Ethicality of Gun Ownership for Civilians in the Philippines
Ethicality of Gun Ownership for Civilians in the Philippines
In this paper, we will argue that prohibition of gun ownership for civilians/ non-commissioned citizens is unethical and impractical. We will assert that prohibition of guns will not resolve crimes and will not eliminate accidents. Our stand is to create better provisions or to improve the current law, that will cater the interests of many (the gun owners and users and the common civilians) which is better that side with a certain group.
The recent call to prohibit gun ownership for civilians here in the Philippines became rampant after the death of Stephanie Nicole Ella, a 7-year-old child that was hit by a stray bullet last New Year’s Eve. Three days after the death of Stephanie, a shooting rampage in Kawit, Cavite that left 8 people dead and 12 others wounded. These successions of events alerted many Filipinos including the Roman Catholic bishops together with other concerned citizens who voiced out their calls for a permanent gun ban. In fact, gun ban in the Philippines is only observed during elections, but the above-mentioned people wanted the government to implement a total gun ban through out the year. 1
Now here comes the ethical dilemma. If the government implements a total gun ban, then those who own guns or using guns would protest. On the other hand, if we continue living under the same status quo, some people would say that the government is not considering their safety. We will be analyzing the said topic with utilitarian ethics which deals with the greater good principle, which means that the right act is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number. (Mill, 1871) Utilitarianism is a theory under normative ethics that is claiming that the proper course of action should be the one that maximizes utility. It is based on the principle of utility. Under this theory, utility is defined as something that is found in everything which contributes to
In this paper, we will argue that prohibition of gun ownership for civilians/ non-commissioned citizens is unethical and impractical. We will assert that prohibition of guns will not resolve crimes and will not eliminate accidents. Our stand is to create better provisions or to improve the current law, that will cater the interests of many (the gun owners and users and the common civilians) which is better that side with a certain group.
The recent call to prohibit gun ownership for civilians here in the Philippines became rampant after the death of Stephanie Nicole Ella, a 7-year-old child that was hit by a stray bullet last New Year’s Eve. Three days after the death of Stephanie, a shooting rampage in Kawit, Cavite that left 8 people dead and 12 others wounded. These successions of events alerted many Filipinos including the Roman Catholic bishops together with other concerned citizens who voiced out their calls for a permanent gun ban. In fact, gun ban in the Philippines is only observed during elections, but the above-mentioned people wanted the government to implement a total gun ban through out the year. 1
Now here comes the ethical dilemma. If the government implements a total gun ban, then those who own guns or using guns would protest. On the other hand, if we continue living under the same status quo, some people would say that the government is not considering their safety. We will be analyzing the said topic with utilitarian ethics which deals with the greater good principle, which means that the right act is the one that produces the greatest happiness for the greatest number. (Mill, 1871) Utilitarianism is a theory under normative ethics that is claiming that the proper course of action should be the one that maximizes utility. It is based on the principle of utility. Under this theory, utility is defined as something that is found in everything which contributes to
References: 1 Esguerra & Tubeza. (2013, January 6). Call for a total gun ban up. Retrieved: March 30, 2013 from: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/335765/call-for-total-gun-ban-up Fallujah. (2013, January 7). Why we will not give in. Retrieved: April 2, 2013 from: http://progun.ph/content/why-we-will-not-give GunPolicy.org. (n.d.). Philippines — gun facts, figures and the law. Retrieved: April 2, 2013 from: http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/philippines Kant, I. (2005). Groundwork for the metaphysics of morals. (T. K. Abbott, Trans.; L. Denis, Ed.). Mississauga, Canada: True to Type Inc. Kwe, A. (2013, March). Lecture conducted from University of the Philippines, Laguna. Laurel, H. T. (2013, January 7). Gun ownership is a right?. Retrieved: April 1, 2013 from: http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/item/8814-gun-ownership-is-a-right LaFollette, H 4 Macaraig, M. (2010, July 31). Philippine gun lovers celebrate new president. Retrieved: April 1, 2013 from: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jmrkk10i6-xtpMAsXjGcQs_hJb5A Mill, J Mogato, M. (2012, July 28). Philippine gun makers take aim from the backyard to the production line. Retrieved: April 2, 2013 from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/29/us-philippines-guns-idUSBRE86S00S20120729 Philippine imposes gun ban to stop poll violence. (2013, January 13). Retrieved: March 30, 2013 from: http://www.philstar.com/breaking-news/2013/01/13/896507/philippines-imposes-gun-ban-stop-poll-violence 5 Reyes, M.N 6 Santos, P. C. (2013, January 9). Get loose guns of goons, private armies, prelate dares Roxas. Retrieved: April 2, 2013 from: http://tribune.net.ph/index.php/nation/item/8940-get-loose-guns-of-goons-private-armies-prelate-dares-roxas Stacklin, J. (2013, January 4). Philippines shootings illustrate worldwide gun violence problem. Retrieved: April 2, 2013 from: http://news.yahoo.com/philippines-shooting-spree-illustrates-global-gun-violence--190043649.html Utilitarian philosophy. (n.d.). Retrieved: March 30, 2013 from: http://utilitarianphilosophy.com/definition.eng.html -------------------------------------------- [ 3 ]. Kant makes it clear that what makes a will good has nothing to do with "what it accomplishes or effects" (Kant, 2005).