Since guns started being mass produced and became more of a common object in homes and communities violence involving the weapons has also risen. Gun violence, being anything that causes negative effects directly related to those using the weapons, includes mainly public shootings. These cases have become more common in recent years in the United States and even more so in South Carolina.
After all of these shootings many people have taken a stand behind the topic "Gun Control", or the restriction of gun ownership. The one thing that all of these violent examples have in common is that these three shootings happened in "Gun-Free Zones", a place where no one could help prevent or stop such acts from happening. This is a problem just as much as the shootings are.
Gun Violence in the nation and in South Carolina is an issue and has been for a while. Many people assume that the fewer amount of guns in the hands of individuals is the best way to solve issues but rather it is the opposite. More guns in the hands of people who have the proper knowledge and training can help prevent more mass shootings and save many more lives than the opposing view.
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution states that it is the right of the people, not just military and other officers, to legally own and carry a weapon. The key word in this statement is "legally". Many people own and possess guns illegally and therefore violent acts occur.
Permits to carry in most states require not only a background check and state/federal approval, but also a shooting test to display that the individual can safely operate his or her weapon. This decreases the chances to almost zero of someone legally owning a gun who cannot safely use the weapon.
More men and women who have the proper knowledge and training can and will save many lives. Also, decreasing gun free zones and allowing those who are legally carrying guns to be more involved adds an extra unseen aid in preventing violence and that aid is fear. The more that people are aware there are people with guns who can stop violence the less likely shootings will take place.
The United States of America is a place that most if not all of us have learned to love and appreciate more than anything else. Happiness, love, peace, and many more hidden attributes come with this land. Let us protect the things we love and the rights that we have by upholding the standards and taking advantage of what our Founding Fathers have given us. More legally carrying gun owners can and will protect our future in America!
Works Cited
Photo URLs
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http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/undocumented-victims-orlando-shooting-eligible-visa-article-1.2677978
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/gun-violence-norm-america
http://quietmike.org/2013/09/23/one-way-stop-gun-violence-in-america/
http://blog.kevinmaxwell.co.uk/2016/06/why-cant-america-get-control-of-its-guns/
https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2016/04/RTX1YNPV/lead_large.jpg?1460655619
http://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Charleston-Shooting136-1880x1220.jpeg
http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2014/10/10-pros-cons-daily-iwb-owb-concealed-carry-designs/#iwb-1
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http://www.conduitforaction.org/why-does-republican-wants-to-revisit-gun-rights-legislation/
Website References for Specific Content
SANDY HOOK AND OPPOSITE VIEWS OF GUN CONTROL: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/16/after-sandy-hook-gun-control-and-the-south.html
GUN CARRY LAWS: http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/open-and-concealed-gun-carry-laws-south-carolina.htm#
South Carolina Gun Laws: http://smartgunlaws.org/gun-laws/state-law/south-carolina/
Ways to Stop Gun Violence: https://www.preventioninstitute.org/focus-areas/preventing-violence-and-reducing-injury/preventing-violence-advocacy
Gun Violence Stats for S.C. https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/SouthCarolinaGunViolence1.pdf
Gun Death Rates in U.S.A.: http://nytimes.com/2016/06/14/upshot/compare-these-gun-death-rates-the-us-is-in-a-different-world.html
Pro/Con of Gun Control: http://gun-control.procon.org/
Concealed Carry Stops Shooter: https://www.google.com/amp/insider.foxnews.com/amp/article/50036
What is GOOD and BAD about Gun Control: http://navajocodetalkers.org/9-principal-pros-and-cons-of-gun-control/
Teaching Gun Safety in Schools: http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96091
Positive Effects of Concealed Carry: http://nyln.org/concealed-carry-pros-and-cons-list