Private Ownership of Handguns Does It Lower or Raise Gun Violence

Two cities, both with equal populations, crime rates, and economies. They are Seattle and Vancouver, but there is one thing that they dont have in common and that is their murder rates by handguns. In Seattle the death rates are twice that of Vancouvers. The reason for this is because in Seattle guns are available to anyone. On the other hand in Vancouver, "guns are tightly restricted and difficult to obtain"(Safran 17). Claire Safran also talks about the stories of children being killed by handguns leaving the families to grieve.
Daniel Polsby talks about how people who do not have access to a firearm are easy targets for people who do. People who have firearms take advantage of those who do not. He tells us that if most citizens are armed there will be more peace within society because criminals a wary of attacking someonne who might have a gun. So, "If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have them"(Polsby 31).

I think that the differences between the two cities, Seattle and Vancouver, should be taken into consideration. It shows us just how much harm firearms can bring to those around us. On the other hand though I do think that people with a history of a good record should be allowed to own a firearm. They can be very useful if you are attacked.

Safran, Claire. Gun Control: Private Ownership of Handguns Leads to Higher Rates of Gun Violence. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1997. Print.

Polsby, Daniel D. Gun Control: Private Ownership of Handguns Leads to Lower Rates of Gun Violence. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc. 1997. Print.