Why do people carry Weapons?

Reynaldo L. Bautista

ENG/147

February 19, 2015
Kathy Kraus

Why do people carry Weapons?

Have you ever wondered why humans carry and use weapons? Since Homo sapiens became earth's dominant species, they have built a variety of tools. One of those tools are weapons, which in modern times have evolved to a gun. Guns are today's tool of choice for independent people who choose to own a gun and use it responsibly, if necessary, in the world. Typically, in the United States people carry weapons for two reasons; self-defense and as a constitutional right to bear arms. In addition to these reasons, through new research, many scientists claim, that gun ownership may be linked to a genetic factor. The United States Supreme Court has ruled several times that police officers do not have a legal responsibility to safeguard citizens from violent crime (Greenhouse, 2005). The Supreme Court ruling only recognizes an individual's right to self preservation. This ruling is a factor influencing more states to permit their citizens to carry their weapons visible or concealed for self defense. While opponents of carrying guns argue that citizens are safer without weapons there are many who disagree. According to Smith (2001), "a 2001 study by the National Opinion Research Center, 59% of people who carry a gun outside the home do so because it makes them feel safer.” (Gun Carry Behaviors and Characteristics). Adversaries of legally carrying a [concealed] weapon contend that more guns in the hands of citizens will increase gun crime (Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 2011). However, carrying weapons has been known to save human lives for thousands of years. In fact, if people killed more life than they preserved life, Homo sapiens would not be the dominant species on Earth. Self preservation is a part of human nature, and subsequently many people feel it is their human and constitutional right to carry a weapon for self defense and to protect their way of life. La Valle and Glover (2012) in article "Right To Carry" claim that perceptions in various state laws about carrying a gun fall under two current trends in the United States and are explained by the phrases, "may issue" and "shall issue". The "may issue" states allows the issuing authority to approve or decline permits for any reason, real or perceived. For example, the State of California and their law enforcement agencies have sole discretion whom may receive a license and may deny a permit without cause. California's ruling restricts responsible citizens the right to arm themselves against criminals. The “shall issue” states denies permits based on impartial facts, e.g. underage. A good example of this is The State of Arizona that may deny a license if the individual is under twenty one years of age. Arizona’s ruling supports a citizen’s right to carry openly or concealed which strongly supports the second amendment of the United States Constitution. A 25 year model, between 1980 and 2005, shows an increase from fourteen states to forty states that allow a right to carry (La Valle & Glover, 2012). As of 2013 all fifty states allow some form of legally carrying a [concealed} weapon. This analyzed increase confirms that citizens are fearful of traveling or staying at home unarmed. "There are two important conclusions to be drawn from the present study, one methodological and the other substantive. The substantive conclusion to be learned from the present study is that "may issue" Right To Carry laws robustly and consistently reduce homicide rates by roughly twenty percent to thirty percent, whereas "shall issue" laws may conversely increase these same outcomes by a similar margin," (La Valle & Glover, 2012, p. 597). These documented national statistical claims can be argued for or against gun carry. However, the majority of Americans support carrying [open or concealed] weapons. Perhaps, further analysis is required to understand the underlying question of why we bear arms. Recent scientific breakthroughs have discovered there is a genetic trait linking people with weapons. Barnes, Beaver, and Boutwell (2013) reported a human gene has been found to interact with fear or traumatic events, and this discovery provides a new perspective about why people carry guns. Traumatic events can vary from being a witness, a victim, or interfacing with other persons at the scene of the event. "A positive interaction assuming a positive main effect of genotype on gun carrying would suggest individuals with a particular genotype were more likely to carry a handgun after 9/11 as compared to before 9/11." (Barnes, Beaver, & Boutwell, 2013, p. 2). This exciting claim explains why many passive people transformed into citizens with a different perspective of protecting themselves, loved ones and country. This transformation reverberated worldwide. Consequently, people behave in a manner that is different from their usual daily routine. For example, behavioral acts for self preservation can include not traveling, avoiding personal contact and purchasing a weapon. For many Americans buying a gun or weapon was a human reaction of self preservation to an act of violence to them and their country. Many people believe more weapons on the streets may relate to more violent resolutions. United States citizens fear victimization and, therefore, exercise their constitutional right to carry firearms whether concealed or open carry. Since the New York 9/11 attack, studies have shown there is also a genetic link between people and traumatic events that have caused an increase in firearm purchases. As a world leader, the United States' future will most likely be involved in traumatic incidents, like war and civil unrest, which in turn will trigger the genetic link of self preservation in citizens.

References
Barnes, J.C., Beaver, K.M., & Boutwell, B.B. (2013, August). A Functional Polymorphism in a Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) Interacts with 9/11 to Predict Gun-Carrying Behavior: e70807. PLOS ONE, 8(8), doi:http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0070807
Greenhouse, L. (2005, June 28). Justices Rule Police Do Not Have a Constitutional Duty to Protect Someone. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com
La Valle, J.M., & Glover, T.C. (2012, December). Revisiting Licensed Handgun Carrying: Personal Protection or Interpersonal Liability? American Journal of Criminal Justice, 37(4), 580-601. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/10.1007/s12103-011-9140-4
Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. (2011). Smart Gun Laws. Retrieved from http://smartgunlaws.org