Gun Control Is Out Of Control

Essay by anahraHigh School, 12th gradeA+, May 2013

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Gun Control is Out of Control

At 11:10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold arrived separately at Columbine High School. Each was armed with handguns, knives, and a shotgun. After approximately forty-five minutes of shooting, Harris and Klebold had killed thirteen students and a teacher. At the end of their rampage, both boys committed suicide (Rosenberg). The massacre sparked heated debate about gun control laws. Supporters of strict gun control laws argued that there should be no way that two minors should be able to purchase guns so easily. The tragedy at Columbine High School captured the attention of the nation. How could two young men have so much hatred? Had anyone noticed any odd behavior? How were two minors able to amass so many weapons? Despite the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Second Amendment, millions of Americans own guns. Guns have been a major part of American life since the colonial period.

During the settlement of the West, guns gave settlers an advantage during the many wars with different Native American tribes. Guns were a major part of occupational equipment; cowboys needed firearms to hunt, control stampedes, and protect their cattle. Additionally, many new cities and settlements did not have police officers. Instead, regular citizens relied on their guns for protection against crime. However, regular citizens in the 21st century should not have to use guns to protect themselves; there are laws and other forms of protection, today. Therefore, there is a direct correlation that gun control is directly related to a reduction in violent crime in the country, which is supported by many studies. There is a strong link between the availability of guns and gun-related death and injury throughout the world and the statistics tend to support these views. Stricter gun control...