Keeping guns and weapons for self protection

Keeping guns and weapons for self protection

A surge in demand for guns and other weapons for self protection has been noticed in the recent times. The trend to keep weapons for self protection had existed since old times. In the present era the motive comes under scrutiny due to various reasons. Most of the times, it has been evident that the guns that were supposed to be used in self protection end up hurting innocent people only. Or, at times, they act as the easiest mode of injury in domestic violence.

There are numerous reasons that support and validate the act of keeping guns and weapons for self protection. It has been noticed that lesser crimes were reported against the persons who possess self defence weapons. Lowered incidences of rape and assault have also been cited. It has also been advocated that providing guns to law-abiding persons will further reduce the rate of committing crimes. The criminal or an offender will think twice if more individuals in the general public contain guns and other weapons. But it has to be ascertained that this liberty is only provided to those who are law abiding and responsible citizens.

On the other hand, there are several negative points of keeping weapons at home. The foremost is their injudicious use that causes domestic violence. The other risk factor comes with improper storage of the same. Many times, kids and amateurs become easy prey of loaded and unlocked guns. Strict measures should be explained while allotting the weapons. It becomes the moral duty of those who possess weapons, to store them with utmost care and precautions. This will help in avoiding mishaps and will serve the true purpose of the possession of weapons.

There is another strong opposing factor in keeping the weapons for self defence. An acute increase in use of guns has been noticed in committing suicides. But if one carefully evaluates the situation, the relative use of guns in committing suicides is far lower than other trivial methods that are followed. The statistics show that a total increase in number of suicides has been noticed in recent past. Therefore, the problem is deeper and requires other remedial measures than just banning guns.

Considering all the facts that are stated above it become a matter of personal choice and perception of an individual to possess weapons or not. But one fact cannot be denied that there is definitely a rise in violence in society. Teenagers have easy access to weapons at home and they are injudiciously using them against peers and society. The rising levels of resentment in youth and easy access to weapons had led to serious offences in past. School killings in USA are the most striking and disturbing example. It has also been noticed that people possessing weapons attacked or killed others on trivial matters like road rage or a street fight. The growing impatience and lack of direction in youth is a matter of concern and a picture far larger than mere owning the weapons.

Self protection is the fundamental right of an individual. Possessing weapons for the purpose seems comprehensible. The contradiction only arises when the weapon is manhandled and misused. There is no harm in keeping weapons for those who strictly abide the law. Government authorities should however, pay attention and make strict provisions for not letting weapons go in wrong hands.