Application of gun control policy

Introduction

For many years, incidents of careless firearms handling have been reported. Guns have been used by people to cause mishaps. People have suffered deaths and even lasting physical harm as a result of the improper and unauthorized use of these weapons. (Dudely 45). In this respect, the threat to society has led the government to reevaluate the distribution of firearms. To protect citizens from gangs and those who use weapons to conduct crimes, laws have been made to restrict the number of weapons on the streets. Thus, this paper focuses on the entire scope of gun control, particularly, the application of these policies, the current state of weapons, and the policy’s effects to the society in a bid to get a comprehensive overview of the issue.

Definition of gun control

Gun control refers to the laws that manage the process of manufacturing, selling, transferring, possessing, modifying and the use of weapons such as pistols by citizens (Doherty 45). The government sets the policies to ensure that people who own such ammunitions are the rightful owners who have been licensed and permitted by the state and have been certified that they can handle the guns responsibly. Previously, guns were sold indiscriminately, leading to numerous deaths since people misused them. Weapon stores have been restricted to only those who qualify to purchase ammunition. The sellers also have rules and regulations that guide their conduct at work. They do not sell to anyone unless they have a formal permission from the certifiers. The transfer of guns from one person to another has also been restricted- there are formalities to be followed. Notably, the persons receiving should be given an okay by the administrative rules governing the transfers. The issue of modifying guns has also been restricted to only experts recognized by the state. The back door modification has been prohibited, and strict measures imposed on any person found practicing the same.

Restriction of guns

Restriction of guns is not only meant for the people who can handle the weapons. It is also restricted to the type of guns people can buy and own. Not all firearms are allowed in public. Some are too lethal to be left in the hands of people. Firearm licenses are the ones needed for people to access the permitted type of guns (Corris 65). The main issue prompted the introduction of these laws in most countries was the illegal trade of inter-border transfer of firearms. It is the trade that has enabled most terrorist attacks to take place in the world because they are supplied by these business persons who use these borders as their trade areas. The loopholes that exist in these borders are what enable such illegal trades. The reason guns have flooded the streets and the crimes associated elevated the cause is the trading of firearms along borders. This issue prompted researchers from the concerned nations to find out the effects of the same and the way to eradicate the evil. The typical answer that was agreed upon was gun control. It is the only way that the supplies can be limited and ensured that the guns are in the hands of the right people.

Application of gun control policy

The restrictions include firearms safety and storage, the penalties accorded to those who possess guns illegally, the misuse of ammunition, eradication of weapons that are not safe or not wanted, and keeping records that will monitor individuals who possess them (Lott 12). Most states have developed databases that regulate civilians who own firearms, particularly, the top offices of crime prevention to ensure that rules are observed accordingly. The moves by the states have gained grounds and reduced cases associated with the careless issuance of weapons and possession of explosive ammunition. However, despite the establishment of these rules, not all of them are enforced successfully. There are still people transacting such businesses on the streets. As a result, there was the need to involve international bodies that have since helped with the issue by introducing global norms that support the regulations of guns across the borders.

Impact of gun control policies

The dangers brought about by firearms are what prompted the establishment of gun control policy. However, there are positive and negative implications of these moves as discussed below

Advantages

The policies had reduced the number of deaths and accidents resulting from improper use of weapons as it was the case before the rules were developed. The regulations have limited crimes associated with owning guns illegally (Spitzer 11). Within this context, the moves by the state have helped preserve human life and will continue to do so as the people continue to adhere to the laws.

The policy has helped protect women from abuses that occurred domestically and also from stalkers. Previously, statistics showed that many women were killed with guns every day at home (Spitzer 11). Stalkers also used weapons to intimidate others.

Also, the regulations have limited the use of guns as self-defense mechanisms. Most people caused accidents using firearms, only to end up providing excuses such as self-defense. Thus, limiting of gun possession has helped reduce such cases.

Its eradication has helped reduce the costs associated with violence. The destructions that resulted from the use of guns are what scaled up the costs spent to address the issues brought about by abuse.

Disadvantages

The laws have come in to deny people their right to feel safe and to defend themselves. People sometimes need to own such weapons to protect themselves, as long as they use them responsibly. Notably, gun control regulations have subjected most people to fear, especially in regions such as Syria and Somali.

The gun control laws that restrict ownership of particular firearms, more so, those used in hunting have denied individuals their right to earn revenue and even get food.

Amending such laws has also given too much power to the government. The state sees itself as a controller of its citizen’s activities since it has the mandate to decide individuals who should own guns, while limiting others, regardless of whether they rightfully deserve to possess firearms or not. Particular, it is a form of invasion of privacy (Ferro 21). When the government put laws that monitor civilians, they infringe the privacy people need. They cannot use them without being noticed. Any move, the government is always on the watch. Citizens need to exercise their freedoms without much follow up by the authorities.

Unfortunately, the laws on gun control will not prevent criminals from committing offenses associated with illegal possession of ammunition. The perpetrators will try all possible means to break the rules and acquire the weapons in one way or another. In light of this, there is need to find a more binding solution that will help deter crimes.

Conclusion

Guns have good and bad sides. The debates about gun control are still ongoing in some states since they look at the benefits surpassing the disadvantages. On the one hand, firearms have saved lives. On the contrary, they have caused deaths by those who misuse them. Accordingly, control policies and laws were implemented to reduce crime rates resulting from illegal possession of ammunition, whereby people were going to the extent of killing others and arguing that they did so in self-defense. Precisely, individuals misuse them for personal gains. In this regard, the government had to take initiatives of owning these guns and giving them to the people they feel can manage them. However, there are still loopholes in the system that even makes the presence of firearms utilized irresponsibly. The arguments are that these laws do not prevent crimes; perpetrators will always have a gateway to finding the guns. Therefore, these regulations came in just to regulate the transgressions in the society, but not to eradicate the offenses. The society benefits from firearms that are in the hands of responsible citizens. Therefore, an individual must use weapons safely and adequately as directed by the law.

Works Cited

Corris, Peter. Gun Control. Atlanta: Brian Kent, 2015. Print.

Doherty, Brian. Gun Control on Trial. Illinois: Adventure Works Press, 2008. Print.

Dudely, Susan. Gun Control. London: Oxford University Press, 2014. Print.

Lott, John R. More Guns, Less Crime. Texas: Mark Christopher, 2015. print.

Spitzer, Robert J. Politics of Gun Control. Georgia: Georgia Works Press, 2015. Print.