Guns should not be allowed in public

By Alexis Sierra ’26

Gun violence seems to be an ongoing issue in the United States. Gun violence is not something we should have to worry about everyday, and guns should not be allowed in public places. Not everyone will feel safe if guns are allowed freely, especially without a permit. Carrying a gun can lead to the risks of accidents and misunderstandings, also leading to unnecessary harm. The debate whether guns should be allowed in public remains a hotly contested issue. Advocates for stricter gun control measures argue that the presence of guns in areas such as schools, shopping centers, and parks increases the risk of gun violence and endangers the lives of people. 

Allowing guns in public places raises worries about accidental discharges and intentional acts of violence. Crowded areas increase the risk that one stray bullet could injure an innocent bystander. There are also concerns about children potentially accessing firearms in public. Many U.S. states lack public safety laws that ensure that public safety standards are met before carrying guns in public. It isn’t safe for the environment, and it may not even be safe for the person who has the gun. Eight-eight percent of Americans believe that you should attain a permit before carrying a concealed gun in public places. However, even people with gun permits can still cause harm to the environment. For the safety of the environment, guns being carried should be permitted. It will make things safer for the adults and children in the environment. 

Carrying guns in public places can cause gun violence and accidental shootings in crowded areas. According to the data from the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, U.S. states with higher rates of gun ownership have higher rates of gun deaths, including homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings. Another reason could be the potential escalating confrontations when guns are present. A study by Harvard researchers found that carrying a firearm increases one’s risk of being shot in an assault. These statistics and studies highlight the devastating consequences of allowing unrestricted carrying of guns in public areas, where a single incident can lead to multiple casualties and traumatic experiences for bystanders. 

Carrying guns in public can also increase mass shootings. A study by the Boston University School of Public Health found that states with higher rates of gun ownership had disproportionately higher rates of mass shootings. The study analyzed data from 1966 to 2015 and concluded that for every 1% increase in gun ownership, the odds of a mass shooting occurring increased by 2.3%. In 2022, from gun owners, there were over 6oo incidents of gun violence in public spaces across the United States, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries. When more people carry guns in public, the likelihood of a disgruntled or mentally unstable individual accessing a firearm and using it for harm increases extremely. 

Proponents of carrying guns in public argue that it is a constitutional right protected by the second law that citizens should be able to exercise this right for self-defense. Some people feel that they should be able to carry a gun in public with a permit in case of a need for self defense. While the Second Amendment protects part of the right, it does not grant an unlimited right to carry firearms in all public spaces. Like other constitutional rights, this right is subject to reasonable regulations to ensure public safety. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld laws that restrict the carrying of firearms in certain locations, such as government buildings and schools. 

In conclusion, a key concern is that allowing firearms in crowded public venues increases risks of accidental injuries, intentional violence and stray bullets harming bystanders, especially in spaces frequented by children and families. Allowing guns in public spaces poses significant risks to public safety and should not be permitted. Many of these places lack proper security protocols to safely accommodate an armed population. The world needs more safety with gun restrictions. Guns should not be allowed in public. Not everyone will feel safe if guns are allowed legally. Carrying a gun can lead to the risks of accidents and misunderstandings that also lead to unnecessary harm throughout the U.S. 

Works Cited

“Carrying Firearms in Public.” The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, https://efsgv.org/learn/policies/carrying-firearms-in-public/. Accessed 14 May 2024.

“Concealed Handguns.” Concealed Guns – Pros & Cons, procon.org, 23 12 2020, https://concealedguns.procon.org/. Accessed 14 May 2024.

“Gun Control and Public Safety.” Legal Defense Fund, https://www.naacpldf.org/gun-control-and-public-safety/. Accessed 14 May 2024.

“Guns in Public | Everytown.” Everytown, https://everytownresearch.org/issue/public-places/. Accessed 14 May 2024.

“Harvard Injury Control Research Center | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.” HSPH.Harvard.edu, 22 March 2024, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/hicrc/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

McKoy, Jillian. “’Constitutional Right to Carry Firearms in Public Will Harm Public Health.’” Boston University, 14 October 2022, https://www.bu.edu/sph/news/articles/2022/the-constitutional-right-to-carry-firearms-in-public-will-harm-public-health/. Accessed 14 May 2024.“National Survey of Gun Policy | Center for Gun Violence Solutions.” Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2 June 2023, https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/research-reports/americans-agree-on-effective-gun-policy-more-than-were-led-to-believe. Accessed 14 May 2024.