Crime in modern society

In modern society, crime is considered to be a grave problem. In today’s world full of cruelty, the attempts to reduce the crime rate to the possible lowest minimum are quite explicable. Crimes have taken roots in our society and unfortunately have become an essential part of our life; in the effort to fight against the increase of the quantity of crimes, first of all it is necessary to analyze the roots of present-day crimes. Free carrying of guns is one of the basic reasons of this issue. The gun control problem is of high importance nowadays in America and it causes hot disputes both in the society and among politicians. There are several main questions concerning this problem: on what level gun control should be carried out, whether it helps to decrease the rate of crime and at last what particular regulations should be adopted to exercise the control effectively.
As any disputable question, the issue has its supporters and opponents. Those who keep to the opinion that gun control is unnecessary assert that the more people are armed, the less crimes there are in society. This movement is leaded by the National Rifle Association that claims ordinary citizens have to carry handguns in order to protect themselves. Besides, culprits, being aware of it, are more cautious in committing crimes. The opponents of gun control are guided by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution that says: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. (Wayment, 15)
On the other hand, the supporters of gun control affirm that the fewer guns are available to citizens the lower is opportunity to commit a crime using firearms. “They point to incidents such as the Columbine high school massacre in April 1999, which resulted in the deaths of 14 students (including the two gunmen) and a teacher, in support of banning assault weapons. They also support measures intended to curb gun-related violence, such as mandatory child safety locks, background checks on those wishing to purchase a gun, limits on the number of guns a person can buy and raising the age limit for gun ownership.” (Spitzer, 160)
For example, in such countries as Japan and UK, gun control is very strict, still there is no significant difference in the crime rate, while in Switzerland and Canada the situation is opposite: along with the widespread having of gun, the crime rate is quite low. Still, despite numerous studies, there is no definite answer what decision is more effective. The comparison of similar gun politics in different counties does not produce a necessary result, taking into account various circumstances, mentalities, and home policy.
Therefore, the main question is whether gun control always helps to stop the growing crime rate. Personally, I am inclined to believe that gun control is the best method in the present critical juncture of things. It is obvious that sometimes gun control is not as effective as one would like it to be. Still, if to choose between the right-to-carry laws and gun control, I assume we should follow common sense and logic and keep to strict regulations as regards the gun policy. Today the violence rate in America is very high, especially in the urban areas, it is quite easy to get the license to carry firearms, while according to the statistics about 60% of all crimes are committed with the help of guns. As the crime rate and the rate of school violence grow it becomes evident that it is necessary to take immediate action. Gun control is one of such methods. The conception of school violence has changed. Today it is almost normal to bring a gun to school while only several decades ago having a chewing gum was considered as school violence. Unfortunately, children face violence at schools where they should be given not only knowledge on various subjects but also ethical values and basic moral principles. Now school authorities try to find the solutions of such grave problems as drug and alcohol use, rape, suicide, gun possession and many others. To my mind the vulnerability of children should be the main impetus for enacting strict regulations concerning having firearms, while the possibility of self-defense is a weak excuse here.
Besides, it is known that after particular measures of American government, directed at gun control, for example, Brady Bill, the amount of deaths, committed by guns has considerably decreased, as well as the amount of handguns, domestically produced and imported.
To crown the above-mentioned arguments, I believe that gun control is necessary in America as the former experience showed the decrease of the homicide rate after adopting particular measures concerning gun control. The problem is urgent in America and needs a proper solution. Gun control is effective when it is exercised reasonably and when the peculiarities of the internal policy in the country are taking into account. It is evident that gun control can not be the right solution in all situations and it is not the method to reduce absolutely the crime rate. In some cases, people should have the possibility to defend themselves, their families and their homes. However, it is very important to adapt correct regulations and to consider all the possible consequences. I hope that American authorities will pay due attention to the problem and this question will not be disputable any more.

References
John R. Lott Jr. More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime
and Gun-Control Laws. University Of Chicago Press, 1993.
Wayment, Andrew M., The Second Amendment: A Guard for Our
Future Security. Idaho Law Review Comments 37, 2000.
Spitzer, Robert J. The Politics of Gun Control. Chatham House
Publishers, Inc., 1995.