Guns. Should they be regulated? Should each individual be allowed to own a gun, or should they only be given to trained officials? These are some of the questions regarding gun control that are debated consistently in today’s society. There are multiple ways in which gun control can be beneficial to society as a whole but, in contrast, there are also some disadvantages. How is a father supposed to defend himself and his family if an armed robber chooses to break into his house and threaten to harm his family? No matter how people think of it, gun control is always a controversial topic and, personally, I believe it should be regulated in ways that allow people, only with specific permits, to own certain guns.
Gun control is the regulation of the sale and use of rifles and handguns which came about in 1791, when the right to keep and bears arms gained final ratification. The purposes gun control serve are to help repel invasions, suppress insurrection, facilitate a natural right of self-defense, and to participate in law enforcement.
In today’s society, it has become suggested that one should own a gun in order to protect themselves from the unexpected actions of others. For instance, there was a recent incident in California on Black Friday where a family had just finished their shopping and were walking out of Wal-Mart when a group of men confronted them and demanded that they hand over their items. When the family refused, one of the men pulled out a gun and shot at the father of the family and, because of incidents like this, I personally feel it is necessary to have a gun for protection.
49% of households own a handgun for safety purposes.
xoklc 
Dec 06, 2011 @ 21:55:01
Kira, I like how you chose a controversial topic such as gun regulation to discuss. Your post caught my attention right away and I knew I wanted to respond. I do take a separate stance from you though, even if you are a licensed gun owner, what are the chances that you will have your weapon on hand and loaded, ready for a violent attack? In almost all circumstances I feel it would be too late by the time you reached into your pocket or bag to grab your weapon. I’m also assuming that your attacker would know what to do in a situation where a gun is pointed at them. They would probably knock it right out of your hand.
To me guns are ineffective in preventing crime unless used by trained, law enforcement officials. Think about it, you mention home invasions and the instance that recently occurred outside a Wal-mart store, in either of these situations if you kill or injure your enemy, even if it is out of self-defense, you will be arrested and tried under a court of law. The judge and jury will decide whether your motives were appropriate, and more often then not you will be found guilty to some extent. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t protect yourself and your family to the best of your ability, but I do think responding with gun violence is not the answer. Instead calling 911 and threatening the attacker will make for a more successful outcome to the situation.
Although you make interesting points about gun control being okay if a permit is obtained, I have to say that I disagree with your stance in stating that you “feel it is necessary to have a gun for protection.” I agree that the issue is controversial, but in the end I will always believe that guns are just too dangerous. Whether it is a matter of your gun getting into the wrong hands, or you accidently injuring yourself, I would never feel comfortable owning a firearm.