The Pros And Cons Of Gun Control
“Four out of every 10 Americans own a gun. And nearly 3 out 4 believe that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual the right to have a firearm.” (Schwartz 2011 n.p.) Many Americans believe that concealed weapons are the main cause of violence. There have been many controversial, religious and political issues addressing gun control, concealed weapons and banning fire-arms in the U.S. that have been going on for many years. Gun Control is an action of the government that is suppose to reduce crime. The right to bear arms is Americans constitutional right; this right is ensured by the 2nd Amendment. Others believe that concealed weapons make life safer. After the massacres at Columbine High School and Virginia Tech University, the question is always the same: How could this tragedy have been prevented? “Recent Gallup polls show that only 38 percent of Americans think the most important way to combat gun violence is through stricter gun laws; 58 percent
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believe more should be done to enforce current laws instead. And more than two thirds oppose an outright ban on handguns.” (Schwartz 2011 n.p.) If concealed carry were allowed on America’s campuses, there is no doubt that many students would feel uncomfortable about not knowing whether their professors and fellow students were carrying handguns. Students and teachers must be able to express themselves freely in classroom environments, where discussions frequently touch on controversial topics that arouse passion.
Students for Gun Free schools believes that; Concealed handguns would detract from a healthy learning environment, more guns on campus would create additional risk for students, shooters would not be deterred by concealed carry permit holders, concealed carry permit holders may not always be “law-abiding” citizens and concealed carry permit holders are not required to have law enforcement training. (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.)
As I do believe this too, many people could argue these points. Guns are used to threaten and intimidate far more often than they are used in self-defense. This is no doubt partially due to the lack of formal training among those purchasing firearms and receiving permits to carry concealed handguns in the United States. “In 2005, there was a total of 12,352 gun related homicides in the United States. Yet, during the same year, the FBI reported only 143 justifiable homicides involving a firearm” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). Most of the campus shootings in America, in recent years were murder suicides. It is unlikely these shooters have been deterred by the knowledge that their fellow students or campus faculty might have been armed. “A Violence Policy Center study found that Texas concealed handguns license holders were arrested for weapon related offenses at a rate 81% higher than the general population of Texas aged 21 and older” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). The bottom line is that even if someone passes a background check and qualifies for a concealed carry permit that person is not necessarily a law-abiding citizen. They could have a substantial criminal record involving misdemeanor offenses or a history of mental illness. “It is notable that campus shooters including Gang Lu, Wayne Lo, Robert Flores, Biswanath Halder, Seung-Hui Cho, Latina Williams and Steven Kazmierczak passed background checks in acquiring the firearms used in their attacks” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). Some possessed a concealed carry permit in their home states. The overwhelming majority of the 4,314 colleges and universities in the United States prohibit students and faculty from carrying concealed handguns on campus. Homicides at American colleges and universities remain rare events. “Whether it’s a classroom debate, a student-teacher conversation about a grade, or an informal interaction in a dormitory; the presence of hidden handguns would restrain the open exchange of ideas that is critical to the college experience.” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.) The college experience is about feeling comfortable and a place for someone that can be themselves, for me knowing a fellow peer has a concealed weapon and no permit would make me feel uncomfortable and make me not want to be myself because it will be terrifying that someone might not like someone else and not believe the same things as they do, no one would want to rub this person the wrong day and the next time they see, they pull a gun on them.
In order to foster a healthy learning environment at America’s colleges and universities, it is critical that students and faculty feel safe on campus. If concealed carry were allowed on America’s campuses there are no doubts that many students would feel uncomfortable about not knowing whether their professors and fellow students were carrying handguns. “In 2003, there were 11,920 total gun homicides in the United States, but only 10 total murders on the nation’s college campuses.”(Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). Campus shooters are also frequently
suicidal. Allowing loaded and accessible weapons in our national parks will create a dangerous environment for the millions of Americans and tourists from around the world who visit our national parks every year. These park visitors expect a safe and enjoyable experience—not loaded guns and stray bullets. Poaching will increase in our national parks, upsetting the delicate balance between park visitors and wildlife. It will create a confusing patchwork of regulation that will be impossible to enforce. That's because some parks, like Death Valley National Park, cross state lines. California prohibits concealed weapons in its state parks. Nevada does not. Which state's law will apply at Death Valley? “The new regulation itself is vague and confusing because it permits state law on gun possession to determine whether guns are allowed in national parks. But many states—including California—generally allow the carrying of concealed weapons with a permit, but prohibit their possession in state parks. The new regulation isn't clear on which state law applies.” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.)
believe more should be done to enforce current laws instead. And more than two thirds oppose an outright ban on handguns.” (Schwartz 2011 n.p.) If concealed carry were allowed on America’s campuses, there is no doubt that many students would feel uncomfortable about not knowing whether their professors and fellow students were carrying handguns. Students and teachers must be able to express themselves freely in classroom environments, where discussions frequently touch on controversial topics that arouse passion.
Students for Gun Free schools believes that; Concealed handguns would detract from a healthy learning environment, more guns on campus would create additional risk for students, shooters would not be deterred by concealed carry permit holders, concealed carry permit holders may not always be “law-abiding” citizens and concealed carry permit holders are not required to have law enforcement training. (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.)
As I do believe this too, many people could argue these points. Guns are used to threaten and intimidate far more often than they are used in self-defense. This is no doubt partially due to the lack of formal training among those purchasing firearms and receiving permits to carry concealed handguns in the United States. “In 2005, there was a total of 12,352 gun related homicides in the United States. Yet, during the same year, the FBI reported only 143 justifiable homicides involving a firearm” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). Most of the campus shootings in America, in recent years were murder suicides. It is unlikely these shooters have been deterred by the knowledge that their fellow students or campus faculty might have been armed. “A Violence Policy Center study found that Texas concealed handguns license holders were arrested for weapon related offenses at a rate 81% higher than the general population of Texas aged 21 and older” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). The bottom line is that even if someone passes a background check and qualifies for a concealed carry permit that person is not necessarily a law-abiding citizen. They could have a substantial criminal record involving misdemeanor offenses or a history of mental illness. “It is notable that campus shooters including Gang Lu, Wayne Lo, Robert Flores, Biswanath Halder, Seung-Hui Cho, Latina Williams and Steven Kazmierczak passed background checks in acquiring the firearms used in their attacks” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). Some possessed a concealed carry permit in their home states. The overwhelming majority of the 4,314 colleges and universities in the United States prohibit students and faculty from carrying concealed handguns on campus. Homicides at American colleges and universities remain rare events. “Whether it’s a classroom debate, a student-teacher conversation about a grade, or an informal interaction in a dormitory; the presence of hidden handguns would restrain the open exchange of ideas that is critical to the college experience.” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.) The college experience is about feeling comfortable and a place for someone that can be themselves, for me knowing a fellow peer has a concealed weapon and no permit would make me feel uncomfortable and make me not want to be myself because it will be terrifying that someone might not like someone else and not believe the same things as they do, no one would want to rub this person the wrong day and the next time they see, they pull a gun on them.
In order to foster a healthy learning environment at America’s colleges and universities, it is critical that students and faculty feel safe on campus. If concealed carry were allowed on America’s campuses there are no doubts that many students would feel uncomfortable about not knowing whether their professors and fellow students were carrying handguns. “In 2003, there were 11,920 total gun homicides in the United States, but only 10 total murders on the nation’s college campuses.”(Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.). Campus shooters are also frequently
suicidal. Allowing loaded and accessible weapons in our national parks will create a dangerous environment for the millions of Americans and tourists from around the world who visit our national parks every year. These park visitors expect a safe and enjoyable experience—not loaded guns and stray bullets. Poaching will increase in our national parks, upsetting the delicate balance between park visitors and wildlife. It will create a confusing patchwork of regulation that will be impossible to enforce. That's because some parks, like Death Valley National Park, cross state lines. California prohibits concealed weapons in its state parks. Nevada does not. Which state's law will apply at Death Valley? “The new regulation itself is vague and confusing because it permits state law on gun possession to determine whether guns are allowed in national parks. But many states—including California—generally allow the carrying of concealed weapons with a permit, but prohibit their possession in state parks. The new regulation isn't clear on which state law applies.” (Opposing Viewpoints 2011 n.p.)