This document summarizes three readings on the gun control debate. The first reading discusses issues like the effectiveness of gun control laws and interpretations of the 2nd Amendment. The second argues that controlling gun culture is more important than controlling guns. The third claims that gun control regulation can reduce gun violence in the US. Supporters of gun control argue it may decrease accidents and crime, while opponents say it infringes on rights. Alternative policies discussed include "Stand Your Ground" laws and background checks. The implications for families and society include child safety measures and treatment of the mentally ill.

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Emily Jones
Feb. 10, 2014
FYS 100
Gun Control Debate
1.) Gun Control: An Overview
Authors: Lee, M. & Stingl, Alexander
What underlying issues are being debated in the readings?
o The efficiency of gun control laws in relation to reducing violent crime
o Whether more legislation is needed
o Whether better enforcement of current legislation is required
o How the 2nd
Amendment to the United States Constitution should be interpreted:
Whether or not the right to bear arms extends to private citizens or only applies to
so-called “well-regulated militia”
According to supporters of stricter gun control, what are some possible advantages
in favor of supporting the issue?
o Decrease accidental shootings, suicides, and criminal activity
o Prevent gun violence
According to those in opposition, what are some possible disadvantages to stricter
gun control laws?
o Private citizens risk the ability to defense themselves
o Lose ability to hunt animals
What fallacies of reasoning emerge from the debate?

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o The NRA claim that stricter gun control laws requiring better safety controls on
firearms places unfair burdens on manufacturers is opinion based and misleading.
It is the manufacturers’ duty to produce the best safety controls on firearms. That
is the purpose of the manufacturer.
o Stating that gun control reduces gun violence is not statistically proven, making
this statement invalid
What alternative policy/programs have been proposed or might be developed?
o “Stand Your Ground” bills: protect the right of private citizens to defend
themselves with deadly force
o Background checks
o Child safety locks
o Stop guns being purchased in other states from being brought into the state
What implications does the debate have for families in society?
o Mandatory child safety locks
o Child-access prevention laws
o Treatment of the mentally ill
2.) Point: Controlling Gun Violence is more important than Controlling Guns
Authors: Ballaro, Beverly & Finley, Laura
What underlying issues are being debated in the readings?
o The resolution to gun control is to not control guns, but to control gun culture;
gun culture is influenced by both legal and illegal use of firearms
o Reasons why people use guns irresponsibly instead of concentrating on
controlling guns

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o Guns are not the source of violence, source of violence caused by the people who
recklessly use guns
o The 2nd
Amendment is designed to balance the right of the people to resist
tyrannical government with the power of Congress to deploy the militia when
necessary; does not endorse gun use, rather it grants the people the rights to own
guns in order to have an effective militia
According to supporters of stricter gun control, what are some possible advantages
in favor of supporting the issue?
o Gun violence is a daily occurrence throughout the United States, gun control
legislation is a call for reduction in these horrific events
o Criminal history of gun purchasers are checked at the point of sale and must be
approved, legally reduces gun ownership of criminals
According to those in opposition, what are some possible disadvantages to stricter
gun control laws?
o Takes away rights granted by the Constitution
o Takes away the right of citizens to protect themselves from an intrusive
government
What fallacies of reasoning emerge from the debate?
o The statement that guns have no other function than to kill is inaccurate in that
they are also designed for protection and means of food for a society.
o The implication that Smith and Wesson are only concerned about its profits rather
than protecting civil rights is a fallacy of reasoning because it is not that the

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author had asked and received that answer, he is assuming the worst and implying
it through the text in that statement.
What alternative policy/programs have been proposed or might be developed?
o Meaningful discussion about reforming gun culture and the glorification of
violence itself in America
What implications does the debate have for families in society?
o Families need to take a hard look at why our people feel the need to irresponsibly
use guns, and monitor what children see with the use of guns in social media
(movies, music, etc.)
3.) Counterpoint: Gun Control Saves Lives
Authors: Bowman, Jeffrey & Newton, Heather
What underlying issues are being debated in the readings?
o Gun control regulation is the best tool we have to fight against/reduce gun
violence in the United States
o Major factors contributing to gun violence consists of large number of guns
available, large number of powerful types of guns, and the lack of
comprehensive/uniformed gun laws
o Even the strictest laws would not prevent all gun violence
o Limitation of availability and power of guns is likely to lower the number of gun
homicides
According to supporters of stricter gun control, what are some possible advantages
in favor of supporting the issue?
o Reduction of gun violence

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According to those in opposition, what are some possible disadvantages to stricter
gun control laws?
o Loss of self-defense for individuals and food for hunters
What fallacies of reasoning emerge from the debate?
o The author claims that, yes, gun control lowers overall rates of violence. His
claim is invalid because his evidence is based on experiences of other nations, not
statistically, backed up, hard proof.
What alternative policy/programs have been proposed or might be developed?
o Possibility of gun control measures that serve the greater public good while
respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens
What implications does the debate have for families in society?
o There is a growing threat to public safety due to the amount of gun-related deaths
each year

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In the ongoing, popular debate over the regulation of control there are two clear
spectrums of the argument, in favor of regulation or against it. When referring to gun control
regulation, it is specifically zoned in on the sale, ownership, and use of guns. Gun control
advocates are concerned of the safety of the public. Individual factors that could put the safety of
the public at risk is the mental stability of the individual who owns the gun and his or her
criminal record, and the amount of responsibility and cautiousness that the individual places on
the right to carry or own a gun. The manufacturing of high powered guns and whose hands they
may fall into is another concern of the advocates. Garth Goodwin says it best when he states,
“Much of what creates safety is awareness and being prepared” (2013). Gun control legislation is
what is necessary to raise awareness to the public. RyanChaloner and Susan Hatters warn the
when examining a patient for a mental illness to be careful not to place a stigma on the patient
when trying to improve the safety of the public (2013). It is not simply just a diagnosis of
individuals by a doctor, families and friends need to be aware and look for signs in individuals
and speak up when necessary. The overall goal for gun control advocates is to prevent tragic
events and violence, in doing so, Cruz states, “Current law seeks to identify those individuals,
but it relies on States submitting relevantmedical records. Not all States are doing this. We
should make sure current Statelaw is enforced and work with States to help them get past the
challenges that preventthem from providing more robust data. This is an area of bipartisan
agreement and adirect way to address the real problem of the mentally ill getting guns” (2013).
Awareness, responsibility, and overall cautiousness of guns is what this country needs to move
forward to a safer tomorrow.

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Works Cited
Chaloner Winton Hall, Ryan & Hatters Friedman, Susan. (2013). Mayo Clinic Proceedings.Vol.
88 Issue 11, p1272-1283. 12p.
Cruz, T. (2013). Should Congress Pass Stronger Gun Laws?. Congressional Digest, 92(3), 21.
Goodwin, G. (2013). Place of Safety. Relational Child & Youth Care Practice, 26(1), 59-61.