Gun Control in America – Stop the Politics and Get the Experts

Credit - WikiCommons Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia

Every time America has to face the sad events of a mad man with a gun going on a rampage, the liberals waste no time in pushing for a ban on the sale of guns in America. Here is a look at why this approach is dead wrong.

Everyone wants to live in a safe and secure neighbourhood but will a ban on the guns ensure this safety? Banning the sale of guns may ensure a reduction in the extent of violence, by limiting the ability of a lone gun man, but laws should be made to cure the disease and not focus on the symptoms.

The so called experts pushing for a liberal agenda are quick to blame the violence in the movies and video games without citing any scientific study. These arm chair researchers tend to give out more opinion on news debates rather than state the facts to the viewers.

The fundamental question of why the gun man went on a murdering spree is often left unanswered and the debate prematurely shifts to whether guns should be banned in society. 

The viewers of such debates, influenced by the gory images of blood and the grief of the victim’s family do tend to gravitate towards the conclusion that banning the guns should be done for the “greater good” of society. Such viewers often do not get to hear the other side of the story and the dangers of banning the sale of guns.

Media often takes a position on the issue and the anchor gets very emotional and aggressive while questioning the panellist who has an opposing view. So the viewer only gets one side of the story depending on which way the anchor of the show is leaning.

The right to bear arms is in many ways the right to life. If citizens are prohibited from the right to defend themselves against a threat it would be denying them the right to live. Many then tend to qualify their argument by requesting a ban on assault rifles.

The demand may sound reasonable as many young people living today have not witnessed the horrors of the Second World War. Human beings are capable of unimaginable cruelty and if ever humanity is faced with such evil, they should have the right to defend themselves.

Using the time of a tragic murderous event and the public anger and sadness to push for such important changes in America is morally wrong. A day of mourning should not be used to play politics. Sound arguments based on facts should motivate legislatures to come up with a long term solution to violence. Banning guns may not solve the problem.