This is a complex issue. It's very difficult to determine what is best for everyone when it comes to gun control, but I'll tell you some of my opinions on the matter. Whether or not they are still pertinent today, I'll leave that up to you.
For one, I believe that if there were laws banning guns for citizens, only criminals would have guns. Why? Because criminals don't follow laws. If criminals know that nobody has a gun under their coat, they are much more likely to commit crimes, simply because they're the only ones with weapons---so who's to stop them? But, if everyone had guns, criminals are more cautious of the crimes they commit, and might even stop themselves from committing these crimes, because who's to say whether the dozens of people around them are armed or not? For all they know, everybody could have a gun, ready to fire when a wrongdoing is committed. Rob a bank, and there's the possibility that 20 pistols would be raised immediately to the one man trying to rob it. Simply put, if everybody had a gun, criminals would be more fearful, and certain crimes might not be worth committing anymore.
Another thing that needs to be understood is that in order for this to work, people need to know not only gun safety, but how and when to use their guns, and when it would be appropriate to take it out and point it at someone. Restraint is key here. A man with an incredibly short temper might unleash his gun when such force should not be used. If gun safety and proper use is taught correctly at a young age, those taught will then grow up with that moral code as a central force for how they think. For those who still decide to use their weapons carelessly, they should be punished by laws appropriately.
When it comes to specifics, I'm at a loss. I'm not an expert on guns, only on common sense. If there are loopholes or problems with my theories, let me know, for this is the only way to improve them. These are just my ideas, and what I believe. What is truly best for us? Well, who truly knows?
