The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School increased my interest on the essence of controlling firearm. I strongly believe that everyone is entitled to a safe environment and as such freedom of life in general. Currently, gun-related deaths have become rampant in the United States. There are various positive arguments that support the use of gun in certain circumstances. For instance, victims of rape, assault, and robberies are less likely to suffer in case they arm themselves with guns. Nevertheless, increased gun related mortality and injury has led to the establishment of firearm control policies(Wuest). Among the western countries, the U.S gun control laws are the most lenient. This infringes on citizen’s rights to life and liberty when people in possession of guns engage in gun violence.
Approximately one hundred thousand shootings occur in the U.S. annually( Carter). This creates despair among families and friends whose relatives die or suffer serious injuries. Further, careless gun shootings have led to a drastic decline in life expectancy in the U.S(Wuest). In addition, personal firearm ownership has increased gun suicide and domestic violence. Therefore, there is a significant need to control loss of life through gun shooting and suicide. The right to own a gun and use it for self-protection has been considered American culture for a long period. Nonetheless, I believe that the government should reconsider the right and put certain restrictions such as age limit. Further, people who make bad use of guns should be punished. This will not only reduce gun related deaths, but will also eliminate the instances of domestic violence. In addition, firearm ownership should be controlled in order to protect innocent people who lose their lives from gun related incidents.
Works Cited
Carter, Gregg Lee. Gun Control in the United States. Revised. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2008.
Wuest, Michael E. The Great American Gun Control Debate. Illustrated. Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2010.