Gun Rights

My first point arguing against gun rights will be to address the Second Amendment in the US Constitution. This amendment was adopted in December 1751, before the official Declaration of Independence was accepted in 1776. During this time guns were a necessary tool to have, as it meant survival during Westward expansion, to fight any other colonists or foreign powers and as a means of self-defence in a time when people were extremely isolated. Where does any of this now apply to modern day scenarios? Modern day pro-gun activists point out that it is a way of protecting oneself from their own government, a way of limiting its power. However, given the extent of power that the US military holds, this argument is incredibly flawed. Firstly, what can, as an example, one small community do if such a situation were to arise where they fought the military? They would lose every single time, regardless of whether they had guns or not. Secondly, the likelihood of the government actively working against the people they represent in such a way simply would not occur in the US. It has too much reliance on the free market, production etc. for it to invoke a hostile response from such a large population. It is for these primary reasons, the outdated and obsolete nature of the Amendment, that I believe it is a flawed argument to use. My second point will be to address the common misconception that guns are necessary for self defence. One such argument runs thus: -I am at home with my family -An intruder enters my home and, quite rightly, it is unlikely that the police will arrive in time should I call them -The intruder likely has a gun -I need to defend myself and the best way of doing that is with a gun This logic badly represents the common criminal. Arguments that "The criminal will just be able to buy a gun on the black market" is absolutely preposterous! One Forbes article ('Inside the black market') states that, on average, even handguns are several HUNDRED dollars above retail price as a minimum, with the prices likely to rise when buying rifles or assault weapons. Most criminals do not have the resources, money or contacts to make buying such a weapon a viable option. After all, most robberies/muggings are committed in order to sell the objects to make money. The argument that the black market is just another, bottomless resource for guns that criminals can readily access is very misunderstood. As a result, guns are simply not necessary! Most households have knives or bats or some other weapon that will very easily deter a criminal who, realistically, is not picking a fight! Most will flee the scene of a crime when spotted and modern surveillance and police techniques make it relatively simply to track them down. (nb. Just to clarify, I am in no way endorsing the use of violence by anyone, simply that it can be used as an effective last resort). In many countries without guns, murder rates drop by a huge degree and overall gun-related crime becomes almost non-existent. I am under no false pretences here, I know that this will not have a vast impact on the rate of robberies and muggings. However, the success rate falls sharply indeed when guns are removed, and the possibility of accidental death or manslaughter in a "self-defence" situation also falls. Choosing to reject guns is not taking away rights for the sake of liberalism! It is not harming your chances of self-defence nor is it allowing criminals to run rampage, unchecked by the gunless public! It is reducing murder rates, reducing the success of robberies, increasing the chances of catching and dealing JUSTICE to criminals and, finally, promoting more peaceful communities. If my opponent could now present his arguments in support of gun rights, I will produce a rebuttal in the next round.