Is Gun Control really necessary or not?

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Is Gun Control really necessary or not? Those who own guns think nothing should prevent them from owing a gun. And those of the opposing view are of the mind set that no one should own a gun. Who is right or are both wrong!

 

The Brady Campaign’s website starts off declaring the following facts:

 

  • One in three people in the U.S. know someone who has been shot.
  • On average, 32 Americans are murdered with guns every day and 140 are treated for a gun assault in an emergency room.
  • Every day on average, 51 people kill themselves with a firearm, and 45 people are shot or killed in an accident with a gun.
  • The U.S. firearm homicide rate is 20 times higher than the combined rates of 22 countries that are our peers in wealth and population.
  • A gun in the home is 22 times more likely to be used to kill or injure in a domestic homicide, suicide, or unintentional shooting than to be used in self-defense.

 

Is that a very strong set of statements or am I wrong in thinking that the Brady Campaign wants no one to own guns? Well I guess that they think that by hitting you right away with these facts that they will use the shock value of these statements to make you a gun control advocate. After all they are very scary facts.

 

Now let us take a look at what the other side says. The National Rifle Association (NRA) fact card states the following:

  • Privately owned firearms in the U.S.: Approximately 300 million, including approximately 100 million handguns.
  • The number of firearms rises by more than 10 million annually.
  • Gun owners in the U.S.: 100 million; 40-45 million own handguns
  • American households that have firearms: 40-45%
  • Hunting licenses sold annually: 14.5 million
  • NRA State Associations and Local Clubs: Over 12,000
  • NRA Target Shooting Tournaments annually: Over 12,000
  • NRA Certified Instructors and Range Safety Officers: 112,000
  • Individuals Attending an NRA Firearm Course annually: Over 800,000
  • NRA Law Enforcement Firearm Instructors: Over 12,000
  • NRA Certified Competitive Shooting Coaches: 5,000

Well while not as interesting as the Brady Campaign facts the NRA shows that a great number of people already own guns. And that they do have a good number of instructors to ensure firearm safety.

 

Both the Brady Campaign and the NRA also make other points and I do urge you to visit the links I have supplied.

 

Wait a minute is this not a blog about New Jersey issues? Yes it is and here in New Jersey it is just about impossible to get a permit to carry a gun. Plus there are laws that punish those who transport their guns accidentally to work, the store, etc. You are only allowed to transport your gun more or less straight to the gun range and back. Our laws in this state are just about draconian and inflexible. It is about time that we the people take a good hard look at this issue and fix the problems that these laws are creating for law abiding citizens.

 

I am not bothered by having neighbors who own guns, I have two that I know of and both are quite normal people. Maybe there is merit in what both sides have to say and valid reasons to have some fair form of gun control. But, what we have in New Jersey is just plain crazy and it screams for reform.

 

In my opinion both sides are advocating for the extremes and must learn that compromise would make for better gun control laws in New Jersey. While I do not own or want to shoot a gun; according the United States Supreme Court people have the right to own guns and I will respect what the court has had to say.

 

That is my opinion- Jumpin Jersey Mike

 

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