Ashley Morgan

The debate about gun control in the United States is a serious issue that needs a solution.

Almost all Americans have an opinion about what they believe should be done to solve the issue

involving the interpretation of the Second Amendment. Some citizens believe that America

needs more legislation regarding gun control, while others believe that there is already enough

legislation and no more needs created. Both sides have similar goals including a safe

environment to live in and not having their rights infringed upon. Regardless of someone’s

personal opinion involving gun control, solutions need to be created to end the gun control

debate.

Americans are given more rights and freedoms than citizens of other countries, including

the right to bear arms. Problems arise because some Americans have abused this right to bear

arms, by using guns for violent acts including murders and robbery. There are restrictions to who

can own a gun in the United States; however, they are not regulated properly. Nowadays, almost

anyone who wants a gun can go and by one. To establish a safe society to live in, not every

person should be able to obtain a gun. There are background checks in place; however, they are

clearly not working. Background checks need to be in place before a citizen is able to buy a gun.

Also, a psychiatric evaluation needs to be completed by a psychiatrist before a person can obtain

a gun. If a person does not pass a mental evaluation they should not be able to receive permission

to obtain a gun.

Also, Americans believe that owning a gun is a constitutional right; however, they should

understand that it is a privilege to own a gun. Since American citizens have a right to own a gun,

they must also express their right by using responsibility. Also, Americans cannot use their right

to bear arms to harm others. Therefore, Americans need to be responsible when expressing their

right given to them by the Second Amendment. In order to own a gun in this country, citizens

seeking to own a gun should have to attend educational classes on gun safety. These classes

should inform citizens on how to properly use guns and keep them safe from burglary and

children. Classes should be mandatory before a citizen can own a gun and should be taken every

couple of years to continue their education.

There is clear evidence that steps need to be taken to resolve the gun control debate. I

believe that stricter background checks need to be implemented as well as completion of a

psychiatric evaluation before someone can legally own a gun. Also citizens that are permitted to

own a gun should attend classes to educate them about proper gun use and regulation. In addition

to these solutions, citizens also need to change their outlook on gun culture. Video games, TV,

and social media do portray the use of guns in a reckless manner. Citizens need to understand

that with the right to bear arms also comes the responsibility to bear arms. Therefore, Americans

need to be responsible with the distribution of guns and the ways in which they use guns. This

problem is not going to be resolved overnight nor will everyone agree with changes that need to

be made. However, compromises must be made in order to end this long lasting debate. By

making stricter background checks, mental evaluations, educational classes, and becoming more

responsible, the issues on gun control debate would hopefully diminish. Even with these

resolutions criminals are still going to obtain guns by stealing them and using them to inflict

harm on others. However, these new regulations could hopefully decrease the amount of gun

violence that occurs in the United States.