Gun violence has been an issue for several years now. I mean, it feels like everyday now that we see the news covering a mass shooting happening somewhere in our country. Whether in a school, movie theater, church, or even inside one’s own home, it feels like there’s no such thing as a safe place anymore. Normal excursions and everyday hobbies are no longer able to be enjoyed without the looming suspicion that something tragic could occur at any moment. Guns have changed the way we view daily life, and the incidents that have transpired at the hands of irresponsible gun use raise the question of whether or not guns should be legal in America.
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants citizens the legal right to carry a gun. Depending on the state, the legal age to carry can be anywhere between ages 18-21. Gun licensing is not required to be obtained before purchase meaning that subjectively citizens have easy access to acquiring a firearm. While gun responsibility is typically encouraged, most people do not follow these advisories as many murders in today’s society involve the use of a firearm to some capacity. In fact, gun violence is so prevalent today that schools have implemented drills and protocols to follow in the event of any potential school shootings.
The recklessness of gun use has led many people to express their discomfort with the looseness of gun acquiring laws. Many people believe that the easy accessibility of guns plays a role in the high number of gun incidents. These debates have drawn an even bigger question—should guns be banned completely?
Well, we have to think about why most people own guns. Guns are used as a form of self defense—or at least they should be. As the world continues to become increasingly dangerous by the year, having an ideal form of self-defense is vital for survival. Lacking this protection would leave many to be a “sitting duck”, or would make them vulnerable to the risk of being attacked with no way of defending themselves.
People also own guns to hunt for prey. Hunting, for some, may be a primary method of acquiring food. Banning guns takes away this source of survival, and completely changes the lifestyle of many people who may not want to spend loads of money on groceries.
So the real question is—-how do we manage gun use without violating our Second Amendment right and removing a convenient resource for self-defense? It’s a bit of a tricky situation because while we want to manage the misuse of guns to protect the lives of many people, we also don’t want to take away a person’s ability to protect themselves. Implementing stricter protocols and guidelines during the gun acquisition process may help decrease accessibility and ensure that gun owners are committed to exhibiting responsible behaviors while carrying. Taking the necessary steps to advise and train individuals on appropriate gun use and making guns not as easily accessible may help keep our country safe while protecting the natural-born rights of our citizens.
