The Issue of Pro-gun Control in The United States

Introduction

This essay will focus on the issue of pro-gun control in the United States. The subject of the legality and practicality of firearms is one of the most controversial topics across modern countries. The United States is at the center of the gun control debate because of its strong pro-gun founding principles. The nation was born with the principles enshrined in the Bill of Rights, where the Second Amendment establishes the right to possess firearms. This amendment and the right to bear arms are subjects of heated debate, but the US has taken it a step further with laws such as the Right to Carry and Right to Conceal. The ability to carry a concealed firearm in public may seem excessive or even reckless to some. However, proponents argue that concealed carriers help keep the country safe from both domestic and foreign threats.

The Role of Concealed Carriers

Concealed carriers are likened to fire extinguishers for violent crime. According to the article "Does Carrying a Pistol Make You Safer?" (Smith, 2020), "Of the millions of Americans who get a concealed handgun permit, only a tiny fraction ever use them. Pro-gun folks compare it to a fire extinguisher in the home — you have it just in case." Concealed carriers can be compared to fire extinguishers for several reasons. People who obtain their CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) permits often hope never to use them, much like someone who buys a fire extinguisher. The idea is that it will never be needed and is only for emergencies. They are both temporary solutions; the fire extinguisher does not replace the fire department, it is just meant to put out small fires or delay larger ones until help arrives. Similarly, concealed firearms are used to stop a potential or active shooter while the police are on their way, not to replace law enforcement, but to fill the gap until they arrive. The premise of concealed carry is self-insurance, which will hopefully never be needed, just like fire extinguishers, home insurance, and warranties. When someone gets their CCW, they do not expect to use it; it is there for emergencies, a "better safe than sorry" scenario. They prefer to be in an active shooter situation with a concealed firearm rather than without any weapon. The reason for fighting so hard to keep the right of concealed carry, and why it's perceived as keeping the country safer, is that it allows people to act as deterrents to criminals. The firearms they carry might not even need to be used to prevent crime; just the possibility that someone nearby might be carrying a gun can deter people from committing criminal acts.

Opposing Views on Concealed Carry

Many people disagree with the above perspective and have the right to do so. Just thinking about the fact that 5% of the US population conceals carry firearms can be shocking to some. A major legitimate pro-gun-control argument against concealed carry is that more criminals and felons might arm themselves and carry concealed firearms because the public is also armed. According to ProCon.org (2022), "Felons report that they often carry firearms to deter victims from resisting. According to a survey of incarcerated felons by the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, 75% reported carrying a gun while committing a crime because 'there's always a chance my victim would be armed.'" This raises the fair question: if the public were not permitted to carry concealed firearms, would more criminals also stop concealing weapons? The reason they carry firearms now is for authority and in case someone decides to fight back. By allowing the general population the chance to conceal carry weapons, we also enable criminals to conceal weapons. With more of the public carrying concealed weapons, there is likely to be an increase in criminals with concealed weapons and violent crime. This makes sense because if someone knows what their opponent is going to do, they will respond accordingly, either matching or one-upping their opponent. From an optimistic standpoint, removing the right to conceal carry might lead criminals to back down because they would know that no one around them is armed. In a perfect world, this could work and solve many problems with violent crime.

The Imperfect Reality

However, the part people seem to miss when looking at most problems in the world is that this isn't a perfect world, and there are those who will do terrible things and abuse the system. In a perfect world, removing concealed carry would only make things worse. If CCWs were removed, the only people who would conceal guns would be criminals, who would have almost unlimited power in the precious minutes before the police arrive. According to ProCon.org (2022), "A 2013 research article in the Wall Street Journal reported that the average police response time to an emergency call is 11 minutes, with some responses taking much longer. In Detroit, the average response time is 58 minutes. Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack said, 'police do very little to prevent violent crime. We investigate crime after the fact.'" Without CCWs, those 11-58 minutes could become a slaughterhouse because everyone would be defenseless. The idea behind concealed carry is to give people the chance to defend themselves during those critical moments when police aren't present. This is why we see many mass shootings happen in "gun-free zones" because criminals know that no one else in these areas is armed, as they are law-abiding citizens. If the country removes the right to conceal carry, then everywhere becomes a "gun-free zone," giving armed criminals unlimited authority because no one would be able to fight back. No matter what actions are taken, criminals will always find ways to obtain firearms and conceal them. By maintaining the right to conceal carry, we allow law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and others from the criminals in this imperfect world.

Conclusion

This country may be divided on the issue of gun control, but hopefully, everyone can agree that safety should be our number one priority, whether from threats foreign or domestic. While the military protects us from threats abroad, we need to rely on CCWs to help make this country safer from those who intend harm to others. In no way do CCWs replace the police; however, they are meant to supplement when police aren't available or aren't on-site yet. CCWs offer peace of mind, knowing that someone around is willing to help protect the general public from anyone who would cause harm.

References

• Smith, J. (2020). Does Carrying a Pistol Make You Safer? The Safety Journal, 12(4), 123-135.
• ProCon.org. (2022). Should Adults Have the Right to Carry a Concealed Handgun? Retrieved from https://www.procon.org/