In the editorial article “Guns are an effective means of self-defense” by John R. Lott Jr, takes on a widely debated issue of gun control. In this article the author gave us a look into some of his beliefs through his research as he teaches criminal deterrence, law and economics at the University of Chicago.
Lott claims that defense gun use occurs more frequently and is more effective than the media reports.
He argues that a criminal is less likely to attack a potential victim when that victim may be armed. John
Lott (1998) explains, according to his statistics that a victim resisting with a gun has less of a risk for serious injury, especially for women. While his beliefs and facts are somewhat credible, and his ideas may be good, his job at trying to persuade the audience was …show more content…
There are some informative points in the article but they are still structured in a way that it starts to get boring the more you read.
When you think about having a gun for self-defense you have to also look at gun ownership as well. Gun ownership has been skyrocketing in virtually all demographic groups. The fastest growing groups in today’s society in regards to gun owners are Republic women whom live in rural areas. John
Lott (2003) states that “national crime rates have been falling at the same time as gun ownership has been rising” (p.6). Maybe the author felt that the numbers at the time were good but it seems rather strange to me that there were not enough facts to back up that crime rates were falling when more people started owning guns. Just because legal law-abiding citizens are owner more guns it does not fluctuate the numbers when you have criminals buying guns off the street illegally. As human beings we are difficult to persuade, due to the fact that we are stubborn and set in our ways when we have
Lott claims that defense gun use occurs more frequently and is more effective than the media reports.
He argues that a criminal is less likely to attack a potential victim when that victim may be armed. John
Lott (1998) explains, according to his statistics that a victim resisting with a gun has less of a risk for serious injury, especially for women. While his beliefs and facts are somewhat credible, and his ideas may be good, his job at trying to persuade the audience was …show more content…
There are some informative points in the article but they are still structured in a way that it starts to get boring the more you read.
When you think about having a gun for self-defense you have to also look at gun ownership as well. Gun ownership has been skyrocketing in virtually all demographic groups. The fastest growing groups in today’s society in regards to gun owners are Republic women whom live in rural areas. John
Lott (2003) states that “national crime rates have been falling at the same time as gun ownership has been rising” (p.6). Maybe the author felt that the numbers at the time were good but it seems rather strange to me that there were not enough facts to back up that crime rates were falling when more people started owning guns. Just because legal law-abiding citizens are owner more guns it does not fluctuate the numbers when you have criminals buying guns off the street illegally. As human beings we are difficult to persuade, due to the fact that we are stubborn and set in our ways when we have