This is a question that has been around before the pre-Prohibition and the National Firearms Act of 1934. But what is the answer? There are many different opinions and views on this matter. Some of which are "objective- and some that are very straight forward. However, one thing is for certain, it is a very hot and controversial topic. One such view or opinion is that Advocates of handgun control emphasize that handguns are too easy to obtain and to easy to abuse. Nan Desuka, a writer on controversial topics, states that "Guns don't kill people " criminals do.""(509) This is a powerful saying, but Desuka believes that murders are committed, not by criminals, but by people with no criminal record and that if repeat offenders of violent crimes have guns, they will use them. She also points out that the murder rate would decrease as well as violent crimes if handguns were outlawed. This advocate firmly believes that that we must recognize the rights of private citizens to protect themselves with handguns and to outlaw guns altogether.
A more stern view or opinion on handgun control is just to simply take the guns away from the individuals. James Wilson, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles, believes that passing gun control laws would be senseless because criminals can get guns anyway. He states that, "Legal restraints on the lawful purchase of guns will have little effect on the illegal use of guns."" (105) He believes that police should take guns away from people who carry them without a permit. This means encouraging them to make street frisks. .
Wilson also states that most accidents involving guns are caused by rifles and shotguns, and not by handguns. Some gun control advocates may concede these points, but there are always opinions.
A more objective view comes from Sarah Thompson, a retired physician, and she gives two points of view. She states that "the presence of a firearm in your home increases the risk of homicide by 43 times.
