Why Gun Control Is Bad

Argumentative Essay All guns have the potential to be dangerous and should be handled with care. Guns have been part of American life for as long as people can remember. For most people guns are perceived as very dangerous and harmful. However, that is not true; guns can be dangerous, but only if they are in the wrong hands. Owning a gun is right that every American should be able to take pride in having. Guns are used for self-defense, hunting, law enforcement and other uses. The right to own a gun is protected in the 2nd constitutional amendment.

Therefore, banning guns from being owned or purchased is wrong and unconstitutional. Gun control in the United States should be abolished. It is true that almost 100,000 people are injured or killed by guns in the United States every year (Scalia). However, 3. 5 million people in the United States have conceal-to-carry and owners permits for their guns (Stearns). These injuries are mostly accidental and only about 17 percent of those are criminal (Scalia). Clearly, most of the guns owned in America are used for self defense and are not meant for harm. Over 100 million people in the United States own guns solely for self-defense (Stearns).

Cliff Stearns said in Laws Permitting Concealed Guns Ensure Public Safety, “Found in a study by the U. S. Department of Justice, 64 percent of convicted felons said they had been scared off or “shot off” by a victim carrying a concealed gun” (Stearns). This clearly proves that allowing concealed weapons decreases crime and helps protect people. Therefore, the pros of concealed weapons outweigh it’s cons. One argument is that thousands of illegal firearms are sold and distributed throughout the United States every year; this is a reason why some suggest banning guns completely.

On the contrary, over $100 million in United States government revenue is generated by legal gun and ammunition sales every year (Weir 156). Although there are many guns sold illegally, the almost all of gun and ammunition sales are legal (Weir 128). Also, if total gun control was allowed, it would prohibit Americans from hunting. Some Americans hunt solely to feed their families. As William Weir said in A Well Regulated Militia, “The sales of gun and ammunition help stimulate the economy” (Weir 203). Clearly the matter of illegal gun sales would only increase and create more problems if total gun control was allowed.

Also, the United States government would lose an important source of revenue by banning guns. Finally, sieges of illegal gun and ammunition stashes by law enforcement are sold legally for a beneficial profit. The right to bear arms is protected by the 2nd Constitutional amendment. Having said this, all gun bans should be constitutional, however they are not. Somehow lawmakers find a way to work around the 2nd amendment and enforce gun bans. For example, the District of Columbia has a rather strict gun ban (Scalia).

This is especially ironic because it is the nation’s capital, where freedom should be at its highest. However, in D. C. it is illegal to possess a handgun in your home (Scalia). Antonin Scalia wrote this about D. C. ’s gun ban in The Right to Own a Gun Is Guaranteed by the Constitution, “The District’s total ban on handgun possession in the home amounts to a prohibition of an entire class of “arms” that Americans choose for lawful self-defense” (Scalia). This ban, like other gun bans, directly defies the 2nd amendment to the Constitution.

There is also a trigger lock policy in D. C. which is also partially prohibiting guns (Scalia). This trigger lock policy is unconstitutional also. The policy prohibits the gun to be used for self defense. This ban and trigger lock policy, along with others, are unconstitutional and wrong. Gun control in the United States should be abolished. Some people in the United States believe that gun control is necessary. However, it is clear that gun control is wrong and unconstitutional. Gun control directly violates the 2nd constitutionally amendment and should not be allowed.

Allowing concealed guns not only brings in revenue for the government, but, it also keeps the public safe. Over 100 million people in the United States own guns solely for the purpose of self-defense. Those people deserve to be able to have and keep that right as a citizen of the United States. It is the right of the American people to make the choice on whether to own a gun or not. The positive effects that guns have on people outweigh the negative effects. However it should be noted that, all guns have the potential to be dangerous and should be handled with care.