Guns: Who Should Have One and Who Shouldn't?

As the question hints, there are two sides to the debate. On one side we have the Pro gun advocates, who believe that everyone but...should have a gun. On the other side there are the Gun Control advocates, who believe that no one but...should have a gun. I'm going to try and put it into as few words as I can how each side is right-and wrong.

First, let's look at the gun control side of the equation. Gun control advocates pretty well believe that the only ones who should be armed are:

1. Law Enforcement (on duty only). I really can't argue against this one, except the on duty part. Law Enforcement Officers risk their own lives to protect us each day. They are basically on duty 24hours a day because, whether they are at work or not, they are expected to step in and defend the defenseless or stop the robbery or other crimes if they see them being committed.

2. The Military (only while defending our country and only on foreign soil). Again, this is partially correct. The military are tasked with defending our freedoms and our way of life. An organized military, other than in times of civil unrest, has no business being armed on our soil. However, each one of them is also an individual. That individual has the constitutional right to carry a firearm to defend themselves, their loved ones and others who need it.

Pro gun advocates believe that everyone should be armed. The only exceptions are:

1. Children. On this I couldn't agree more. When I grew up, nearly all the kids in my rural area knew how to use a rifle. We hunted for food, not to randomly kill other individuals. Now kids have access to handguns of all types and they don't have the skillset or the maturity to carry or use a firearm. Every day we turn on the news and another child is senselessly shot either through negligence or an accident.

2. Criminals. Criminals are the ones we can all agree should not have a weapon. That's why they are called criminals; they commit crimes. One problem with criminals is, when guns are taken away from law abiding citizens, the criminals will still get them-because they are criminals.

3. Mentally ill. This is a touchy subject to many. However, when you look at every mass shooting over the past few decades, they have been committed by individuals who have some type of mental disorder, whether lifelong or recently manifested. Most of the time there were incidences leading up to the shooting that, had someone been paying attention, could have been acted upon and the shooting prevented.

4. Angry or Abusive people. These would be the husband/spouse/significant other who is abusive to their partner. They threaten and coerce them sometimes with violence if they don't toe the line. A restraining order or order of protection is filed or the victim leaves them. The abuser then follows them, stalks them or finds them and kills them. This type person should not be trusted with a firearm at all.

What's the solution to all of this? There answer is-there isn't a foolproof solution to it. It's important that people protect themselves and learn as much about how to do it as they can. You don't have to go overboard to protect yourself. However, whatever you decide to arm yourself with, learn to use it. If you choose to not carry a handgun or knife, but to physically fight an attacker, then know how to use your hands and feet and anything else available to defend yourself. If you choose to use pepper spray or a baton, then learn to use them properly. If you decide to carry a firearm, then you have an obligation to yourself, your family and children and everyone else around you to be proficient in the proper cleaning, storage, carry and use of that firearm.