A634.8.3.RB - Gun Control: What is the Answer?

In Chapter 12, LaFollette (2007) discusses gun control. In recent years, we have witnessed many tragedies with respect to guns in the workplace. Do citizens have a right to bear arms? Answer the question in your reflection blog. State your opinion and follow up your position with supporting documentation. Next, present the opposing side to your stance. Use external sources to enhance your claims.

In recent years, we have witnessed many tragedies with respect to guns in the workplace.  Regardless, civilians have the right to bears.  While this might not be a fundamental right, the right to bear arms is a derivative and constitutional right, according to LaFollette (2007).  Firearms are used for protection, hunting, collecting however there seems to be constant concern about civilians owning firearms and even more controversy over citizens carrying guns in the workplace. Are guns really that dangerous?  Are there really that many fatal workplace shootings?  Although any loss of life is tragic, the statistics for workplace disasters regarding guns highlight how the focus on gun control for private citizens may be skewed. 

According to a Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, by the U.S. Department of Labor (2019), there were 453 occupational shooting homicides in the United States in 2018.   Moreover, 351 of those were intentional shootings by other persons (U.S. Department of Labor, 2019).  That’s a mere 6% of total workplace fatal injuries in 2018 whereas almost 40% were caused by transportation incidents.  Consider this, our society requires one to study a handbook and take practice tests at the DMV, pass the learner’s permit test, log a certain number of hours with licensed driver, pass a driving (road) test, and drive with certain restrictions until the member reaches “maturity”.  Even with all this preemptive training and restrictions put in place, not to mention specific workplace training and guidelines, vehicular workplace fatalities are far surpassing those of fatal workplace shootings. 

Compared to the process of operating a vehicle, purchasing and using a handgun was simple in my experience.  One of the first times of shooting a firearm with at Air Force Basic Military Training.  There was a short classroom overview of the weapon before carrying, load and firing my issued M-16 firearm.  A few years later when I moved out of the base dormitory, I decided to buy a small handgun for personal safety.  I was extremely surprised at how fast and easy the process was; it took less than 1 hour from start to finish to choose and purchase a firearm.  With the amount of attention and controversy that surrounds gun control and workplace shootings, if we (our society) are seriously concerned, shouldn’t the process be more focused on preemptive training and restrictive controls? 

While the statistics prove that workplace shooting fatality numbers dim in comparison to vehicular fatalities, perhaps guns should be prohibited from civilian workplaces.   Businesses are required to maintain safe workplaces. If civilians are bringing firearms to work and creating an (potential) unsafe environment for others, they need to be restricted.  I am a female working in aircraft maintenance.  There are certain basic rules that I must follow in order to stay safe on the flight line.  For example, I must constantly keep my hair pulled back so as not to snag on equipment, I am prohibited from wearing jewelry to prevent from getting injured climbing stands/ladders, and I am prohibited from wearing a hat or wig on the flight line to reduce the possibility of it being sucked into a jet engine.  These restrictions do not mean I can never wear my hair down, jewelry or hats; I just cannot do these at my workplace due to safety concerns.  The same argument can be made for guns in any or most workplaces.  There could be a concern of accidental discharge or worse, someone losing their temper at work while having easy access to their weapon and using it.  Organizations must weigh the pros and cons of allowing firearms at work with the potential risks.  Therefore, guns should be prohibited from civilian workplaces.   

References: 

Lafollette, H. (2007). The practice of ethics. Malden, Mass: Blackwell. 

U.S. Department of Labor. (2019, December 17). TABLE A-2. Fatal occupational injuries resulting from transportation incidents and homicides, all United States, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2020, from https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cftb0323.htm