Gun Control Position Paper

TOPIC: Gun Control Position Paper

Paper Assignments : 

A) Paper has to be 3 pages long 

B) It has to be double space and one-inch margins on all sides 

C) It has to be typed in Times New Roman Font (12) 

D) Written in MLA format and it must contain a separate Works Cited page. Needs to have at least 4 citations from 4 different reputable sources within your paper. 

E) No Wikipedia is allowed. 

F) You must provide statistical and/or specific current or historical events or facts to augment your thesis. 

1. Are you for or against gun control and what is your stated position in the introduction?,

2. What arguments support your position (with a focus on facts data and historical/current events)?,

3. What are the counterarguments from the opposing side of the gun control debate?,

4. What reputable sources can you cite (minimum 4) to support your arguments in MLA format?,

5. What statistical or historical evidence can you include to strengthen your thesis?

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In the first paragraph, you must include the one you choose if you are for or against it

The arguments of both must be included, but focus and stating facts more on the side you choose

IMPORTANT: MLA format

Gun violence is one of the most pressing issues in American society today. I firmly stand in favor of gun control as a necessary measure to ensure public safety and reduce preventable deaths. While the Second Amendment grants citizens the right to bear arms, this right must be balanced with the need to protect communities from the devastating consequences of gun misuse. The objective of gun control is not to abolish gun ownership but to enforce reasonable restrictions that prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands. Although opponents of gun control raise concerns about individual freedoms and self-defense, the alarming statistics and tragic events of mass shootings highlight the urgent need for reform.

One of the most compelling arguments for gun control is the direct correlation between firearm accessibility and gun deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 48,000 people in the United States died from gun-related injuries in 2021 alone (CDC, 2022). That’s an average of 132 lives lost per day. Countries with stricter gun laws, such as Australia and Japan, have significantly lower rates of gun-related homicides. For example, after Australia implemented strict gun control laws following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, the country saw a dramatic decrease in gun violence and has not experienced a mass shooting since (Chapman et al., 2006). These outcomes underscore the effectiveness of legislative action in addressing firearm-related violence.

Opponents of gun control often argue that such measures infringe on constitutional rights and impair self-defense. The National Rifle Association (NRA) maintains that “guns don’t kill people; people kill people,” emphasizing personal responsibility over regulation. They also claim that an armed populace is essential for preventing tyranny and ensuring public safety. While these arguments reflect deeply held beliefs, they often ignore the real consequences of unchecked gun ownership. In fact, data from the Harvard Injury Control Research Center suggests that having a gun in the home significantly increases the risk of accidental shootings, suicides, and domestic violence incidents (Hemenway, 2011). The presence of firearms, especially in homes with children or individuals struggling with mental health, creates unnecessary risk.