The Right to Bear and Health Care

The Second Amendment has stirred up much controversy, especially following the recent shooting in Tuscon, Arizona. In this article, Gail Collins expresses her opinion not only about gun control but also about how it relates to the also controversial Obamacare. She briefly describes the legislation that has since come about post the Tuscon incident, and states that the majority of pro-right-to-bear-arms officials are afraid that the "'overreaching federal government,' insurance companies would learn who has guns from the doctors and use the information to raise the owners’ rates." This is actually prevented by provisions in the health care bill which protects gun-owning citizens from being punished for owning a firearm. She states throughout the article that Obamacare is catching a lot of grief, and that "the gun lobby will never be happy, unless the health care law specifically requires every American to have a pistol on his or her person at all times". I couldn't agree more. It seems as though people who want fewer gun control regulations are unsatisfied no matter what steps are taken to please them. Her tone in this article is filled with sarcasm as she goes on to give examples of how many states have changed laws, hoping to assuage the excited gun-lobby individuals. Her article can be to any audience, pro gun-lobby or against, young or old. I believe that she was reaching out to both sides of the spectrum because she states her opinion very clearly, but she is not trying to persuade the audience that her side is correct. I agree with her position on the issue although I do not affiliate myself with a specific party. I do not understand the argument the NRA makes about how having guns in a situation is more likely to prevent violence. To me, that seems completely backwards; adding a weapon in a chaotic or stressful situation can ONLY heighten tension and can cause unnecessary harm. She writes, "Concealed Carry on Campus envisions a female student being saved from an armed assailant by a freshman with a concealed weapon permit. I see a well-intentioned kid with a pistol trying to intervene in a scary situation and accidentally shooting the victim", which summarizes the entire argument. I understand that there is evidence indicating that where gun control is limited, there is less crime. However, when a situation is void of guns, I'd like to think that the likelihood of a death occurring, accidental or intentional, is much lower.