Illegal Gun Possession as Victimless Crime

Victimless Crime: Illegal Gun Possession

The categorization of crimes as victimless crimes has been present throughout the history of the legal systems and as times change, there are more crimes that come into being and are categorized as victimless crimes for instance the misuse of the internet among others. The victimless crimes are those crimes that do not have a direct or apparent target or victim and there is no direct pain inflicted or injury sustained in the crime. In most instances, the victimless crimes have been viewed as acts of consent between adults like sodomy, prostitution, gaming among others where there are no complainants and no harm is sustained in the process of such activities (Ward D.S., 2003).

Illegal purchase and possession as well as carrying of firearms are not usually listed as victimless crimes though technically they can be said to be victimless crimes in most states. When an individual purchases a gun it could be meant for recreation purposes and not intended to be used on anyone. It could be same as buying a motorbike for recreation purposes and not intended to be used for criminal intents. The c carrying of the firearms could also be for the sole purpose of accessing the recreation venue and not to scare anyone, it may not be concealed for the purpose of accessing a place and carrying out a mass shooting. In the process of transporting it to the shooting range, there is no target person and no injury is caused hence there is no victim in the purchase as well as the carrying of the firearm. These are crimes that should be categorized as victimless crimes since there are neither direct victims nor physical injuries caused in the process.