Defense from criminals and danger is always the most important thing to all people. The increase in crime across the world has necessitated gun ownership for safety across the world. Many people are applying for personal guns to protect themselves from criminals. However, gun ownership has come under scrutiny. There have been suggestions that licensed gun owners may use their guns inappropriately. Children and other family members may also get access to the guns and use them wrongly. This has led to the gun-control act that tries to restrict gun ownership. This law is, in effect, in many parts of the world. Even with the gun-control policy, gun ownership is still faced with many controversies and challenges. The Gun-control policy has significant importance on the safety of people and ensuring that guns licensed are not used wrongly and addressing the challenges and controversies facing this policy will be imperative in meeting the objective of the safety of individuals, societies, and communities.

The Gun Control

Gun control is policies and laws that are designed to restrict gun ownership in a given jurisdiction. Most countries are concerned about the safety of the people. They license individuals to carry guns. Those licensed are supposed to use their guns for defense only. However, there are cases where the owners get the false alarms and use their guns out of panic. At the same time, there are some people who feel they are secure enough and threaten other people using the gun they obtained (Hemenway 1). Some licensed gun holders may also use their guns inappropriately and for criminal purposes. This has made it a challenge for the gun-control policies and lawmakers. They do not know who to trust and who not to trust.

The Current Policies, Regulations

Any person in any country across the world has right to a licensed gun. However, there are regulations that come with this. First, the applicant has to prove that they have never been involved in any criminal activities. Most governments have departments that are responsible for checking the history of a person. Once the applicant is cleared, they should be issued with a certificate to show that they have never been involved in criminal activities. Secondly, the applicant has to undergo a mental assessment and evaluation. Policymakers usually worry that a mentally ill person owning a gun can be disastrous to society and have to ensure that applicants are sane. The third process involves providing reasons as to why the applicant would like to own a gun. In most countries, the applicant has to go to the nearest police station for an interview. Once they provide all the reasons why they would like to own a gun, a police board evaluates the application. It is discussed by that board and the decision made. It is important to note that the police have the right to disregard an applicant’s application without providing any reasons. If the police decide that the application is successful, the applicant has to prove that they know how to handle and use guns. If they do not know how to use it, they have to enroll in a class on the same. The class mayday a few days after which the applicant is provided with the gun and the permit. The newly licensed gun holder has to go through the requirements and conditions for using the gun (The New York Police Department 1).