Murder, robbery, assault and violence involving firearms are rampant in the province and in the country. Some civilians choose to take protection into their own hands by purchasing guns to protect themselves against evil doers. Is arming yourself an action worth the risk or a risk worth an action?

While it’s true that legally possessing a weapon can save your life, there are still situations where a gun that’s supposed to protect you and your loved ones can cause damage. The Star Phoenix reported in April 2016 that a 15 year-old Saskatoon boy was sentenced to a three-year maximum sentence for accidentally shooting his friend while “fooling around” with a gun in September 2015.

This shows that safety is not assured by owning legal weapons, because — whether they are legal or not — they are still deadly and sometimes just increase the risk of danger for your family and the people outside your home.

Deadly weapons aren’t always the best choice in defending oneself, especially if you don’t have enough knowledge of using them. In addition, guns don’t have instinct. Death is what comes out of its barrel and it’s directed to whoever it is aimed at — whether you accidentally shot one of your family members or the bad guy you were aiming at.

The possession of firearms also contradicts the issue of humanity in instances where one happens to kill the assailant. The weapon that you’re using as a means of preventing death can cause death with just a pull of a trigger.

In February 2016, police in Hamilton, Ont. charged a homeowner with second-degree murder after he shot and killed a trespasser who was attempting to steal his truck. This news is proof that firearm possession that is meant to defend oneself can lead to unwanted violence.

Owning a gun might be a considerable advantage for anyone wanting to keep themselves safe, because aside from being relatively cheap and easy to possess legally, guns are also easy to maintain and very handy.

However, violence against violence is not a good way to ensure your safety or anyone else’s. Protection must come first from awareness and being always on alert. Despite having guns, your life is still in danger if you’re caught off guard by the assailant.

The police are always on standby to aid you in terms of your safety. Take note of the police stations closest to your home and around the city.

For the safety of your home, install security alarms and surveillance cameras. If you can’t afford cameras, avoid living in areas where crime is rampant. If you’re alone, always be vigilant of your surroundings and try not to wander off to places where there are no people as your chances of being attacked are higher compared to when you’re in a crowded area.

If you ever stumble upon an assailant, fighting back makes the stakes higher compared to being calm and submitting to the demands of the assailant. If the assailant’s intention is more than to rob you of your belongings, wait for an opportunity to restrain and disarm the attacker.

Despite the presence of laws and legislations against the illegal and irresponsible use of deadly firearms, violent crimes are still rampant. Despite what you may think, the legal possession of firearms is not the best solution to decrease heinous crimes, as criminals are more likely to be aggressive if you pose the visible threat that you will compromise them.

—

Ian Joemar T. Guion

Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor