Gun Control Does NOT Deter Crime

Groups such as the NRA argue that gun control does little to actually deter crime, therefore, why limit the right of law abiding citizens. A November 2013 study found that, between 1980 and 2009, "assault weapons bans did not significantly affect murder rates at the state level," Likewise, "states with restrictions on the carrying of concealed weapons had higher gun-related murders" (M. Guis, 2013). The goal of gun control should be results, not merely implementing policy for the sake of policy. Additional studies show that states with the largest increases in gun ownership also have the largest drops in violent crimes. Likewise, when states pass the right to carry concealed gun laws, deaths from mass shootings plummeted on average by 90 percent (Lott, 1998). Interestingly, as the amount of firearms in a population increases the amount of crime correspondingly
However, when have criminals been a type of people to abide by the law; by definition a criminal is one who will break the law. Statistics support this assertion, 37.4% of prison inmates who used, carried, or possessed a firearm when they committed the crime for which they were serving their prison sentence obtained the gun from a family member or friend (Planty, Truman 2013). Furthermore, to advocate for gun control is also to advocate removing firearms from law abiding civilians, who could need weapons for self-defense, which happens about 2.5 Million times a year (NRA, 2014). Likewise, a survey of convicted felons found that 48% admitted that they avoided committing crimes when they knew the victim was armed (Write, Rossi, 1985). This evidence further supports the view-point that criminals are less likely to endanger themselves when committing crimes, therefore, citizens should be armed. Policies should not remove the most basic right to self protection in dire