GUN CONTROL

The issue of gun control will always be in our discuss; but most often we forget about the issue till one psycho goes on a shooting spree and killing people in the process. Just then, we all start to talk about it again; only to let the issue fade away. There are arguments to be made on both sides of the issue, but I want to believe that we can all agree that not everyone should have access to a gun. A while back when the gun issue was hot in the news, a commentator on air who is a strong advocate for gun said, “gun don’t kill people, people kill people….”. I immediately jumped from my sit and yelled at my TV saying "I guess cocaine or bad drugs don’t kill either".

When we say “guns don’t kill, is people who kill people” is just like saying a poising drink don’t kill. If the argument is that gun on its own can't kill,  then all the stuff people get arrested  and jailed for, such as: cocaine, heroin, marijuana, high speed car (going far above speed limit) don’t kill either or can't harm you. The issue here is “GUN CONTROL”.  When this issue of control is raised, those who oppose gun control quickly change the subject to “the government wants to take away your gun”. Gun control simply mean what it means: to control guns so that psychos don’t have easy access to it.  My argument is this:  the speedometer in a car, on the average reads about 180 miles to 200 miles per hour. How come we are not allowed by law, to use our God given freedom to drive at any speed that we like? 

In the constitution of the United States, the second amendment talks about the right to bear arms. What kind of arms was the constitution referring to? Arms could be: musket, hand gun, AK 47, grenade, pitch fork, kitchen knife or any thing we might consider a weapon of choice. If I have a military tank does that qualify as my right to bear arms?

The right to bear arms is not a God given right, as most religious people claim in America. I don’t remember seeing that right in the scripture (bible) which I am familiar with. Instead we are warned in the scripture not to trust in chariots in the book of Isaiah chapter 31 verse 1; the book of Psalm chapter 44 verse 6 to 8 talks about not putting our trust in bow or sword. If man still says he wants to buy a gun to protect his wife and kids I will not judge that man. As a matter of fact, most people will understand; especially if he lives in a bad neighborhood or a place that is prone to crimes,such as murder. Those who love to protect their families with gun, would not be silent if we say it is OK for an ex-convict who is a rapist or a murder be allowed to own a gun; especially if the person is your neighbor. Neither will they be silent if someone with a questionable past of mental health be allowed to own a gun. So why is gun control such a controversial issue? Why can’t religious leader speak out, why can’t the politician speak out? As individuals, are we speaking out, or we believe God gave us the right to own a gun?. Maybe it is the fear of the NRA (National Rifle Association).

In America gun control is already taking place, and the amazing thing nobody is challenging the control. It is funny that the Supreme Court, which has upheld case in favor of gun owners, does not allow guns in court. If it is our right, why can we express that right in the court of law? Guns are not allowed in congress, I wonder why!! Elementary, High school and colleges does not allow gun in school, I wonder why!  All these measures are form of gun control, so why is it OK for a civilian to own an AK 47 in this present day or be allowed to carry a gun that can shoot over 50 bullets in one round? How many more killing will take place in schools, Public Park, private establishment before America wakes up? I guess we are waiting till a close family member dies, as a result of a gun before we act. Your child or a close family member can be killed in a school, at the movie theater, or by just walking on the street by a senseless gunman. What is wrong with a society that claims to the home of the brave, yet we are not brave enough to say enough is a enough? What will it take for the United State to talk about control? The assassination of President Lincoln did not, so was the assassination of Kennedy, the attempted assassination of Reagan, what about the congress woman, what about the helpless kids in Columbine, and the helpless people in the movie theater in Colorado. The failure of imagination was attributed to not preventing 9/11 attack, said Richard Clark, a former National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism for the United States.

Before the Mumbai attack, I imagined an attack like that and I express my option in class, I was laughed at.  I still have that imagination; the worst is yet to happen with regards to gun violence in America if we do not put a sensible measures in place.

Please share your view and opinion, please let’s keep it civil