On The Edge: Gun Control
Article by Ella Knight, On The Edge Student Reporter, Edgewood Middle School
The controversy over gun control is a very heated topic, especially since the 20th century. There are two sides to the matter: for and against guns.
Many people argue that Americans have the right to bear arms, as it is stated in the Constitution. They say that gun control laws would prevent individuals from defending themselves and their property in a dire situation.
Others argue that with stricter laws we can prevent the loss of life caused by guns. These individuals acknowledge the fact that certain people should not have the right to bear arms. The current laws prevent the mentally ill, children and criminals from owning guns. But should we take these laws further and make it illegal for anyone to bear arms?
According to the Geneva-based Small Arms Survey, the United States has the best-armed civilian population in the world. There is an estimated 270 million total guns in the United States alone. That’s an average of about 89 firearms per 100 people. Did you know that 45 percent of households own a gun? Or that 68 percent of individual gun owners say they own them for self-defense? Are these growing numbers because our nation is trying to gear up to protect itself from mass-murderers on the move?
Is this a good idea, to fight the power of guns with more guns?
I’m sure that everyone has heard about the recent shootings at Purdue, Sandy Hook Elementary and the Martin’s Supermarket in Elkhart. But, they may not have heard of the other 23 mass-shootings that have occurred since Sandy Hook, that have not made national headlines. Are most of our firearms being misused? Is there a way to stop these mass shootings? Having some dangerous shootings and deaths close to home is a real eye-opener to how this affects us as a country.
So, contemplate your options. If you had to choose: Should we have the right to bear arms in need of protection? Should we ban guns altogether? Should we create stricter laws to help prevent more gun related deaths? Or, should the nation as a whole find another solution to the growing problem before it is too late?
(Editor’s Note: The article above was selected from the Edgewood Middle School student written magazine On The Edge. Future articles will be selected from the magazine and will be featured on StaceyPageOnline.com. Topics will include, but are not limited to, sports, community news, school news, current events and entertainment news. Please contact Alyssa Richardson at [email protected] with questions.)