Essay, Research Paper: Guns Are Dangerous

Guns are Dangerous Hunting is a popular sport here in the U.S. In the beginning of every hunting season, the hunters start making their reservations and start to prepare for deer season. It is not my place to argue that hunting is bad; they have every right to pursue their sport. But handguns and assault rifles have no place in hunting. These weapons, which have the capability to kill people, should be banned.Today it is unnecessary to own a handgun or an assault rigle. Many people say they need a gun for their protection. I do not see that as a legitimate reason to buy a gun. In many cases these guns end up being used for the wrong reasons. Statistics show that two in 25 high school students, 7.9 percent, reported having carried a gun in the last 30 days. Also, in 1995, 3,280 children and teenagers were murdered with guns, 1,450 committed suicide with guns, and 440 died in unintentional shootings. That is a total of 5, 285 teenagers and children that were killed by firearms in 1995. Guns kill 14 young people a day in the U.S. The facts alone should be a good enough reason for the selling of firearms to be banned. The profit of selling guns is not worth the lives of children and teenagers.Even in homes where firearms are present, for the so-called use of self-protection, guns are dangerous. One out of five firearms households surveyed had at least one unlocked and loaded gun. Those guns are 43 times more likely to kill a family member or a friend; they triple the risk of homicide in the home, and increase the risk of suicide ficefold. Toddlers, despondent teenagers and others are pulling triggers and ending lives.

















 







In most states, it is very simple for a normal person in society to go and buy a gun. In Texas, for instance, there is no state regulation for the minimun age to possess either handguns or long guns. The only thing the buyer has to do is complete 10 hours of safety training, and prove that he/she is not a convicted felon. In fact, even though in some states the Federal government prohibits juveniles from purchasing handguns, there is no restriction on purchasing and owning long guns. THis allows teenagers to possess semi-automatic Uzi's, AK-47s, AR-15s and other assault weapons. In today's society, the criminals are better armed than the police. THe police are still armed with only standard six-shot revolvers, while the criminals are armed with semiautomatics. The police are clearly in danger if they confront these well-armed criminals, not to mention the innocent citizens.It is very clear that firearms, handguns in particular, are very dangerous to our society. Many people lose their lives everyday because of gun-related homicides, suicides, and accidents. The personal liking of obtaining a gun is not worth the lives of these people. Violence is the leading cause of injury, death, and disability for all Americans, and handgun violence contributes a great deal. I do not see anything wrong with the use of hunting rifles for the sport, but the selling of handguns, and assault rifles should be banned. Violence in the U.S. would lessen, schools would be safer, people would not be worried about their protection, and more people would live.