Rising gun violence in North America keeps the issue of gun control in the spotlight. Advocates for and against can substantiate their views, making solutions difficult.
Facts that fuel the argument for gun control are:
- Gun violence is on the rise in urban areas
- Gun control regulations are generally unenforceable
- Illegal guns are often easier to obtain than legal guns
- Training in gun safety isn't much more than how to load, aim, and fire
- Advocating gun control can be a sure-fire way for a politician to lose an election
Gun freedom advocates naturally deplore gun violence but they still want their guns. To make their case they argue:
- Registration and regulations are too complex and costly
- Guns are a necessity in rural areas
- Guns have sport and recreational value
- Responsible gun use is far more common than criminal use
- Crime prevention--the potential of a crime victim having a gun is a deterrent
The bottom line for gun control advocates is curbing gun violence. They cite:
- Need for uniform universal gun registration and regulation
- Need for mandatory gun safety training
- Crime prevention--take away the guns and criminal opportunity is reduced
Like many emotional issues, there's truth to every talking point. Yet, urban gun violence is definitely on the rise. It may be a random drive-by shooting or a domestic settling of accounts. It may be a mom-and-pop store robbery, a home invasion, or a drug deal gone wrong. It may be a Columbine. People are scrambling to arm themselves, not so much to shoot their neighbors as to deter their neighbors from shooting them.
Perhaps regulators should put their boots on the ground at these levels. It would be better than more bodies on the ground.
