Thoughts on Current Gun Laws

When it comes to gun laws in general, I generally side with conservatives who believe in the sanctity of the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, after having researched this topic in depth, I do not firmly believe that all firearms of any type should be allowed in the hands of any old average Joe. To be more specific, I support the restricted ownership of fully automatic weapons in the hands of citizens. A fully automatic weapon is strictly used in the military and by licensed training professionals for a reason, and that is to terminate multiple enemies which is not a bad thing when it comes to war combat but unnecessary when it comes to home protection. Not only do I dislike the limited accuracy and control of a fully automatic weapon, I also do not see a practical application for a citizen to possess a fully-automatic weapon. When it comes to home protection, (which is the main argument against gun control), the most effective gun to defend a residence according to American Rifleman (americanrifleman.org) is a handgun. It is small, easily accessible, easy to maneuver in tight quarters, and very effective. When it comes to rifles, although very effective when hunting, is very impractical (especially a fully-automatic rifle) when it comes to home defense due to the bulkiness and limited maneuverability of the weapon. This is not to discourage anybody from owning a semi-automatic AR-15 or any similar rifles, but rather to explain the ill-necessity of a fully-automatic rifle. Plus, if you find yourself living in a home in which you need a machine gun to defend yourself, it would be a wise decision to move rather than live in paranoia.

Citation:
Horman, Gil B. “Choosing a Home-Defense Gun.” American Rifleman, National Rifle Association of America, 16 Oct. 2015, www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2015/10/16/choosing-a-home-defense-gun/.