William Mathieu

3/6/16
Ms. Reed
Comp 1
Gun Control Image Analysis
Laws pertaining to gun control are one of the most frequently talked about things in the
national media on regular bases. This as of recently is usually a tactic to sway voters opinions. I
am here to talk about the effect that gun control has. The main questions in society today are
usually something along the lines of: Will stricter gun control cut down on the amount of
crime? and Are gun control laws infringing on our freedoms given to us by the Constitution?
Well to the question of Will stricter gun control laws cut down on the amount of
Crime? the answer is that is an option that only our government themselves can really make.
The probability that crime rates would go down is probably likely, but this has a lot of variables
due to how strict the laws are. Most crimes are committed with handguns throughout the US.
This is also the type of weapon that is used for concealed carry. Concealed carry is a permit to
legally be able to carry a handgun for self-defense. Four states do not even require a permit,
those four being Arizona, Vermont, Wyoming, and Alaska. Three of those states with no permits
have the lowest eleven states for gun related murders. Chicago implemented concealed carry and
the theft, burglary, and robbery rates all went 20% down. So, it seems like the real question is it
better to ban all handguns, or make it easier to obtain a conceal carry license.
To the question of Are gun control laws infringing on our freedoms given to us by the
constitution? The real truthful answer isnt yes or no, it lies somewhere in between. The whole
point of the 2nd amendment was to be able to protect ourselves from an oppressive government

or greater power. It wasnt meant to kill someone who is stealing your car. The whole point of
concealed carry licenses, in fact, are for self-defense. This is a very reasonable thing in fact and
has saved many of lives. For instance A woman being dragged across a Texas parking lot as she
held onto her purse in an apparent mugging attempt was saved when a nearby stranger, who was
carrying a concealed weapon, joined the situation and held the suspects, a man, and a woman, at
gunpoint until police arrived. This is just one of the many examples of a possible life-saving event.
He didnt kill the men he simply prevented them from whatever horrible thing that could have
happened to that innocent lady. She couldve been assaulted heavily, raped, or even murdered. So,
the amendment is no longer really meant for its originally applied purpose, seeing there is no really
threatening higher power at this moment. As time has gone by the amendment has developed a new
purpose really, protection for dangerous criminals.

This was the image I picked over all the other gun control images that I saw. I picked this due to it
being very applying to gun control and how it works for the most part. Around 34% of American
households have at least one gun. There are between 270-310 million registered guns in America.
Yet, if all these were to be taken away this would take away protection for all those with registered
guns, which for the majority of the time arent the ones committing crimes in the first place. All of
those who illegally have guns or have them unregistered, would still most likely have their weapons
with the ability to attack defenseless other citizens. Gun control looks good on paper, and could very
well work if played out. The problem is you take the best defense mechanism from innocent people,
it makes them easier to get prayed on. Also, if everyones guns were taken away there becomes a

government agency in charge that would cost tons of money. Thats the least of our economies fears,
which is only if the government decides not to reimburse those for their weapons being taken. This
would also hurt thousands of companies that are weapon related.
This picture shows a criminal that still has his weapon although gun control laws have been
enforced. Yet, the businessman who is seemingly being robbed doesnt have any means of protection.
He is metaphorically pointing his hand in a gun like way, as if its sort of saying gun control still has
protection on paper, but not in reality. The man holding the gun is obviously dressed in less
expensive, shadier clothes than the man in the suit. Hes what you think of when you think of the
ideal criminal. Hes seemingly poor, baggy clothes, unkempt, has a crazy look in his eye. Then theres
the businessman who is wearing a nice looking suit and tie. As well as a wallet full of cash. Maybe
hes signifying the upper middle class of Americans, or maybe hes symbolizing an American
congressman that supports gun control and thinks this is a way to lessen the crime in America.
Either way, this image sends a clear message stating that gun control is likely not the answer to
solving violence in America.
When talking about gun control a very well made argument can be made for either side. In
fact, there could probably be week-long back and forth arguments over the matter. There are endless
statistics that can go both towards stricter gun control and vice versa. This is a conflict Americans
will likely always fight over, due to it being such an interactive part of Americas lifestyle. Whether it
be self-defense, hunting, competitive shooting, or etc., Americans just seem to have a need for guns.
Whether they get banned or become more accessible US citizens will always have opposing views on
this matter. So, should gun control laws become stricter in America? This only comes with an answer
that future lawmakers and voters can answer.

Citation Page
"5 Gun Control Arguments and How to Destroy Them - The SHTF Journal." The SHTF
Journal RSS. N.p., 30 July 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"Crime Rates in Chicago Plummet After IL Implements Concealed Carry." Ben Swanns Truth
In Media. N.p., 04 Sept. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.
"Guns Save Lives: 12 Stories Cited By Second Amendment Advocates."Newsmax. N.p., 28
Oct. 2014. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.