyone, and that is why the government should definitely put more of them in place.