Young people often become victims of violent actions because of the criminals’ superiority in power. The focus on the armed self-defense is one of the choices made by a young person while facing the risk of being assaulted. From this point, the person’s decision to own a gun and use it for self-defense in dangerous environments is based on the analysis of a range of effects of such a problematic decision. In spite of the fact that the intended and fatal shootings are discussed as the most critical consequences of using guns in dangerous environments and situations, a young person should risk owning guns because of such positive effects of the decision as the possibility to prevent the criminal threat and harm, compensate the inequality in forces, and sustain the psychological comfort.
The main negative consequences of owning a gun and using it in unusual situations are the intended and fatal shootings. Although the death of a criminal as a result of using a gun for self-defense is often classified as the necessary action for the victim’s protection, the consequences of the case can be discussed as negative in the legal, financial, and psychological contexts. According to Cousins, those people who killed the aggressor should realize the real cause of the person’s death (Cousins 340). As a result, a victim who protected oneself with the help of a gun can become conscience-stricken and even depressed. However, speaking about the psychological value of such a possible effect of owning a gun, it is important to state that the use of a weapon can be the only chance for a young person to protect oneself and save the life in dangerous environments.
Therefore, the main positive effect of owning a gun is a clear opportunity to prevent the criminal threat directed toward a young person and reduce the risk of much possible harm. Since the situation of owning a gun is risky, it is important to pay much attention to the ways of preventing and reducing a threat based on using many tools and techniques other than guns. However, there are many situations when traditional ways to prevent conflicts do not work. Thus, Hasselstrom states that it is important to use the same tactics as criminals use in order to succeed in dangerous situations (Hasselstrom 355). From this perspective, the main tactic which can be used by a victim is the focus on fearing the criminal. According to Hasselstrom, a gun can be discussed as a “response in the same language,” which is used in the situation when criminals attack weak victims (Hasselstrom 357). Therefore, the use of a gun by a young person provokes fear, and the chances to reduce the risk of a crime increase significantly. Protection from the possible assault can be considered as the main effect of owning a gun by young men and women.
The next positive effect of owning a gun and demonstrating it in a lot of dangerous environments is a chance to compensate for the inequality in relation to the balance of the victim and the criminal’s forces. In order to prevent a crime, it is necessary to change the balance of power observed in a dangerous situation (Hasselstrom 358). A young person can choose to use a gun when a criminal attacks him or her, and the use of a weapon can be demonstrated in the form of an attempt to brandish a gun or in the form of the actual shooting. According to Kleck, the “display of the weapon could deter the unarmed party from further escalation of hostilities” (Kleck 118). It is important to note that this rule also works for frightening the armed criminals because they often do not expect that victims can demonstrate significant repulse. Consequently, the forces of criminals and victims become balanced because their roles in the conflict are shifted. Thus, the focus on balancing the powers is the next main effect of owning a gun to use it in conflicts with strangers or criminals.
One more consequence of owning a gun is the young person’s psychological comfort and the increased sense of security, which are important for all human beings. The fact of owning a gun provides a person with a feeling of security, which is necessary to act consciously and reasonably in many challenging and risky situations. Therefore, the understanding of the fact that a person owns a gun and that he can use it legally often leads to such positive effects as the psychological comfort, feeling of safety, reduction of the fear, and the increased dignity. Hasselstrom states that guns are good in those situations when politeness cannot work appropriately, resolving a problem (Hasselstrom 358). As a result, the young person should understand that he or she has the right to self-defense, and the use of guns leads to increase chances of protecting one’s life. Furthermore, there are dangerous environments and situations when owning a gun, a person can protect oneself not only from criminals but also from animals. The source of aggression can be different and owning a gun, a person can feel security and avoid being frightened.
The situation of owning a gun by a young person can result in a lot of various effects, which can be both negative and positive, depending on the character of the situation, on the severity of the conflict, and on the responsible attitude of the gun owner. Although the use of guns can lead to the death of an aggressor, a young person should risk using a gun in order to protect security. While owning a gun, a person can prevent harm because of demonstrating the opportunity to protect oneself. The next consequence of owning a gun is the opportunity to overcome many disparities between a criminal and a victim observed in dangerous environments. The final positive effect of focusing on guns is the increased dignity and confidence, as well as the reduced fear because of understanding the possibility for effective self-protection.
Works Cited
Cousins, Norman. “Who Killed Benny Paret?” Patterns for College Writing. Ed. Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 339-341. Print.
Hasselstrom, Linda. “A Peaceful Women Explains Why She Carries a Gun”. Patterns for College Writing. Ed. Laurie Kirszner and Stephen Mandell. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 354-359. Print.
Kleck, Gary. Point Blank: Guns and Violence in America. New York, NY: Transaction Publishers, 2005. Print.