In 1989, guns killed 11,832 Americans (Silver 78 2001). The National Rifle Association (NRA) members believe it is their right to own guns and state that guns are not the source of the crime problem. Gun control advocates, such as the members of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV), argue that those who possess guns are responsible for the majority of violent c

The banning of assault weapons will not help reduce gun violence. Despite their frightening military-style features, they are no less lethal than legal firearms. Labeling all firearms using the name “assault weapon”, parallels designating a 2002 Lamborghini Diablo sports car to a “death car” because of its capability to reach over 100 miles per hour.

President George W. Bush issued a brief comment on the latest school shooting and titled the shooter a “Despicable Coward”. He then strongly suggested an increase in ethics and morality seminars to educate those parents who own guns to protect their children’s’ safety. Not a single effort was made toward gun control, yet attempts made by the media to enforce gun control were graciously turned away (The Bully Pulpit Gets Laryngitis).

Many anti-gun advocates claim to protect the youth of the country by restricting guns. They oftentimes claim that the child’s safety in their home is in jeopardy when a gun is present. However, many pro-gun advocates argue that most youth gun homicides occur in the inner city and urban areas of irresponsible gun owners. The problem is not with the guns, but the lifestyle, which occurs within these urban surroundings.

There are many programs and camps that attempt to improve the inner city environments, however most people feel that a midnight basketball league or a weeklong youth improvement camp will not reform a “gang-banger” into a model citizen. Conservative gun control cannot resolve all problems concerning the misuse of guns. “We need to look at the groups that use and misuse guns and see what it is that sets them apart socially, economically, and culturally from non users and legal gun users” (Joe Shelley 2002). The only way to cease these acts of gun violence is to determine the source of the problem. Enforcing harsher penalties for gun related crimes, such as illegal gun possession, and increasing the involvement of police to prevent gang affiliation would curb the amount of gun related crimes. The slogan of the National Rifle Association personifies the misuse of firearms, “Guns don’t kill, people do” (NRA).

When cities across the country are accused of violence in their communities; it is the responsible gun owners and gun producers who again are wrongfully criticized. If gun makers are being held responsible for the actions of those who misuse guns, then automobile manufacturers should be held responsible for drunk drivers who recklessly attempt to operate their vehicle and kill someone. Does this sound a bit outrageous? Assault weapons are involved in less crime by a huge margin and most daily crimes are a result of minor firearms.

Some topics in this essay:
Lamborghini Diablo, Amendment Constitution, Charles Kelly, Jessica Carpenter, Abstract Guns, Study Act, Capitol Hill, George Bush, Joe Shelley, Association NRA, gun control, gun owners, personal protection, misuse guns, national rifle association, charles kelly, pro-gun advocates, national rifle, law abiding, bear arms, rifle association, rifle association nra, repudiate gun control, gun related crimes, gun control laws,