Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Do guns kill or do people kill people?
Position‹2 of 2

People kill people

This position holds that people, not guns, kill people. It argues that a gun is an inanimate object, dangerous only in dangerous hands — that those who would kill will find a way regardless — locating responsibility in the person pulling the trigger rather than the weapon.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. Mentally ill people kill people
    About 1 in 5 adults suffers from a mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The focus needs to shift away from banning guns, and into pouring resources and funds into mental health initiatives and programs. This will effectively stop gun violence.
  2. Guns are inanimate objects
    A gun is an inanimate object. It does not turn from a tool into a weapon without a person. It does not have the potential to kill unless picked up by a human being. It can not do harm until a finger pushes the trigger.
  3. Elected officials are responsible for deaths
    At what point do the elected officials who have the power to stop gun violence become to blame? How many deaths at the hands of gun violence will it take for lawmakers to make laws that stop people from killing other people?
  4. Take away guns and people will still kill people