The debate on gun control has been going on in one form or another since the NRA(National Rifle association) started up in 1871. An increase in mass shootings, especially those in schools, has brought the debate to the forefront in the past few years, though, with opposing sides taking increasingly opposing views.

When you take away guns from people, that is taking away their way of protection. They have the right to protect their families, including against people who may not follow gun control laws if they were enacted.

The United States is a democracy, not a dictatorship. If this right is taken away, which rights will follow? Free speech? Freedom of religion? It is the start of a slippery slope. Allow the government to take away guns that are used for defense and for tools (for hunters) and they may not stop their taking there.  

What the government doesn’t understand is that just because they ban something doesn’t mean it’s going to be gone. Take the Prohibition of alcohol in the 1920’s; the government banned alcohol, but that didn’t stop the making, selling, or possession of it. People smuggled alcohol and it actually increased lawlessness. Now imagine the same with guns. America has plenty of problems without adding revolution to the chaos.

Additionally, criminals don’t obey the law. What is to ensure that criminals will not just switch to illegal gun ownership and use? Obviously someone committing armed robbery is not going to stop just because guns are illegal. They are already doing something illegal. A new law won’t change anything.

People that support gun control say that outlawing guns will reduce the number of school shootings because people won’t have access to guns; however, guns will still be available to criminals, and those are the people who are shooting up our schools.

The Government should stop focusing on pointless arguments that will never make a difference and start focusing on things they can control.