1. Whitley Trimble
FYS 100 – 204
Debate Paper
What underlying issues are being debuted in the readings?
There are a couple different issues that are being debated in these readings. The
biggest question is whether or not gun control is a good or bad idea. One article is based
on controlling gun violence instead of controlling guns. Another article says that
controlling guns will save lives.
According to supporters of stricter gun control, what are some possible advantages in
favor of supporting the issue?
According to the counterpoint article, gun control will save lives. It is said to
reduce violence and gun accidents. Evidence has shown that in other countries with strict
gun laws also have the lowest rates of gun homicides. The United States is one of the top
countries with the highest amount of gun related violence. Around 30,000 people die here
in the U.S. every year.
According to those in opposition, what are some possible disadvantages to stricter gun
control laws?
According to the point article, gun control violates the second amendment. This
article also argues that gun control would interfere with hunting and gun sports. It also
argues that guns are a form of protection and used for self defense. The main argument in
this article is that we should not focus on controlling guns, but controlling gun culture.
What fallacies of reasoning emerge from the debate?
One fallacy from the point article is when it says, “Guns are designed to kill. They
have no other function.” This is a fallacy because that statement is not fully true. People
use guns for many other reasons like collecting, sporting, or just for fun. A fallacy from

2. Whitley Trimble
FYS 100 – 204
Debate Paper
the counterpoint article when it says, “Gun control regulation is the best tool we have in
the fight to reduce gun violence in the United States.” This is not an actual proven fact.
There could be many possible tools that could help reduce gun violence here in the
United States. Another fallacy from this article is when it says, “The issue is not whether
or not stricter gun laws might have kept weapons out of the hands of the shooters at
Columbine or Virginia Tech-or out of the hands of victims or witnesses who might have
used them to thwart the attacks. The issue is whether or not gun control lowers overall
rates of violence. And the answer to this question, based on the experiences of other
nations where stricter controls have been put into place, is a resounding yes.” This is also
not a proven fact. Just because strict gun control works for other nations, it does not mean
it will necessarily work for the United States.
What alternative policy/programs have been proposed or might be developed?
From the articles, there are a couple of different policies that were proposed. One
idea is that instead of trying so hard to control guns, maybe we should really focus on
why so many people feel like they should use guns illegally. Another idea is increasing
gun regulation will most likely reduce the number of gun related accidents.
What implication does the debate have for families in society?
The debate on gun control has many implications on families in society. Each side
of the debate has pros and cons for families. If there is strict gun control, many families
think it will help reduce violence. It could also make them feel like they would not have a
way for self defense. If there is not any changes in gun control, families might feel like
there will be more violence. It could also make them feel like they have a good way of
self defense and it follows the second amendment.

3. Whitley Trimble
FYS 100 – 204
Debate Paper
Persuasive Argument
Strict gun control laws will help reduce gun violence and gun accidents in the
United States for many reasons. Daniel Webster, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for
Gun Policy and Research, Baltimore, MD said, “Many people don't realize that, in most
states, individuals convicted of violent misdemeanors with court-issued restraining orders
for domestic violence, or who have a serious history of mental illness or substance abuse,
can legally possess firearms.” He also said, “Federal gun laws allow private gun sellers to
sell their guns with no questions asked of purchasers or proof that the purchaser has
passed a criminal background check. Survey research shows that 82% of gun owners
want that loophole fixed.” Strict gun control would not completely eliminate this
problem, but it could reduce it dramatically. Background checks would be very beneficial
in helping reduce violence. 90% of the time it only takes minutes to get results, so this
really would not affect normal people interested in purchasing a gun. Strict gun control
would also help because it would decrease the amount of mentally ill people from
purchasing guns. Many recent shootings have been from a mentally ill person and gun
control will help to decrease the probability of this repeating. A stricter gun control
policy could also decrease the numbers of suicide. Overall, strict gun control would be
very beneficial to the United States for many reasons. Once people really look into it,
they will understand how it will help. This new policy would keep criminals, mentally ill,
and substance abusers away from being able to purchase guns. This will definitely help to
reduce the amount of gun violence and accidents.

4. Whitley Trimble
FYS 100 – 204
Debate Paper
Resources
Ballaro, B. (2013). Counterpoint: Gun Control Saves Lives. Points Of View: Gun
Control, 3.
Bowman, J. (2013). Point: Controlling Gun Violence is More Important than Controlling
Guns. Points Of View: Gun Control, 2.
Devi, S. (2012). Researchers call for reform of US gun control policies. The Lancet,
380(9853), doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61865-0
Lee, M. (2013). Gun Control: An Overview. Points Of View: Gun Control, 1.
Sterzer, J. (2012). The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Journal Of Legal Medicine, 33(1),
171-199. doi:10.1080/01947648.2012.657993
Wintemute, G. J., Braga, A. A., & Kennedy, D. M. (2010, August 5). Private-Party Gun
Sales, Regulation, and Public Safety. New England Journal of Medicine. pp. 508-511.
doi:10.1056/NEJMp1006326.