Gun Control Issues: Identifying Opposing Viewpoints (Essay Sample)

Gun control argument essay
Name
Institution
Gun control argument essay
Gun control issues
Role of guns within society has generated immense debates over the years. Gun control laws are stringent restrictions imposed to regulate sale, ownership, transfer, modification and firearm use as a way of controlling crime as well as related detrimental effects resulting from violence. A number individuals and groups believe guns should not be left under the possession of private citizens (Spitzer, 2015). Such Proponents maintain that mass ownership of guns elevate crimes related to guns, accidental discharge causing injury and possibly suicide. Opponents claim restriction of ownership of guns does not have an impact on reduction of deleterious effects related to ownership and use of guns (Spitzer, 2015). In addition, they contend that gun control is a form of infringement of individual rights of citizens. They believe firearms protect rights of citizens as expressed within the law.
Evidence supporting Gun control
The U.S.A has homicide rates, about 4.8 percent, that are higher compared to most countries in Europe, with France and Australia having 1.1 and 1.0 percent respectively. There have been incidences of shootings within schools and the community in general in America. Every year, close to 100,000 cases of gun related incidences are reported and of these, 11,583 are homicides (Yam, 2016). A case in point that highlights danger of guns in hands of citizens was reported on 2nd of December, 2015. Officials found 14 dead and 21 others wounded when gunmen walked into San Bernardino’s Inland regional center and opened fire (Yam, 2016). Prior to this incidence, 3 people were killed and 9 others injured when Robert Lewis walked into Colorado’s Planned Parenthood clinic and opened fire on children and their parents. Many other cases have been reported mostly in schools which warrant proponents to champion for strict control of gun ownership (Spitzer, 2015).
Evidence against Gun control
Ownership of guns is purposely meant to allow personal protection. Opponents argue that most of the incidences involving shootings within American communities could have been prevented had there been less strict gun ownership laws. A case in point is Firearm incidence during charismas in 2015 (Ingraham, 2015). In this incidence, 27 individuals were killed with 63 others injured. Amongst those who died were parents who were attacked in an ongoing robbery in Ohio State (Ingraham, 2015). A Texas elderly was shot by his wife who alleged extra marital affairs. Other incidences include death of a couple shot dead that very morning while driving close to Maine’s Augusta area (Ingraham, 2015). This and others similar incidence warranted Benny Carson’s response in which he stated that Gun related incidences would have a ...