Gun Control in the United States

The Discussion on Gun Control in the United States

The discussion on gun control in the United States has on many occasions aimed to ensure that members of the public with questionable backgrounds are not allowed to own or even access firearms. Over the last five years, different states such as Texas have enacted laws that limit not only the use of such weapons but also their public display. The open carry law permits the carrying of firearms openly in public and has sparked different reactions from the American community (Lott, 2013). Although the proponents of the legislation believe that only criminals can conceal their weapons while law-abiding individuals are not afraid to display their guns, the gun control groups such as The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence consider that it instills some level of fear among the citizens.

Perception of Aggressive Motive

Notably, as indicated by the survey conducted in Lone Star College in 2015, any person carrying firearms in public can be perceived to have an aggressive motive in sensitive events such as concerts and political rallies. Equally, on different occasions, people have been seen hanging long guns on their shoulders during presidential events and when engaging in demonstrations. Such practices encourage violence among such groups as they can believe they have the same firepower as other law enforcement agencies (Lott, 2013).

Promoting Burglary and Illegal Sale

Essentially, since the law prohibits specific groups of people to either own or use guns, public display of these weapons may promote burglary as the restricted individuals will be tempted to steal from innocent members of the public. Additionally, public exhibition may encourage more citizens to purchase guns only because some of their friends or relatives own these arms (Lott, 2013). This may promote the development of illegal sales and a consequent increase in the level of crime in the state.

References

Lott, J. R. (2013). More guns, less crime: Understanding crime and gun control laws. University of Chicago Press.