In his article on gun control, Gary Rosen (2002) addresses both the liberal and conservative camps' views on the subject. Rosen explains the views of both sides, discusses the changing trends in gun ownership, and looks at the need for new gun laws. In addition, he reviews gun violence, the views of the gun lobby, and the benefits of background checks before insisting that the two sides need to reach a consensus.
"A middle ground needs to be reached on gun control (Rosen, 2002).
A. Both sides' arguments are valid
1. Gun control supporters point out that current laws are inadequate to prevent firearm fatalities
2. Gun control opponents correctly argue that "legislation has little effect on adolescent gun-related deaths and mass shootings" (Rosen, 2002).
B. Both sides' arguments have holes in them
1. Opponents of gun control also oppose necessary measures like restricting assault weapons
II. Changing Trends in Gun Ownership
A. The total number of firearms in the U.S. has gone up dramatically from 75 million in the late 1960s to 230 million in 2002.
B. Handguns are increasingly coming into use both among criminals and the law-abiding.
A. The laws do not address the real problems with guns
1. More than 80 Americans a day die from guns
2. Of these, only 13,000 were murders; 17,500 were suicides and 1,000 were accidents
A. Guns used to ward off violence
B. Right to carry concealed handguns has driven down violence rates
A. Criminals ignore gun control laws, but
B. Such laws still successful
VI. Benefits of background checks
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