The second amendment of the constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms. As the specter of gun violence continues in our workplaces, roads and schools, the question keeps arising: do guns keep you safe, or just increase the level of violence?
One has to ask what is the gun lobby's motivation in telling citizens we need guns to protect ourselves? The answer is capitalism. The gun lobby represents the gun industry, which has an interest in selling more guns. To meet this goal, the gun lobby uses scare tactics to try to convince the rest of us that owning guns will make us safer. This is a corporate snow job. Similarly, big tobacco didn't tell Americans that cigarettes could kill them because that would've cut into their profit margin.
The idea that a greater proliferation of guns will make us all safer is plain ridiculous. Having more guns around leads to a larger pool of crime weapons, because legally purchased guns are often stolen and used to commit crimes. Also, despite what the gun lobby would like us to believe, there are gun owners who do not limit their gun use to self-defense. Guns in the home are used to murder spouses or children, and to commit suicide. We also see more neighbor disputes taking a deadly turn because one neighbor decides to settle the score with a gun. Is this the example we wish to set for our children?
Next Argument
Biweekly updates on new debates and experts
Please check your email to confirm your subscription.
© 2008 Opposing Views, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Opposing Views, Inc. is not responsible for the content posted on this website. Please view full disclaimer under Terms
Expert Verified
