The proponents of gun control argue, on the other hand, that guns are a virus that must be eradicated. If the gun isn t loaded, or the ammunition isn t nearby, it is not likely to be of much help in a situation needing fast reaction. Yet, if it is loaded and handy, it poses a serious threat to children and other members of family. It is an accident waiting to happen. It is tempting fate severely to keep a powerful weapon available to deal with panic-inducing circumstances.
Panic is a compelling emotion and basically incompatible with reason.
The dilemma of gun control has been to find some way to keep guns out of the hands of the bad people, yet leave the legitimate firearms-owning population alone. An equally grave problem in the context of Pakistan is that the public has little trust in the police, which is generally suspected of being hand in glove with the criminals. The bureaucracy has been sabotaging police reforms recommended by highly qualified Commissions in order to maintain its own monopoly on the coercive arm of police. The military government is now in the happy position to carry out the reforms. The Interior Minister, a former Governor of Sindh, is fully aware of the law and order problems of Karachi.