Introduction
Guns are the most widely used weapons today. The fact that they both cause and prevent violent crimes brings about a serious debate on how to properly regulate their ownership. It is notable that most violent crimes, especially in more developed countries, are committed using firearms. Gun control involves laws and policies aimed at regulating the selling, possession and use of firearms.
A number of people opposing gun control believe that it will only provide the criminals with an opportunity to possess guns hence living local citizens at risk (Spitzer 219). Majority of the Americans also feel that they have the right to possess firearms hence the issue of gun control will only be against their constitutional rights. Conversely, it is important to appreciate that gun control will have a greater benefit, especially to the college students who have recently experienced a spate of killings.
Importance of gun control
Considering the spate of mass killings in various learning institutions, especially in America, it is important to note that gun control will be the only viable solution to the problem. The idea that gun control will only provide the criminals with an opportunity to possess guns hence living local citizens at risk is not true. This is because criminals have possessed guns even before the introduction of gun control.
Therefore, gun control will reduce the number of criminals bearing arms. It will also reduce the rate of killings or criminal activities. America is the country which has experienced many school shootings over the last years (Valdez 126). This clearly explains why the country has been in the forefront in the fight against illegal possession of firearms. Currently, there is a debate on gun control where majority of the Americans have boldly come out in its support.
The issue of gun control should also be extended to the learning institutions where students should not be allowed to possess guns. Over the past years, there have been a number of reports about students killing each other.
Consequently, this problem would only be solved through controlling the use or possession of firearms. Those individuals who believe that it is their constitutional right to possess guns are not realistic. It is almost impossible to imagine that every individual in a society can possess one or more firearms as this will only increase the rate of criminal activities and killings.
Therefore, such claims are generally not genuine, but based largely on self- interest. Recent report by the small arms survey indicates that the majority of firearms in the world are owned by civilians both legally and illegally. The United States tops the list with private ownership as high as 88.8 %, while some countries like South Korea have about 1%. With continuous manufacture and limited destruction of the firearms, the figure is on the rise.
Gun control is aimed at improving public safety by enacting effective laws and policies. Since many developed countries believe in democracy, their governments always consider public opinion when making their decisions. However, gun control has been a highly controversial subject. The increased rate of killings in the learning institutions have been linked with high number of students currently possessing firearms.
Additionally, it has also been connected with the unrestrictive gun laws. Even though many students are still not allowed to possess guns, they are able to obtain firearms from their parents. Therefore, the issue of gun control should first be made effective on parents. A number of individuals opposing the move still believe that it is against the constitution. For instance, the Americans who oppose gun control believe that it is against the second amendment which authorizes individuals to possess and keep firearms.
It is important to note that this right should not be denied, but must also be safeguarded from abuse by criminals. This objective can only be achieved by putting viable safety measures. In fact, some proponents of gun control argue that it only gives people the right for defense, but does not explicitly give them the authority to carry concealed weapons.
Proper gun control should start with understanding the relationship between those students possessing firearms and those without firearms. This is because unarmed students are more likely to be victimized while those who are armed are likely to commit serious crimes. Arguably, increase in the rate of crime in the learning institutions will only be solved by disarming students and putting up strict rules on gun possession (Gold 197). Consequently, this will ensure that both the learning institutions and the students are safe.
According to a number of researches carried out, it is believed that most of the students illegally possess the firearms. This is because they are still considered to be immature to handle such weapons. This clearly explains why majority of the Americans are supporting gun control. Therefore, they believe that their governments should act faster by implementing strict gun control measures. Those individuals who are against gun control still argue that the mass killings in learning institutions are linked with mental problems.
For instance, they believe that those students who use guns to kill each other are not mentally upright. According to them, the issue can be addressed medically and not regulating the possession of firearms (Crooker 315). As the president of Oglethorpe University stated in response to the December 2012 Connecticut Sandy Hook Elementary School’s shooting, increasing the number of guns in campuses would endanger rather than safeguard the safety of the fraternity.
Since firearms ease execution of a crime, disagreements can easily escalate to a bloody aftermath. This is because most students at this level are quite sensitive. However, it is also important to note that most of the learning institutions are always peaceful hence many crimes are always committed outside campuses.
Very little effect will be felt in campuses after the courts shall have provided their position on the issue of gun control. Since the possession of firearms by students is not considered to be safe, college presidents should also implement laws that would regulate this vice. If the students must be allowed to possess guns, then they should keep them at home when going for their studies.
Conclusion
Conclusively, Proper gun control should start with clearly defining who should be prohibited from possessing firearms. Mentally unfit persons should be identified and taken care of, while ex- convicts and those individuals who have been dishonorably discharged from the forces should be monitored.
Additional restrictions will reduce the number of people allowed to possess guns. Moreover, concealed firearms should be limited to inside homes. The type of gun licensed should also consider public safety. A combination of these steps would greatly reduce gun violence in leaning institutions and the society as a whole.
Works Cited
Crooker, Constance E. Gun Control and Gun Rights. Westport (Conn.: Greenwood press, 2003. Print.
Gold, Susan D. Gun Control. New York: Benchmark Books, 2004. Print.
Spitzer, Robert J. Gun Control: A Documentary and Reference Guide. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2009. Print.
Valdez, Angela. Gun Control. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003. Internet resource.