Gun Control

Solution

   Any discussion on gun control should consider the following regarding self-defense: a firearm's stopping power, the number of adversaries to defend against, and the distance of a typical confrontation.

   Regarding a firearm's stopping power, in nearly every situation, a .38 caliber is adequate enough to prevent an assailant from doing further harm. Using a higher caliber is unnecessary and poses a risk to public safety (e.g., may go through residential walls). Since a higher caliber is not needed for self-defense, anything greater than a .38 caliber should be banned for ownership. Exceptions may be permitted if there is a need for such as with a park ranger requiring a .50 caliber against bear attacks.

   The second factor to consider for gun control is the number of adversaries to defend against. On average, crimes are typically committed with less than six adversaries in a given situation. Because of this, it is unnecessary for firearms to provide a greater number of rounds than this since the additional firepower isn't truly needed. A greater factor in protecting oneself would be proficiency in the firearm itself rather than the number of rounds that may be available.

   Since excessive rounds are unnecessary, only revolver-style weapons should be permitted to the public since semi-automatics have magazines and are clip-loaded (may be easily modified). Only law enforcement may carry other types of firearms than a six-round revolver in order to carry out their duties to the community.

   The third factor to consider for gun control is the typical distance that may be necessary to protect oneself from harm. On average, crimes usually occur within a ten-meter (30 foot) distance. Since this is within range of a pistol, long firearms like military-style assault rifles should be banned since they are unnecessary at such short distances.

   So, after considering the above arguments, a fairly restrictive gun control policy may result for the nation. Some may raise concern, however, a person only needs a six-round .38 caliber revolver for self-defense. Anything else would be overkill and poses a risk to the general public. Again, training and proficiency in the firearm is a greater factor in protecting oneself from harm than the type of firearm itself.

   For hunting purposes, high-powered rifles should be evaluated to prevent their possible use in criminal activities. Since hunting typically requires only a single round to bring down game (two for birds), all hunting rifles should be restricted to being of the breech-loaded, single-shot variety (double-barrel for birds). Bolt-action, pump-action, and semi-automatic versions of hunting rifles should be banned since they may be modified and risk public safety.

   In America, approximately 30% of the adult population owns a firearm, which in a pure democracy, will no longer be influenced by special interest groups like the NRA (and corrupted politics). So, regarding the above justifications, the majority of the population should be satisfied that the nation will have an effective gun control policy, while allowing the minority of citizens who are armed, the opportunity to protect themselves and hunt game.