Gun Control Laws Increase Violent Crimes

Cheryl Jackson
ENG 101
Professor
November 7, 2012

“Firearms Laws”

The debate over people being allowed to carry guns has been going on for a long time. The real debate should be whether or not these laws are really reducing or increasing violent crimes in America today. According to the website, Gunowners.org, an individual can purchase any firearm from a federal, firearms licensee (FFL) in another state by going to his place of business(Gun). The right to keep and bear arms is addressed in the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. Federal gun laws are enforced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). They have done a really good job in the past. In my opinion, these gun laws aren’t reducing
These people think that adding more gun laws would make the crime rates increase across the nation. Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research, for the online newspaper Washington Policy Center, states that “real-world experience shows that adding more gun control does not reduce violent crime. Washington, D.C. has some of the nation’s most restrictive gun control laws, and one of the worst violent crime rates in the country. Britain, Australia and Canada have all imposed sweeping gun laws in recent years, and violent crime rates have increased dramatically in each country” (Guppy). He goes on to say, “In fact, imposing more gun control is worse than ineffective, because it makes it harder for citizens to defend themselves when the police are not on hand to protect them. Research shows that guns are used thousands of times each year to prevent crimes” (Guppy). He thinks that if we take guns away from responsible, everyday citizens that they won’t be able to defend themselves. There are many instances that this would be true. American citizens should be allowed to defend themselves by any means necessary. There would be nothing stopping from shooting someone that breaks into my house and tries to do harm to me and my family. I wouldn’t hesitate one second. Mr. Guppy makes some very valid points, but do we want guns in every household in America? Seems like a scary
There are so many people on both sides of the issue that it will not ever stop being debated. There are some good points from both sides of the debate. There should be stricter background policies that should be run on people. People should not be allowed to have over 10 rounds for certain types of guns. People should not be allowed to carry AK-47s because these should be used only for military purposes. Americans should be able to defend themselves with presented with danger. In my real opinion, I think gun laws should a lot stricter than they are. These background checks should be way more thorough and if any past wrongdoings or mishaps show up, then their permits should be revoked. The places that sell guns should be checked in on periodically as well. I’m sure these places help people get guns that shouldn’t be getting them. I think it is completely insane to think that American citizens would be safer if everyone were allowed to have guns. There would be more accidental shootings than ever imaginable if this happened. I have owned a gun for several years and have only fired it couple of times to make sure I can use it. I have never had to use it, but I would if my life or family was in danger. I don’t like guns and never have, so I think the gun laws are too weak and should be stricter than they are now. A lot of innocent people would be alive if