BCOM 275
"Would More Stringent Gun Control Laws Save Lives?"
I. Introduction
A. Background information
1. Chicago has the strongest gun control regime in the nation. Chicago had over 500 murders in 2012 and are on pace to surpass that in 2013.
2. Handgun crime in the United Kingdom rose by 40% in the two years after the U.K. passed its gun ban in 1997. (BBC).
3. Washington, D.C. Implemented a gun ban in 1976. After the gun ban was instituted the city ranked first or second in murder rate for 15 years (Levy, 2008).
4. The 2nd Amendment states “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
B. Thesis Statement:
The debate is “Would more stringent gun controls save lives”? The pro argument is that gun control will save lives. The con argument is, gun controls will not save lives. Evaluations of ethical, moral, statistical, and legal issues are identified in relation to gun controls. The team presents the audience with arguments for both sides. The arguments are established to inform the audience of gun control and allow them to make an educated decision on choosing which argument to side with.
II. Con argument of debate.
A. Owning or not owning a gun will not make you less susceptible to experiencing crime.
1. In 2010, in four counties, 444 domestic homicides relating to guns were recorded. In only 8 of these instances, the gun involved had been kept in the home (Lott, pg. 25, 2010)
2. Guns in the wrong hands are dangerous, but in the right hands they are used for protection and deterrence. According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reports, Georgia 's homicide rate dropped 21% after making it easier to get guns, whereas Wisconsin 's rate went up 33% during the same time period after making it more
References: Brady Campaign. (2011, April). Bady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Retrieved from http://www.bradycampaign.org/ OK, Let 's Debate Gun Control! Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444025204577544881193377296.html. Levy, R. A. (2008, Winter). Doctors for Gun Control. Regulation, 31(4), 7-9. Lott, J. R. (2010). More guns, less crime: Understanding crime and gun-control laws. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. National Rifle Association. (2011,April). Villence Policy Center. Retrieved from http://www.nra.org/home.aspx Should civilian possession of handguns and other non-hunting guns be banned or severely restricted?