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Guns Don’t Kill People, People Do; With Guns and Other Weapons
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution regards citizens’ ownership of firearms almost a sacrosanct right. And why not? we may ask. Shouldn’t we all have the right to defend our lives and those of others when threatened? If our soldiers are sent overseas to fight our enemies, why shouldn’t we be able to confront our domestic enemies—criminal elements and others prone to violence who don’t necessarily have our well-being and happiness in mind–as well? According to the latest polls, the majority of the American people favor very strict gun control measures. But, if ours is a democracy, meaning that the people’s will should rule, why are our gun control laws so weak? What lies behind our need to possess guns? What lies behind our desire to control gun ownership? Ironically, the Virginia Tech massacre in 2007 seems to have set off arguments on both sides of the issue. While a dormant interest to regulate guns was suddenly awakened by this human tragedy, at least one presidential candidate—among others—was arguing in favor of students becoming armed on campus to protect themselves. So, do guns save lives or end lives? What about if they do both? What then? |
