People may be the ones pulling the trigger, but ultimately, if guns never existed, not a single shooting could have ever happened at all. Sometimes people have mental health illnesses that cause them to lose judgment, and when they have access to weapons such as guns, use them to harm others. “The truth is that our society is populated by an unknown number of genuine monsters-people so deranged, so evil, so possessed by voices and driven by demons that no sane person can possibly ever comprehend them,” (LaPierre 1). Even when the suspect is completely aware of their actions and the consequences, they wouldn’t have the ability to shoot if they didn’t have the weapons to do so. While it is true that they may resort to finding other ways to kill, the chance would be reduced significantly. It is also unfair to mentally ill people that they are blamed for damage they sometimes cause. “By focusing on keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill specifically—and not those who have histories of substance abuse, domestic violence, and other predictors of violent behavior—these laws perpetuate the idea that the mentally ill are an overwhelming threat” (Rapoport 3). While it is devastating what can be done with a gun and an innocent suspect, it can often be avoided. As opposed to treating certain people different than others, taking away guns all together would eliminate risk of any type of destruction by firearm. 

Accidents are among one of the easiest ways to inflict death by firearm. It is no secret that there have been multiple cases of unpurposeful shootings caused by children and even adults. Unfortunately, it is  common for kids to find guns in their houses that their parents own strictly for protection if needed. Younge mentions how “[m]ost people who are killed by guns kill themselves. People who have a gun in the house are far more likely to be shot dead than those who don’t” (1). They may be playing with their friends or siblings, and think the weapon is fake or unloaded. Unfortunately, “seven children or teenagers are shot dead on average every day. Once a week a toddler injures someone with a gun” (1). This leads to people suffering from an injury or worse that would have been preventable if the family never had a gun in the first place. Additionally, houses that contain firearms are much more likely to be the location of suicides because of the accessibility of the gun. 

 Despite the abundance of reasoning as to why guns should be banned, some still argue that guns are an essential part of society today. In America, we have a history of fatalities due to firearms, which factors greatly into other issues such as police brutality. Yes, it is true that none of said cases would have occurred at all if guns never existed. Therefore, if we remove guns from our lives entirely, the issue would be gone completely. However, this principle is shattered by the contradiction that people simply will not listen or abide by any law that prevents them from owning guns. If we were to set this law today, all firearm owners in the country would have their weapons taken away. This doesn’t account for the fact that those who have bad intentions are likely to ignore the new policy. 

 Guns should not be allowed in any form because of the terrible effects they consistently have on humanity. They are responsible for an unreasonable amount of deaths because of accidents or just plain stupidity. Although it would be difficult to outlaw and filter out all guns that exist, it would be worth the positive outcome on America’s overall happiness. 

Goes another one

This precious time we have on Earth is not to be reckoned with

And everything may happen for a reason but 

We’re giving out guns like toys and 

Playtime has rules so that no one gets hurt. 

Bang!

Goes another one

You don’t know him so you flip to the next page

But he was somebody’s brother

And maybe next time it will be your brother

Bang!

Goes another one

I want change for this twisted world to see some light

But here I am sitting in a classroom writing about it instead

Waiting for someone to bust through the door because maybe I am next

Bang!

Goes another one

We learn to trust in each other

Because humans look to each other for love

Even though we go after our dearest enemies first for blood

Bang!

Goes another one

And here we are back at the start

Where he promised not to harm anyone

But signing a piece of paper means nothing because

Bang!

We are down 17 angels once again