Joshua T Craig

Gun control is one of the most controversial and highly debated topics of modern-day society. It comes down to the right to firearms and public safety. Proponents and opponents commonly carry highly emotive histories, cultures and personal persuasions.

1. Pro Gun Control Arguments

Supporters of tougher gun laws believe that restricting certain types of guns and imposing other restrictions on those who are allowed to own them will in turn reduce the amount of gun violence, mass shootings, and accidental deaths.

Near the top of the list, they often include places where gun laws are extremely strict and without a variation are demonstrably far less likely to be the sites of incidents involving guns.

Common recommendations include:
Ban guns to people with criminal records
More background checks
Forcing waiting periods for the purchase of guns
Banning high-capacity magazines and assault weapons of any kind
Requiring safe storage laws to prevent accidental discharges

2. Arguments Against Stricter Gun Laws

The constitutional right to keep and bear arms, is part of the Second Amendment of the US Constitution. Responsible gun ownership is an example of self-defense that acts against tyranny.

Some argue that crime is a matter of individual morality and not the tools they use, so regular citizens should not be punished for criminals doing terrorist acts.

3. Public Safety and Accountability

The vast majority of people, no matter their politics, certainly think that guns should be taken out of the hands of individuals who are considered dangerous. There is broad support for measures including mental health checks, strengthening data systems on law enforcement databases, and educational programs on gun safety.

4. A Global Perspective

Different countries have starkly different gun legislation. In Japan, the UK and other countries with strict gun laws, firearm-related deaths are very low because of restrictions on owning guns. On the other hand, the proliferation of guns tends to be associated with higher numbers of deaths and injuries as a result of gun crime, although cultural, economic and social differences can shape these trajectories.

5. The Continuing Challenge

Gun control is about more than law, it is a question of culture, trust and identity. Consensus is often a two-fisted battle in which you also have to cater equally to someone’s jitter as well for those who are alarmed at their fundamental rights being stripped.

We will continue to grapple with gun control in an unpredictable, polarized, deeply divided ecosystem. Resolution of such policies to balance personal freedoms against public health will require sacrifices, science-based measures, and a shared commitment to minimizing harm while preserving liberties.