Hairy Monkeys

With many recent up roars with gun violence I, think that there should be stricter laws when it comes to guns. To many innocent lives have been taken because of misuse of firearms, and with the help of law makers, you can make that difference. Guns should be under strict control by the government in order to prevent crimes of passion, reduce accidental deaths by gunshot, and minimize gun-related suicide.

The first reason guns should be controlled in the United States is to reduce the number of crimes. A crime, especially involving a gun is usually a result of anger. Numerous people are shot every year after verbal confrontations. Recently, malls, schools, and movie theaters and the people in them have come under attack by armed gunmen who were mentally unstable. "A lone gunman shot and killed his mother, then drove to the school where she reportedly taught and went on a shooting rampage Friday morning, killing 26 people, including 20 children, before turning a gun on himself" (Stroller 1). If these guns were properly stored, and not around a mentally unstable boy, 26 lives would have been saved. "Using the most recent CDC estimates for yearly deaths by guns in the United States, it is likely that as of today, 1/16/2014, roughly 36,670 people have died from guns in the U.S. since the Newtown shootings" (Kirl and Kois 1). Not only can people with guns effect lives of others, but they can also effect themselves.

An important, reason to control guns in America is the number of suicides committed by persons with guns. Although suicide can be accomplished with drugs or by hanging, many deaths occur each day by gunshot wounds to the chest or head. Mentally distraught persons and guns is simply a tragic combination. Suicidal people often have easy access to guns with horrible results. Taking away easy access to firearms could in fact save lives. Making it harder to get guns, such as stricter rules and background checks before one sells or buys his or her gun.

The argument of gun control stands that, 'Gun control is not crime control.' That in fact many crimes don't involve firearms, rather knives, bats, and other concealable weapons. "According to the FBI annual crime statistics, the number of murders committed annually with hammers and clubs far outnumbers the number of murders committed with a rifle" (Hawkins 1). With this being said, many people are against gun control, and think it is unnecessary.

Hopefully you and the rest of this nation realize how important it is to make gun laws stricter. It will save many lives, which should not be taken. For those who lost their lives, I believe they would want this too. Do the right thing, and make America a safer place.