Almost everyone seems to have a strong stance on gun control. Whether they want more of it or less, they are all ready to voice their opinions strongly on the matter. This seems especially true when people have no real understanding of how guns operate, as the fear of the unknown brings them to make outrageous claims. Of course, rather than focus on private ownership of firearms, it is past due someone call attention to the real problem that exists: the government.

Uniformed Officers Carry Guns

For some reason, the uneducated masses are perfectly content having armed citizens walking through their neighborhoods, so long as those armed individuals are wearing a uniform. But, as soon as someone without a uniform is seen walking around with a gun, the public seems completely outraged. Even in areas where it is perfectly legal to openly carry, police seem unable to just let citizens exercise their rights. This video is a perfect example:

Naturally, the worst part about this video is how it shows the difference in racial treatment between whites and blacks, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. The fact they would accost anyone who is carrying a weapon legally is absolutely absurd. If the law exists to let them carry, then let them carry.

Police Shootings

What makes this double standard even more outrageous is the amount of police shootings that occur. In recent years, it is becoming more and more apparent there are too many occasions when these shootings are completely unwarranted. The situation in Ferguson is fairly well-known, but there are plenty of situations that occur and go unreported, such as the murder of Dillon Taylor last year, which was somehow ignored because it was considered justified. If a private citizen shot an unarmed 20-year-0ld in this manner, he would be behind bars for sure.

Civilian Shootings

Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to call out the boys in blue without also taking a look at private citizens with guns. Keep in mind, these figures don’t account for whether or not the user of these guns obtained them through legal channels, nor does it account for a variety of other variables. Despite this, an interesting report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) examines gun crimes in America. First, it must be important to realize, as a general trend, gun laws have become less restrictive over this time period. Contrary to what some might have you believe, these less restrictive laws did not result in gun crime increases, but rather a general downward trend.

As you can see in the NIJ report, the most recent data collected shows guns are used in only 8 percent of violent crimes. Take a step back and actually think about that for a minute. A tool, that so many fear and believe is one of the most efficient means of murder, is used in only 8 percent of violent crimes? That just doesn’t make sense! Perhaps, because the perceived threat is not nearly as serious as people are led to believe.

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Most Gun Owners are Responsible

The simple truth is, most gun owners are responsible. They buy their weapons, keep them locked up when not in use, and take them out when they go hunting or take a trip to the range. One bad apple, and all of our rights get put on the line.

Do you think gun laws should be different for law enforcement? Should law enforcement and the public go through the same firearm training in order to be carry a firearm? 

Additional Images: Pixabay

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