Why Do Guns Keep America Safe

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Recommended: Will gun control reduce crime

Kelly Shughart
Mr. Farmer
English 102
21 September 2017

Do Guns Keep America Safer?
Gun control is a topic that is controversial and not easily agreed upon. I question whether owning a gun keeps a person safer? I think not only the gun owner is in greater danger around him. I believe having a gun around can put you in a situation to harm you or someone else.
Are we as citizens’ safer carrying firearms? Do guns harm us rather than keep us safe? According to the ABC News, "The United States has more guns and gun deaths than any other developed country in the world". The number of guns in our country equals our population. Why do so many people own a gun if so many die from them? A Gallop study shows the main reason Americans own guns …show more content…

Many of these deaths occur when children played with guns. In America, children between the ages of 5 and 14 are 17 times more likely to , younger than 15, are nine times more likely to die by a gun accident. Parents’ ownership of a weapon is a danger not only to their own children but also to their children’s friends. Children have an interest in guns due to the fact they think guns are cool from seeing them in video games and movies. Many gun owners are unaware that children have handled their guns. Many accidental deaths occur when children are playing with a loaded gun in their parent’s absence. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends not having a gun in a home where children live.
People who are opposed to my position will make different arguments. Many opposing would say “Guns don't kill people, people kill people”. That is correct, a gun must be picked up by a person, pointed, and the trigger pulled in order to kill someone. Why make it easier for someone because they have easy access to a gun? Not to mention accidents. People of all age groups are significantly more likely to die from accidental gun injuries when they live in states with more guns, opposed to states with fewer …show more content…

When it was originally written, it was meant to regulate the militia back in the 1700’s. I believe the right to bear arms is putting more people in danger. The person who has the right to own a gun takes away the right to safety from others.
Many may also argue “I should not give up my gun because someone goes on a shooting spree”. According to Newsweek Magazine, "As of August 29, 2017, there were more mass shootings in the United States than there had been days of the year to that point". Once again, the personal ownership of a gun put groups of people in danger rather than protect them.
The provided evidence supports my argument that gun ownership does not make one safer. Giving citizens the right to own a gun takes away my right to be safe. The statistics show that owning a gun to protect you from another gun is counter- productive. I realize guns are a part of our world, but I feel the benefits of gun ownership do not outweigh the negative aspects. People lose their lives due to guns on a daily basis. I feel a decrease in gun ownership and preventing criminals from getting access to guns would create a much safer environment. A world without guns (except in the hands of law enforcement and military) may be just a dream, but I strongly believe many lives would be

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