Cases of Gun Violence and Gun Control
Cases of gun violence have long been a source of contention in the United States. Some people want to get weapons to protect themselves, while others believe that guns are dangerous and should only be owned by people who work for the state and federal governments. Martinson (n.p.) reports that a delegation led by Senators Murkowsi and Sullivan launched an attack on President Barack Obama, slamming his executive order requiring state agencies to implement tight gun control protocols. It includes a thorough background check on applicants for licenses as well as a request for persons to contribute data to the national background check database. However, many individuals are opposed to this because it will delay their efforts to obtain and renew their licenses.
Ethical Egoism and Gun Control
Individuals who call for less stringent laws on gun control are driven by ethical egoism. It is a formative position that moral agents should act in self-interest (Rachels 70). These individuals feel that the only way to protect themselves from gun violence is to ensure that they possess firearms. These are sane adults who do not consider individuals who cannot obtain licenses on grounds such as age and mental health. Making the gun laws less strict will increase the number of people with gun-holding licenses while locking out a section of the population and increasing their chances of falling victim to gun violence. At the same time, individuals calling for a complete ban on firearms are acting on ethical egoism by not considering those who live in vulnerable neighborhoods who may require the weapon for self-defense. The question of gun violence and gun control can be solved by considering the interests of both people and enacting neutral laws that ensure guns are only given to individuals who deserve them without risking the safety of the population.
Works Cited
Martinson, Erica. Alaska delegation pans Obama's gun control plans. Alaska Dispatch News, May 17, 2016. Web. February 2, 2017.
Rachels, James. "Egoism and moral skepticism." A New Introduction to Philosophy, ed. Steven M. Cahn. New York: Harper and Row (1971).
