Gun control debate has gained a lot of momentum within the past few months. The article by Krouse (21) on gun control clearly brings up a contentious debate that has been in existence for the last few months since President Barrack Obama was sworn in for a second term in office. There has been increasing cases of homicide in the recent past.
The shooting of students and their teachers by a gun wielding criminal, the indiscriminate shooting of holiday makers at an island and many other such cases have made various authorities reconsider the law that allows people to own guns. When an individual is able to attack holiday makers in an island and kill a number, then it means that there is a problem somewhere that the government must address. When the law was enacted, the main aim was to increase security among the civilians.
When the gadget proves to be a source of threat, then it is a clear indication that something must be done to ensure that security for all Americans is achieved. This has made a large section of Americans consider enacting gun control legislations that would limit type of guns, and people who are allowed to own guns in this country. On the other hand, there is another group that opposes any attempt to control guns in this country, citing the security of the civilians when they are denied opportunity to own guns.
The argument has been whether or not the government should come up with measures that would control the type of guns that people own, and to determine who deserve to own a gun. The proponents of gun control act cite increasing number of homicide and suicide cases. Opponents cite security of the civilians. This study will be focusing on the need to enact laws that shall regulate ownership of guns in this country as stated by Krouse.
Krouse (36) says that the United States of America is one of the developed economies in the world. The living standards of the Americans are above the average. Insecurity is therefore, not a big problem to people of this nation. However, the scholar notes that this does not mean that there are no crimes in this country.
Although the country does not have high incidents of organized crimes where criminals attack people for the purpose robbing them, incidents where one attacks another over conflicts is common. The recent cases of homicide are a worrying trend because the targets are innocent children and adults.
The United States is a generally secure country. This scholar appreciates the fact that gun control may come with some negative consequences. For instance, there was an incident where one complained that denying civilians access to guns may jeopardize their security, especially single mothers. Gold (114) gives a case where a single mother is attacked by a group of four men in her house. This woman is faced with a scenario where she has to protect the life of her children and herself.
When such a woman has a revolver with about six ammunitions, this scholar says that such a woman will feel helpless because when the gun runs out of ammunitions, she will be at the mercy of the attackers. However, when she has a rifle with enough ammunition, she will feel safe, and will be in a position to protect her family. In as much as Krouse (78) agrees with this argument, he still holds that there should be regulations on ownership of guns in this country.
Krouse makes some assumptions in putting forth his arguments. He says that insecurity is higher in those states where there is higher prevalence of poverty. When these people lack the basic needs, they may be forced to look for awkward means through which they can get what they need. This may include the use of a firearm when it is within their disposal. To support this argument, this scholar says that Maryland is one of the safest states in the United States.
This is because most of the residents of this state are empowered economically. On the other hand, Mississippi is one of the states with the leading cases of insecurity and incidents of homicide and suicide. This scholar says that this is because of lack of economic power. When people lack the capacity to get what is considered basic need, they despair. This despair would always lead to cases where an individual fails to cherish some values in life.
They develop resentment towards some of the important issues within the society. This despair can easily lead to actions that may jeopardize security of the individual or people around him. Before one can consider taking a gun and then spraying bullets into innocent children in schools, this scholar says that there are always series of incidents that would take place in his or her mind.
Such individuals are always traumatized to an extent that they stop reasoning in an upright way. They will act in that manner due to forces that are beyond their control. The same is the case with those who commit suicide. This scholar therefore, says that allowing such individuals access to sophisticated weapons will be putting jeopardy to the lives of several innocent people.
The author successfully brings out his message to the audience in a convincing manner. The facts that he is giving out clearly supports the assumptions made over the issue of debate. It is factual that people who commit crimes using guns are always under due mental depression. The argument that it all starts with poverty is true.
The level of security in Maryland is by far better than that in Mississippi. One may try to look for supportive facts that may support this argument, but one that comes out clearly is the difference in economic status. In Maryland, residents have economic power. They do not have time to spend idling around. This has minimized chances that they can think of any criminal activity, including the thought of committing suicide.
On the other hand, a good number of the residents of Mississippi are economically challenged. The thought of how to provide and care for the family may be so traumatizing that they may think of activities that may be considered a crime under the law of this land. The claim that this scholar brings out in regard to the security threat posed by civilians who own sophisticated guns is valid.
This is specifically so when this gun is accessible to younger individuals. For instance, when a gun is in the hand of an individual going through serious depression due to the inability to care for the family, then such an individual can easily commit suicide with the gun. This author has clearly shown a mastery of knowledge in psychology and stress management, and crime prevention strategies in his support for the motion that seeks to introduce regulation on ownership of guns.
The argument brought out by Krouse clearly demonstrates the current status of security in the United States of America. The United States laws have been relaxed in its laws in regard to ownership of guns. Recent incidents however, clearly show that action must be done, and it should be soon enough in order to avoid further deaths that are related to misuse of guns.
It is a fact that guns may be important as a form of security, especially to those who feel helpless such as single mothers. It is a fact that when civilians own guns, an attacker will be forced to think two about his or her actions because of the knowledge that the intended victim is also armed. However, the negative effects of owning a gun supersede the benefits. That single mother who owns a gun should be aware that any form of carelessness with this weapon will make it turn from a tool of protection to a tool of destruction.
When a child gets hold of the weapon, it can be a big challenge to the security of the entire family, and even to itself. When a teenager gets access to the gun, he or she can use it against others at any slightest provocation. Mentally depressed people may also use such guns to cause damage to members of the society. The more sophisticated the weapon is, the more it will be dangerous to people.
Works Cited
Gold, Susan. Gun Control. New York: Benchmark Books, 2004. Print.
Krouse, William. Gun Control Legislation. Congressional Research Service 7.57 (2012): 1-118. Print.