Two Main Arguments for an Increase in Gun Control

The main argument used by those defending the side for an increase in gun control is that a reduction of guns on the streets will lead to less violent crimes being committed. This argument is usually seen as an opinion by those for a decrease in gun control however, there are numbers to back this "opinion" up. At this time in the United States, a little over seventy percent of American households possess a gun. The availability of guns in the United States is at an alarming rate when compared to other countries where the next closest figure is the United Kingdom, at only twenty-eight percent and just across our border Mexico is at seven percent. With these two countries combined adding up to only thirty five percent, we can see that we have doubled the number of guns per household in the United States compared to the 2nd and 3rd countries for households with guns. Using these statistics, organizations such as the Children's Defense Fund and the Violence Policy Center have conducted research in which they have found that the United States has a murder rate at about three times as high and suicide rate at nearly twice as high as these two countries combined. This large difference in murders and suicides is one of the most solid arguments for an increase in gun control and so the groups of a decrease in gun control have had no counter argument.

Another argument can be made by using statistics from other countries. This new argument is one of the most recent arguments that those for an increase in gun control has started using and it could be what is needed to end the debate overall. Currently, the groups for an increase in gun control are conducting research based on recent gun control policies in foreign nations and the effects that they are having on the violent crime rates in those nations. These two countries, the United Kingdom and Mexico, have recently increased their gun control policies within the past ten years to place harsh restrictions on who can buy a gun, how guns can be used and what kinds of guns are allowed to be sold to the public. As a result of this, it is visibly seen that murder rates have dropped substantially and violent crime rates are also starting to decrease in both of these countries. This decrease in crime rates in other countries is beginning to influence the United States' Court to favor those for an increase in gun control.