Debate Paper

Stephen Koren

XBCOM/275

The controversy over Gun control

In America guns have been a part of the country’s society since its birth. Throughout history the citizens of the US have used firearms to protect the nation, protect their families, to hunt for food and to engage in sporting activities. The issue of Guns and gun control takes on a proportion of extreme magnitude. Weighing the rights and liberties of the individual against the welfare and safety of the public has always been a precarious balancing act. In the United States, gun control is one of these tumultuous issues that has both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. Those parties in favor of gun ownership and the freedom to use and keep arms, rely on the fact that the provision for such rights is enshrined in their constitution. In this climate of growing violence, rife with turmoil and crime, gun advocates feel more than ever that their position is justified. As citizens of the “Land of the Free” possessing a gun is a fundamental right, and may even be a necessity... Anti- gun lobbyists point to the same growing violence and gun related crimes in an effort. Guns and Crime would seem to go hand in hand. Are the two really a hand in hand thing? Does owning a gun mean that you are going to turn to crime? If placing laws on gun ownership and use to stop crime or protect citizens? These are some of the question that are asked when the lawmakers start to talk about gun control. However the debate over gun control is not a new subject. In 1924, Presidential candidate Robert La Follete said “our choice is not to support or oppose gun control but to decide who can own which guns under what conditions.” Clearly this debate goes on even today and is the reason for the gun control laws we have now. With endless discussion and debate this is a subject that involves lawmakers and gun and non-gun owners still...