We Should Have Stricter Gun Control

As I've done with the previous rounds, I am determined to focus this debate on gun rights to a specific contention: whether the application of stricter gun controls will lead to a positive consequence in the balance of armed, innocent citizens and criminals with weapons. Obviously we desire more of the former and less of the latter, it is extremely likely to do away with both of them -- however, we can hope to minimize such damage by prompting for more well-armed citizens whilst disarming criminals. This is where I propose gun controls can help. Since I believe our only major point of division to be here, I will go on and explain the failure of her argument concerning the first point, and then demonstrate the irrelevancy of her other contentions. In fact, as I've stated before I will even grant her latter 2 points given that they are both harmless to my position nor do they conflict with it. ==================== Argument #1: Stricter gun control laws do not reduce crime. ==================== Your first rebuttal is to argue that everyone will have a harder time to obtain guns if there are stricter gun laws, thus lowering the amount of criminals owning guns BUT ALSO citizens in need of a defensive weapon. Whether or not this is an appropriate criticism (as it assumes the lowering of the opportunities for citizens is as important for criminals), I can level one easy argument against it: this is simply false. Sure, sellers may not be able to check out the customer's motivation but they can very well apply other rules and regulations to strengthen the prevention of a gun getting into a criminal's hand. Things such as much more extensive background checks (there are obviously levels), a longer waiting period, a more extensive test, a limit on what kind of guns can be bought, etc. There are a much more things that can be down to restrict the flow of guns into the public hands that can be done without impeding a citizen too much. As long as said citizen is law-abiding and a little more patient, he should be able to buy his gun -- the criminal, on the other hand, will likely turn up to be illegitimate or not try at all in fear of being caught. Your other point is about those gain guns illegally - this dodges the point I am making. If we are deciding on laws concerning the regulation of alcohol, it would be irrelevant to cite instances in which teenagers obtain alcohol via illegal methods; it's not the laws fault that people are breaking it. To curb such an effect, though, stricter gun laws can make it harder for private interests to obtain and manufacture guns. ==================== Argument #2 and #3: Guns save lives & Guns are a form of liberty. ==================== As I've stated in my previous contention, this is a useless argument now. While it is true the amount of law-abiding citizens will decrease ever so slightly, the amount of criminals with weapons will decrease MUCH MORE given the much more ample risks present in stricter gun control laws (more extensive background search, stricter tests, etc. ). And in the same vein, though guns are a form of liberty and expression for Americans the presence of gun related crimes is of MUCH MORE IMPORTANCE than pleasing those with a gun hobby. To relate gun ownership to one's liberty is nonsense - old age traditions of liberty that were connected with America has no bearing on what is true for many people today. I for one do not find guns to be liberating, though I do know some do. The point is that though the presence of gun ownership will elicit certain emotions, it's irrelevant in the face of danger. .. especially when THEY CAN STILL OBTAIN IT. They just got to wait a little longer, is that too much to ask? ==================== Conclusion ==================== My position in no ways denies the liberty or safety of it's citizens, though I will agree it does lower it to some extent. However, this shouldn't be taken with too much weight given the fact that in the same hand, the amount of criminals with weapons will decrease MUCH MORE.