Charger Opinion

Gun control is it good or bad?

Erin McMillan, Charger Staff

Between February 2,1996, and March 20,2001, there have been fourteen fatal schools shootings nationwide.

They have not been confined to a certain region but have ranged from Washington to Indiana and from Florida to California. On February 11 of this year, 15-year-old Michael Ballard Guy Jr. of Memphis was shot down as he waited to be picked up from a shopping mall. The saying, “People kill, not guns,” can easily be applied to all of these cases, but what about other instances such as that of Royce Ryan?

On April 15,1998, he was accidentally shot in the face by a 15-year-old who wanted him to see his gun. Royce survived but has suffered significant brain damage. Cases such as these bring about questions about the extent of gun control we should have.

Some things cannot be argued when debating gun control. Extensive background checks at every facility that sells guns, including gun shows, should be mandatory. Child safety locks should be required as well as locked, fireproof storage areas for the weapons. Other questions are not so black and white, like, ”Should we get rid of guns altogether?”

Guns have many benefits. They protect us from intruders or attacks. Police use them to establish authority and to insure their ability to guard and handle all possible incidents. They also insure their own safety. Guns provide hours of entertainment to collectors who obsess over their mechanics and place in history. What about hunters? They cannot possibly be expected to perfect their craft without a firearm.

This is the South. Life without guns is unimaginable. There’s nothing wrong with that. When placed in the right hands, accidents are minimal and the problem is almost eliminated.

Take into consideration, irresponsible people get hold of firearms every day. When guns are placed in their care, more blood is spilled than I care to think about. Safety locks are left off, and the weapons are left out in the open or in unlocked cabinets where children have instant access. Too many people are killed by senseless morons who shouldn’t be allowed to have kids, much less own a gun.

Gun control advocates can sum up their arguments in one sentence, ”A gun can never give life, it can only take it away.” More than anything, gun control comes down to the facts that you need more safety measures and more restricted access to those who cannot maturely handle a weapon and it’s responsibilities.

Eliminating guns will cause a surge in illegal sales and when a criminal comes to your door, how do you plan on defending yourself? To enforce that guns stay out of the wrong hands and are not misused, we should have stricter penalties for every gun related crime. We should raise the standard requirements you must meet to purchase a gun, and limit the availability.

Perhaps no solution will ever come about on the debate of gun control, but no matter how you feel, it is a problem our generation cannot escape facing. With that being said, decide where you stand and defend your position.