Fear and Gun Control ~ a perception?

Fear & Gun Control

 

There are perhaps more crucial reasons why crime and fear has so much in common. After all, criminal events even at their most basic and fundamental levels can be frightening to many. They are in fact, a reminder that the world is not a safe place and that danger can strike at any time or anywhere with life ending at a moment’s notice at the hand of a criminal.

Dealing with fear and crime is at the root of a basic humanistic conflict. The danger of being killed or harmed outweighs the ability to be safe in a proper social order that is in compliance with society’s rules of law. Hence the absence of law creates an anarchist situation where the need of self-preservation and survival falls on the human who feels they are in imminent danger.

Based on the rate of crime whether determined by demographics or statistical data gathered by the government, there is a need for protection; a protection that the police cannot provide under all reasonable conditions when a crime is committed. Controlling crimes takes a strategy by the police but is flawed by not having sufficient resources available to prevent all crimes. Thus by de facto thinking, the citizens feels the need to arm themselves with guns or other defensive weapons.

Judging from the attention by criminalists it seems that it is logical and rational to think that fear is a reasonable reaction to the consequences of becoming a victim of a crime. This has been documented over and over in history as the violence and the social situations have changed relatively little in rate thus making it open for serious personal consequences of victimization. The most egregious fear of mankind is the fear of crime.

Fear must not be belittled. Although the fear of crime is more prevalent that actual victimization the reaction to fear is to take precautionary measures to sufficiently defend themselves at home, on the road or in the workplace. First we must believe that fear is real. It carries with it various emotional mindsets, attitudes or perceptions.

Perceptions that focus on the mistrust of others, anxiety, perceived risk, fear of strangers and concern about high crime neighborhoods or public places. This is all based on the fact that many of us believe that our country has been declining in national morality that impacts us directly or indirectly that divides fear into other emotions as well such as sadness, anger, despair or giving up on our human race.  It is reasonable to believe that owning a firearm, whether a handgun, rifle or shotgun is a viable option to counter or relax these fears of criminal behaviors in our community. It is also reasonable to expect to defend oneself in place until a call to 911 is made and the delayed arrival of the police could be too late for your self, family or friends to survive the crime committed.