Gun Control

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/16/us-usa-guns-idUSBRE90F0NU20130116

    I chose this article because I think it is something that has to be addressed as a nation and not as individuals. Gun control is a social problem that affects both sides of the argument. Both proponents have valid points but I feel they need to look more at the protection of its innocent citizens.

    Gun advocates always go back to the constitution and the second amendment which allows its citizens to bear arms. The constitution does not discriminate against any particular weapon. It allows its citizens to protect themselves and their property and family. One of the things they point out is the fact that limiting the high capacity cartridges is not going to deter crime. Any gun owner knows it takes only but a second to reload a second or third magazine. A valid point that was made is that the president wants to limit assault rifles. These semi-automatic assault weapons can only fire as fast as the person behind it can pull the trigger. This is no difference between these semi-automatic pistols which licensed gun carriers carry and use for personal protection and the same type of weapon that everyday honest citizens use to protect their families. One of the last important points gun advocates try to imbed into the public is that  regular citizens need to educate themselves on weapons and how they work. Over and over the government shows videos and pictures of these automatic weapons doing deadly destruction to innocent  people but these are not the same weapons they are trying to ban. Automatic and semi-automatic are totally opposite.

   The general public as a whole thinks there needs to be a ban on weapons and that tighter gun control is the answer. An opinion that they share is if we outlaw the guns then the crime will stop. Their sentiment is that these laws will prevent the criminals from being able to get their hands on the weapons that wreak havoc in the public sector. Emotions run high on this side of the argument and their main concern is the general public safety.

I seem to be on the fence when it comes to this issue. Although I am in favor of gun rights as well as limits on certain weapons, I feel the need for public safety trumps my opinion on gun ownership. The fact that innocent lives continue to be lost senselessly really hits my inner self and brings about my sentiment for the preservation of humanity. Again, because I am on the fence, I also feel that if we outlaw the guns only the outlaws will have them. My only solution is that they allow concealed licensed gun carriers to carry them in more places, which might limit the amount of innocent lives lost due to some opposition at the time of the vigilantism.  In the end, I think both sides need to come to an understanding as to what needs to be done in order to protect its citizens from unlawful criminals. Remember, stiffer laws only apply to honest people which the criminals are not.