One of the most interesting groups that I belong to is an on-line collection of Crime-Writers who gather on something called “CrimeSpace”. The group was developed by a man by the name of Daniel Hatadi, whom I consider to be nothing short of brilliant. Here, writers from all over the world get together virtually to discuss everything from ‘plotting’ to ‘character development’ to ‘manuscript marketing’.

Recently a question was raised on the group’s Forum that sparked a great deal of discussion. The “conversation” took a number of turns, and at one point it became a friendly debate on the issue of ‘gun-control’.

Having been around for awhile, and crediting myself with what I believe is an open mind, I’ve heard many arguments both for and against the control of handguns in North America. I don’t think that my own “pro-control” opinion springs solely from the fact that I am Canadian. After all, I was raised in a military family, and my father did hunt for meat to feed us when I was growing up.

The bloom of youth and naivety has long since left me, and I realise that there are few topics that present only one correct point of view. The world is not painted in black and white alone, but is drenched in every colour of the rainbow, including an endless range of grey.

Just the same, when it comes to this particular topic a peek at the facts can help one to form an opinion. For decades now, experts have been conducting studies into violent crime within developed nations. It has become glaringly obvious that if the objective of a civilised society is to allow its people to live in peace and free from fear, then gun controls are absolutely necessary.

I am not anti-American. My ex-husband, a gentle man, was born in Louisiana. Despite his non-violent nature he believed, as do many Americans, that an armed population is a free population, and that only by remaining armed can a population expect to remain free.

Of all the arguments against gun control, this one is the most compelling. In my opinion, it is the only one of merit. However, this attitude was formulated within the American civil population at a time when it was warranted – when New England had newly thrown off the yoke of British rule, and when the West was a wild and unruly place, best governed by the business end of a Colt.

History is history. The world we live in today is not the world we first took by force hundreds of years ago. The “Annie, Get Your Gun” mentality no longer has a place on the streets of our modern cities.

Also, when we discuss gun-control, it is not the rifle used by the hunter or the gun used by our police force that we are targeting

No, it is specifically “handguns”, the weaponry of the masses, which inspires the most heated debated.

After all, what is the purpose of a handgun? It can’t be used for hunting the way my father used his rifle when times were hard for us. It can’t be used by our armed forces to defend our nation from tyranny.

A handgun has only one purpose – to offer one citizen a physical advantage over another. Whether that citizen is a criminal or a civilian, the objective is the same. The handgun, by its very nature, says “I can force you to comply. I can remove your sense of freedom.” Or, more simply, “I can kill you.”

But that, of course, is rhetoric. Back to the facts…

Studies have shown that in nations who impose strict laws to control the possession of handguns, the incidence of violent crime is much lower per capita. This is especially true when we measure the incidence of crimes resulting in death.

In the course of my business I often speak with people south of the 49th. These are educated business people, who want only to raise their families and take the occasional vacation free from worry. In short, they are much like me.

I will never forget a conversation I had a couple of years back with an “American cousin”. He was appalled to learn that I live and work in a major North American city and yet do not own a single firearm.

“Aren’t you afraid?” he asked. “What if you are attacked on the way to work? At the office? In your home or car?” Then he proceeded to inform me that he personally owned three handguns – one he kept in his home, one in his car, and one in his desk drawer at the office.

He was prepared to confront nearly any eventuality. I wonder how he would deal with an attack by aliens? Hmmm – maybe he never thought of that. Hope he doesn’t read this and add to his already heavy burden of worries!

In North America a large portion of our population seems to be living in constant fear. That anxiety is not being alleviated by the market saturation of handguns. Of course, it can be argued that the swollen “bottom line” of companies who manufacture and sell guns goes a long way toward reducing anxiety among their Boards of Directors.

Personally, I feel confident walking in the streets of my city knowing “only the criminals are carrying guns”. After all, they are a relatively small and, I hope, manageable part of the population.

It’s the rest of the nut-cases out there, the one who pass for “normal”, that scare the bee-jeepers out of me!

Donna Carrick -- July 25, 2009
Donna's Books are available through Amazon.ca and Amazon.com

For a darkly humourous look at this issue, visit Alex Carrick.com.