Required ResourcesRead/review the following resources for this activity: Textbook: Chapters 9, 10 Lesson Minimum of 5 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)InstructionsFirst, return to your

GUN CONTROL 6

Gun Control

Principle of Ethics

Jegede Oluwaseun Comfort

Chamberlain University

May 23, 2020

Principle of Ethics

The issue of gun control has been controversial in the United States. Factions in that debate air different concerns regarding that issue. While one of the sides claim that strict measures should be implemented, the other wing indicates that developing laws against gun use in that state will lead to an increase in gun violence. Mass murders in different regions in the U.S are among the factors that can trigger the development of policies that control gun use. Over the years, gun violence has been the lead story in many news outlets. Acts of violence take a significant toll on victims' lives and the general society as well. In many countries, gun control is uncontroversial and strict. In other countries such as the U.S, the issue is a fraught political issue that includes groups that claim that it is necessary for public safety. In contrast, others indicate that it is a crucial infringement of personal liberty. Deliberating on the different sides of the gun control issue and the moral reasons aired between the two various factions enhances the interpretation of the problem.

Proponents of the control issue claim that the U.S has put approximately 20,000 gun laws in place and that more gun violence still occurs (Spitzer, 2017). One of the ethical reasons that opponents to gun control issue is affiliated with the fact that owning guns is an act of personal liberty. Another ethical reason is that owning a gun is a factor that arms act as self-defense. Individuals who oppose the issue of gun control claim that gun control is an issue considered to be evil. Another ethical issue that opponents' state is that owning a gun is an act of enlightenment.

In chapter 5 of Rachels (2019), the author claims that ethical egoism is a belief that each individual should seek their happiness. Ethical egoists also believe that altruism is a failure of one's duty to oneself. On the political front, Rand's views emerged as a powerful version of libertarianism that saw the government as an evil body, and it also viewed gun control as a sign of weaknesses. An ethical egoist will consider the issue of gun control crucial so that such people will take the opponent's side. Ethical egoists believe that individuals should pursue their happiness. Therefore, if it means owning guns, then ethical egoists are likely to accept the idea of owning guns. Ownership of firearms is considered as a process that fulfills people's happiness in different states.

Ethical egoists will claim that ownership of guns is among the approaches that allow individuals to achieve happiness. According to DeGrazia and Hunt (2016), opponents to gun control policies indicate that ownership of firearms is sometimes considered a right that is good in itself and that it is worthy of protecting the bearing of arms against tragedies and measures that can harm the American society. From the statement above, it is evident that ethical egoists will oppose the motion of gun control because it will act as a process that will hinder people from achieving happiness.

The issue of gun control has two sides concerning personal feelings and community loyalty. When discussing the issue of gun control, people are torn in between personal loyalty and community loyalty. When considering the effects of gun violence, individuals support policies directed towards reducing the use of guns illegally. On the other hand, when people consider the significance of ownership of firearms, such as the achievement of happiness, then conflicts arise. The best course of action is to deliberate on the importance of gun laws and analysis of how they impact society.

Social contract ethics involves the belief that individuals live together in society following agreements that develops moral and political rules of behavior. Social contract ethicists believe that people can live morally by their own choices and not because the divine requires it. Concerning the issue of gun control, social contract ethicists will accept the laws associated with gun control (Spitzer, 2017). The primary factor why social contract ethicists will recognize the issue of gun control is because they believe that individuals can control themselves from engaging in actions that can harm individuals in diverse ways. The fact that social contract ethicists will accept the issue is that such individuals believe that people are capable of living by their moral choices.

Social contract ethicists will also claim that people can live according to a social contract, a factor that enhances harmony. Therefore, social contract ethicists will support gun control policies since it helps in creating a stable society. The topic of gun control involves a collision of personal obligation and national ones (DeGrazia & Hunt, 2016). Gun control is a broad topic that requires the clash of private and domestic commitments. Individuals consider their own beliefs, and the effects of gun control nationally, a factor that creates a collision between the two factions. The best course of action is to regulate gun control regulations by involving the community and other stakeholders so that the clash between personal and national obligations will be avoided.

The issue of gun control is controversial in the current society because people take different sides. The issue needs to be addressed since gun violence has led to the death of many innocent lives. Analysis of the ethical issues in that topic is essential in making effective policies that will protect citizens in different nations.

References

DeGrazia, D., & Hunt, L. H. (2016). What is the issue of gun control about? Debating Gun Control, 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190251253.003.0001

Rachels, J. (2019). In The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). Mcgraw-Hill Education.

Spitzer, R. J. (2017). Policy definition and gun control. The Politics of Gun Control, 9-32. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203713037-2