Tables Turning in Gun Control Legislation in Georgia Communities

Tables Turning in Gun Control Legislation in Georgia Communities

Gun control legislation has been a highly controversial debate for decades. In the wake of recent tragedies in the U.S., such as the mass shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, Congress is reconsidering our gun control laws and what effect they have on violence in our country. On January 16, 2013 President Obama signed 23 Executive Orders and proposed new legislation to restrict the availability of certain weapons and ammunition, and enforce stricter gun laws.("The Next Gun Fight") This is typical of most proposals seen in past years debates over gun control. More often, the debate is whether or not to restrict access to guns to prohibit violence rather than promote gun ownership as means of protection.("Gun Control After Heller and McDonald")

There are exceptions though. In Kennesaw, Georgia on March 25, 1982 the city council unanimously passed a law requiring heads of households to own at least one firearm with ammunition. ("Georgia Town Not Alone in Using Gun Law as Deterrent") Since then, and even in light of Obama's current proposal, a second community, Nelson, Georgia followed through with the Family Protection Ordinance in April of this year; requiring that all citizens considered head of household aquire a firearm and ammunition to "provide for the emergency management of the city" and to "provide for and protect the safety, security, and general welfare of the city and it's inhabitants." ("Nelson,Georgia Family Protection Ordinance Approved") This is causing quite a stir among local anti-gun advocates. Their claim is that mandating gun ownership will only promote more violence in our communities. After careful research of statistical analysis of recent gun activity and consideration of similar ordinances, it is clear that mandatory gun ownership is an effective measure in reducing crime in our communities and should be made a state-wide ordinance to protect our citizens.

The passing of such legislation has already proven to be successful in eliminating crime in Georgia. According to an article written in the USA Today, Kennesaw, Georgia's crime rate dropped by 89% soon after their mandatory gun laws were enacted. Police Chief, Heath Mitchell, claims "it's a deterrent". ("Georgia Town Not Alone in Using Gun Law as Deterrent") Crime is not being reduced because of the use of the mandatory guns but, because it's simply a known fact that the community is armed.

It is not gun-owning, law abiding citizens that we should be worried