1. Matthew Aliff
FYS 100 MWF 11:00-11:50 a.m.
Dr. Harold Blanco
Debate on Gun Control
 What underlying issues are being debated in the readings?
One underlying issue is whether or not there should be new and stricter legislation and
laws concerning gun control. Another issue: Would gun control actually result in less
gun violence? Gun control would not stop criminals from obtaining weapons. They
would get them one way or the other. There is also the issue of how to address different
attitudes toward gun control in different states. Not everyone has the same idea of what
“gun control” should mean or consist of.
 According to supporters of stricter gun control, what are some possible advantages
in favor of supporting the issue?
Supporters believe the availability of guns may lower the number of crimes being
committed using these weapons. They argue that with stricter laws, it will make it harder
on the criminal to obtain the weapon which will eventually result in less crime.
 According to those in opposition, what are some of possible disadvantages to stricter
gun control laws?
They believe that stricter laws will result in the possibility of those who use their guns for
hunting or protecting their families will not be able to purchase weapons. They believe
that controlling the sales with stricter laws will result in people not being able to defend
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2. themselves because criminals will always find ways to purchase weapons. It is also
denying our Constitutional rights to bear arms. The Second Amendment gives us that
right.
 What fallacies of reasoning emerge from the debate?
One fallacy is that if the laws are stricter and there more gun control, people who are not
able to purchase the guns according to the laws and regulations will not be able to get the
weapons. This is not true! Criminals will always find a way to purchase the weapons
they want. If not legally, than illegally. Another is that if the laws are stricter, crime will
go down. This is not necessarily true. The laws cannot change the fact that there will
always be crime involving guns.
 What alternative policy/programs have been proposed or might be developed?
There are so many things that can be done to help lower the violence involving guns
without taking away our rights. Background check could be more stringent. Instead of
having several different waiting periods, ranging from instant to a few weeks, any
purchase of a gun could require a more extensive background check on anyone wanting
to a gun. The sale of firearms could be limited to licensed firearms dealers only,
eliminating the Second Market sales of weapons.
Reforms already in place could be looked at and possibly rewritten, such as the 1994
Assault Weapons ban. The definition of Assault Weapon could be redefined. It could be
rewritten so that companies would have to do more when make changes to the “assault
weapons” other than simply making cosmetic changes to the weapons. Gun registration
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3. could be changed and be more stringent. Purchasing criteria may need to be looked at
and changed when it comes to determining the mentality level of the purchaser.
 What implications does the debate have for families in society?
The debate on gun control has been an ongoing issue and probably always will be. For
families in society, this can mean that more money may be spent on weapons and
ammunition for fear of not being able to purchase them later if stricter laws are
implemented. The need to be able to protect ones family is one of the main reasons for
weapons in the household. The fear of a violent crime being committed against a
member or members of the family every time they walk out the door is a constant
reminder that criminals will always be able to obtain the weapons, with or without stricter
gun laws and gun control. The will always be the fear of not being able to protect
yourself and your family in your own home. Every time there is an incident involving
firearms, manufacturers will continue to take advantage of the fear of families which lead
them to make purchases of these items. Due to the higher demand, prices of weapons and
ammunition may be more costly and may become scarce, making it difficult to purchase
these items. Lobbyists will continue to take sides and prey on those who hold the same
views that they do, making promises for campaign monies from the American family.
Families will have to continue to talk about the possibility of violence, again putting fear
into their children of going about their daily lives. This is an issue that may never be
resolved and will always affect the people of the United States.
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4. The goals of gun control are unrealistic and unfair. Not only does control take away our
Second Amendment rights, it can affect our personal safety.
Unfortunately, violent crimes involving guns have become so prevalent in today’s society
there is an ongoing debate over gun control. Those who are for gun control can give many
reasons for new legislation, laws and even abolishment of the Second Amendment; however they
fail to focus on the end result.
Our forefathers saw fit to write into the Constitution a law, the Second Amendment,
which gives us the “right to keep and bear arms”. It was their intention to give citizens the right
to protect themselves and their families. In a 1993 study, Drs. Gary Klick and Mark Gertz found
that guns are used for self-defense more than 2.3 million times each year. Without our right to
protect ourselves, what would have a happened to the law abiding citizen in each of these
situations?
Guns are weapons that were designed for hunting to provide for your family and for
protecting that same family against harm. Just like many other things, the bad affects the good.
With gun control there will be stricter laws and more stringent regulations and that may make it
next to impossible for the law abiding citizen, who only wants to protect his family, to purchase
a gun. Gun control; however, will never stop the criminal. How often do you think the criminal
is going to legally purchase his weapon of choice? While we, the average citizen, are waiting to
purchase our protection because of stricter gun laws, the criminal is robbing us of our
possessions and possibly our lives or the lives of our loved ones. Sure, that is what law
enforcement is for. After all, they are legally armed. It is a fact that law enforcement is not able
to respond to every call for help, which leaves us vulnerable against those who wish to harm us
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5. and our family. So doesn’t the law abiding citizen deserve the right to defend himself? And how
does he do this? With his gun!
While I do believe that we do need a better way of controlling criminals and the violent
acts they commit, I strongly oppose gun control. I disagree that it is the answer. Wouldn’t our
time be better spent finding ways to control the criminal?
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6. Works Cited
Lee, M.; Stingl, Alexander. “Gun Control: An Overview.” Points of View: Gun Control (2013),
1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 10.Feb. 2014.
Bowman, Jeffery; Newton, Heather. “Point: Controlling Gun Violence is More Important than
Controlling Guns.” Points of View: Gun Control (2013), 2. Points of View Reference Center.
Web. 10.Feb.2014.
Ballaro, Beverly; Finley, Laura. “Counterpoint: Gun Control Saves Lives.” .” Points of View:
Gun Control (2013), 3. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 10.Feb. 2014.
Wilson, Brian. “Point: The Unrealistic Goals of Gun Control.” Points of View: Gun Control.
(2013), p5-5. 1p. Reading Level (Lexile): 1290. 10 Feb. 2014.
Erler, Edward J. “Gunning Down Personal Freedom.” Today Magazine. July 2013, Vol. 12
Issue 2818, p10-13. 4p. 10. Feb. 2014.
Yiotis, Gayle; Wisher, Ray. “Moms, Cops, and Voters Against Gun Control.” American
Enterprise. Sep./Oct. 1999, Vol. 10 Issue 5, p61. 4p. 10.Feb.2014.
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