An Analysis of Gun Ownership: Ban or Education?
Individual gun ownership is one of the most debated and least agreed-upon topics globally. It is important to note that making a generalization about this issue is not accurate. Each country should be assessed based on its level of prosperity, economic conditions, and educational standards, taking into account its sociological structure. In this article, I will focus more on individual gun ownership in societies with low levels of prosperity and education.
Although many opinions are on the table, society is generally divided into two camps on this issue: supporters and opponents. One side argues that in societies with low education levels and lack of awareness, gun ownership will increase crime rates even further. The other side, however, contends that in such unaware and crime-prone societies, individual gun ownership is necessary for survival.
!!! Before proceeding, I would like to note that although I strive to address this topic objectively and consider both sides of the argument, “I am personally in favor of individual gun ownership.” Therefore, my writing style might be uncomfortable for some readers, particularly those who oppose this law. I recommend that readers keep this perspective in mind as they read. !!
Before making any judgments, it is essential to understand the necessity of individual gun ownership. I find it appropriate to examine this issue under two main headings.
First, we should consider the need for individuals to protect themselves and their families. Specifically, we need to explore how individual gun ownership can address this need, especially in situations where security forces may be inadequate.
Second, we need to analyze these situations. Examining how malicious individuals can acquire firearms and how citizens are left vulnerable against these individuals within the framework of the law will provide a real example from contemporary life.
Both individually and societally, throughout every stage of evolution, humans have needed to defend themselves and their families. Although modern civilized societies have security forces to address this need, there are times when these forces fall short. In such cases, it is crucial for individuals to be able to protect themselves, their families, and, if necessary, those around them.
In societies with low levels of prosperity and economic hardship, the decline in education levels leads to societal decay and an increase in violence. The rise in illegal activities and the inevitability of individuals involved in darker activities arming themselves is a reality today. In these societies, individuals prone to violence, influenced by social media and the film industry, often turn to organized crime and illegal means in pursuit of quick and easy money. This trend can even lead to the arming of young age groups.
In such countries, access to drugs, prohibited substances, and firearms has become quite easy, even through platforms like Telegram. Given this dire situation, many governments attempt to address the problem by banning or restricting individual gun ownership. However, there are several critical aspects that these governments often overlook.
Until we improve the education level of society and increase the standard of living, making it more difficult for citizens to own firearms or banning their possession will not prevent the acquisition of firearms by ignorant and corrupt individuals. On the contrary, such measures leave law-abiding citizens defenseless.
In such countries, governments often justify restricting or banning gun ownership by claiming that security forces are present to handle these matters and arguing that widespread gun ownership would lead to chaos. However, they overlook the fact that “firearms are not the cause of crime but a tool used in the commission of crimes.”
In the United States, where there are 121 guns for every 100 people and individual gun ownership is most prevalent, “some data suggests that high levels of individual gun ownership may be linked to violent crimes, while other data indicates that firearms can be protective for self-defense.” In this context, my support for individual gun ownership is similar to a well-known legal principle: “It is better for a guilty person to be on the loose than for an innocent person to be imprisoned.” Although it cannot be denied that many crimes are committed with individual firearms, these crimes are not caused by the firearms themselves. However, there are hundreds of examples where individuals with personal firearms have saved their own lives and the lives of others when security forces were inadequate. The reason for these saved lives is entirely due to the victims being armed.
Also, when you are armed and commit a crime, the firearm, and therefore the ammunition, are directly linked to you, which we can argue serves as a deterrent against committing crimes.
In conclusion, the issue of individual gun ownership is complex and multi-faceted. Improving education and economic prosperity levels is a crucial step in ensuring societal safety. However, in situations where security forces fall short, individual gun ownership can address the need for citizens to protect themselves.
We must remember that “firearms are not the cause of crime but rather a tool used in the commission of crimes.” While there are some data suggesting that high levels of individual gun ownership may be linked to violent crimes, there are also significant examples where firearms have proven protective when used for self-defense.
We can say rather than banning or restricting individual gun ownership in such societies, efforts should be focused on improving the levels of social welfare and education, and enhancing the effectiveness of security forces. It is impossible to prevent an ignorant society from acquiring firearms and committing crimes. Similarly, leaving citizens unarmed and defenseless and depriving them of their right to individual gun ownership will not solve the problem. Therefore, adopting a comprehensive approach to enhance societal welfare and security will create the most effective solution.
