A number of years ago, a tragedy occurred at Columbine High School, wherein a public shooting led to the deaths of innocent students and teachers. The high publicized incident served as a catalyst for anti-gun lobbying groups. Although this tragedy was not completely attributed to lax gun control laws, it still brought a new focus to the gun control debate. To gain a better understanding of the gun control controversy, it is essential to know some general facts about firearms. This helps to address some of the controversial issues surrounding the Columbine school tragedy.
In general, there are three general kinds of firearms: shotguns, handguns, and rifles. However, shotguns and rifles are both regarded as long guns. Another classification concerning firearms is that semi-automatic firearms fire a single bullet each time a person pulls the trigger. Because it is automatic, this gun type involves removing the expended bullet’s shell and loading a fresh bullet with each pull of the trigger. Additionally, there are complete automatic firearms with the capability of firing several bullets with a single pull of the trigger. Sometimes, such firearms are known as machine guns.
People who possess guns offer various reasons for owning them. For example, a majority of gun owners cite self-defense as the primary reason for owning firearms. In an area where the prevalence of crime is rising, it is not uncommon for households to have at least one member who has experienced a dangerous situation that forced him to protect himself with a gun. Some people scare intruders away from their homes by using guns. Moreover, it has been noted that most criminal offenders tend to be armed, as is the case in incidents of violent robberies and rapes. A sizeable number of firearm owners say that they use their guns for sport such as target shooting, while others claim that hunting is the sole purpose for which they possess firearms.
Basing on these various reasons for owning firearms, it appears that a worthwhile solution to preventing gun-related deaths is to develop strategies that facilitate gun safety rather than prohibiting owning and using guns. This can be compared to the example of road safety. If governments were to take automobiles away, the economy would come to a standstill. Instead, making road use safer by enforcing traffic rules minimizes road accidents. In the same way, effective gun control can be realized by passing sound laws concerning gun usage. For instance, background checks must be regularly conducted to ensure that criminals do not gain possession of guns. Similarly, manufacturers have to be more responsible in the production of safe guns.
Tips on five-paragraph essay writing:
Gun possession and control is a controversial topic, and the writer of an essay on such a topic needs to keep that in mind. Dependent on the extent of the social and political climate of a land or region, countries have different policies regarding gun usage. With this consideration, the writer on guns and gun control must distance himself from making comments that suggest that no individual outside of military officers should be allowed to own a firearm. In so doing, the writer should be able to highlight the various factors that influence ordinary citizens to possess firearms. Also important is the inclusion of relevant and accurate statistics.
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