Since times immemorial, people have used weapons for protection, attack, and entertainment. Gradually, the issue of legal ownership of weapons came to the fore, and governments introduced laws restricting or even forbidding possession of weapons by average citizens. At present, there continues a heated debate on the appropriateness of firearms possession by mass population. Despite the multiple arguments for gun control, it appears reasonable to allow more freedom in gun possession to average citizens.
One reason for raising the ban on firearms possession is the necessity for change in psychological attitudes to guns. A standard stereotype of weapons in modern society is that of forbidden fruit: every ‘real guy’ dreams of having a gun as a sign of his masculinity and power.
But at the same time, perception of guns as connected with illegal criminal world keeps people from purchasing guns. Supposedly, a more relaxed and normative attitude to guns would only worsen the situation as weapons would be in unskillful hands.
Admittedly, that might cause a chaotic atmosphere around weapons, but the key to success in this case is educating people about weapons. Making society more aware of weapons capacities would prove much more efficient than putting a veil of secrecy around guns.
Another argument for allowing public access to weapons is that once in possession of a gun, individuals would feel more protected against the possible attacks on their life and property. It is often the case that people live in remote areas, or districts with high crime rate, or the police simply fail to arrive in time to protect the citizens from violent assaults. Being in possession of a gun would allow the individual to employ own capacities for self-protection.
Arguably, increase in the amount of guns carried by average population would still raise criminal activities. For a moment, it does seem possible: the more guns, the more murders; but upon logical consideration it appears that guns do not shoot by themselves, it is always people who fire those guns. Thus, if criminals are aware that citizens can protect themselves with own guns, they would not dare attack so often.
Finally, possession of weapons should be legalized in modern society since thus the desired equality in rights would be ensured. Historically, carrying firearms has been the privilege of the rich and influential, and slaves were not entitled to possess any guns. Nowadays, when humanity is concerned with observing human rights, it becomes a primary task to ensure those rights are honoured with respect to the right to self-protection as well.
Surely, guns should be in wise and skillful hands. However, this does not mean average people should be deprived of the right to self-protection. On the contrary, more awareness of weapons should be introduced to ensure a higher self-confidence and security among the citizens.
After all, gun control appears powerless for achieving a safe living environment. Making guns legal and lifting the veil of forbidenness over them secures a self-confident society where human rights are honoured at every level.