Guns or No Guns? by Eric

Regular people can own guns in some countries, as in America; but in some countries, such as China, people cannot own guns. So, the question is: Should adults have the right to own a handgun? My answer is, no. Only policemen and the military should have guns, not regular people. No one wants to see a gun accident break up someone’s family.

            First, a gun is a powerful weapon to attack someone or use as a defense of someone. Guns are used to catch bad guys like thieves and criminals by policemen and the military. They are used in war. Policemen have training, but regular people don’t. Oscar Pistorius, an amputee sprinter in South Africa called "Blade Runner,” shot his girlfriend right in the head and arms at his own house on Valentine's Day because he thought a thief had come into his house. It is a small possibility of this happening, but in certain instances, we never know. If you really care about people’s lives, drop your guns; or, if you do not want to make this kind of mistake, drop it.

                                                

            Second, most people have guns to protect themselves, but there always are certain people who use guns to hurt innocent people. This is a big issue in America. The Virginia Tech campus shooting, 33 people were shot and killed, and gunman shot himself. On December 14th, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings occurred, resulting in 28 deaths, including 20 children. On the morning of October 21st in Spark, Nevada, a Sparks Middle School student, according to local police, shot and killed one teacher and injured two students. He later shot himself. That is real! It is very serious problem. No one wants their own kids to leave them like that. Please have mercy. Stop allowing regular people to own guns.

            Third, I think adults should not have the right to carry a concealed handgun. Carrying a concealed handgun increases the chances of a confrontation escalating and turning lethal. The chances of a handgun being used inappropriately increase when normally responsible adults are intoxicated, tired, afraid, or untrained in conflict resolution. The concealed carrying of handguns increases the likelihood of unintended shootings taking place. According to a July 2001 peer-reviewed study appearing in Accident Analysis and Prevention by Matthew Miller, PhD, Deborah Azrael, PhD, and David Hemenway, PhD, approximately 50 people are unintentionally shot each day in America and a child under 15 years of age dies every other day from unintended gunfire. Live or die, make your choice.

            Adults should not have the right to have a handgun. Everyone has their family and we should not lose any part of it. No guns equals less death. I suggest people should not have guns; for your family, for your country, for our world's peace.