Then how do you explain the fact away that shows without a doubt, that states with less gun laws (and some that actually encourage gun ownership) have lower crime rates? There are no constricting gun laws here in Vermont and we have one of the lowest crime rates in the country. Likewise, Kennesaw, Georgia actually requires gun ownership in households and they have a proven track record of very low crime rates. On the other hand, places like Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C. have the most stringent gun laws yet have the highest crime and murder rates in our country.

Violent criminals and repeat offenders do not obey the law and will always be able to get their hands on guns. Until existing laws are enforced and criminals prosecuted to the fullest extent, there will never be a cure for the violence in America. Furthermore, if law-abiding citizens are prevented from owning/possessing/carrying guns, then we will all fall victim to these criminal elements.

Before throwing a blanket over all handguns with your statement that they only promote violence, consider this. How would you propose that your daughter/sister/mother protect herself when out at a meeting, or school, or work late at night and is faced with an attacker meaning to do her harm? Would you still feel the same about handguns for self-defense when you have to visit her in the hospital, or worse yet, the morgue?