Written by: Simone Shree Pathak - 24006, Grade X
Posted on: 15 November, 2021
Human beings are constantly developing. Evolution is always happening. Throughout these millennials; human kind has achieved quite a feat. In these centuries, we have faced a lot of terrors. So, to defend ourselves from such disasters, humankind made different weapons. Now, these weapons were made to defend themselves from threats. However, in recent years, such weapons have become a human-killing device.
Now speaking of whether guns kill or protect. This question itself brings a lot of controversy along with it because there are always new opinions arising. There are two parties; one which thinks guns protect and the other one who believe guns can kill. Both of them hold strong beliefs and they both are right on their own perspective. Guns were essentially made to neutralize threats. Because of different threats they could face, our ancestors created guns as a defense mechanism.
Guns damage the target. With us ignoring that guns were primarily made to protect; we can say that guns kill. However, I am not saying that the guns themselves kill people; because at the end of the day; people kill people with the help of guns. Because of the twisting society, the essence and meaning behind certain things are also changing.
Many say that saying guns kill people is equivalent to blaming a pencil for a writing mistake. Even though there are many arguments regarding this; we still cannot ignore the fact that guns are capable of killing. We use knives in the kitchen to cut vegetables and use axes to cut wood; however guns do not have any other purpose besides shooting a target. What I am trying to say is; unlike knives and axes which have other purposes and uses even though they can kill; guns were primarily used to shoot. This is an important factor we cannot ignore.
It is also said that, if there is a gun in a household which is there to shoot an intruder. The members of the house are likely to shoot someone else other than the intruder. For example a family member. The reason is because; the simple fact that a gun is lying around in someone’s household for protection might cause the members of that house to gravitate towards aggressive behavior. Not to mention, people actually use guns to kill. For example; in the name of protecting the nation, the soldiers in the wars are killing people with guns.
If there are no strict rules regarding the use of guns in a certain area; the crime rate is bound to increase. With the homicide rate increasing many people will lose their lives along the way. For this, people should be made aware of the potential harm guns can do. The people should have strong morals for crimes with the use of guns to lessen. The government as well should make strict policies regarding guns and their use. Guns should not be taken lightly especially when they can stake someone’s life. We should remember that guns can kill however they can also protect. It depends on us how we make use of it.
