Gun Control in the United States: A necessary Amendment to Policy
It is impossible to fully stop and prevent tragedies related to gun use or misuse. In the United States, it has been a series of tragedies in recent times that have left everyone perplex to the level of violence. Since the times of the protests in the 1960’s, to the Columbine massacre of 1999, to the very recent massacre at a rural Texas church. This recent incident, several others in past few years, has spark the debate over gun control in the United States. More and more are calling for a complete ban for assault type of weapons, that to include fully automatic and semi –automatic weapons with military attachments and features. In the light of the recent surge of incident
…show more content…
When anger is combined with ready access to high-damage coefficient weapons, the concern is that the expression of that anger could be fatal”(Boylan).
During the 2008 case of The District of Columbia vs. Heller, the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government has the right to establish restrictions on the commercial sale of firearms and supports on the prohibition of carrying dangerous and unusual weapons. Demonstrating that “Infringement” is not a statement exempt from federal or state government ability to regulate firearms. Assault rifle class weapons present a challenge to both sides when defining the type of weapon the best fits the requirements for self-protection or sport, two requirements that assault weapons do not fulfill. Automatic weapons, such as machine guns, were heavily regulated after The National Firearms Act of 1934. Every transfer between citizens is registered and recorded by the A.T.F., which also has the ability to deny a license for possession of a machine gun (Rose and Riley). As unbelievable as it sounds, many weapons both dangerous and unusual, are legal and available for purchase in the United States, to include a variant of assault weapons. When in office, President Clinton lobbied for the passing of an assault weapons ban, which passed under the Democrat-controlled House and Senate, similar to the regulations of the machine gun ban of 1934. However, the legislation expired in
One of the most important legislation part for control violence in today's society are certainly the laws related to gun control. As with every important question, there are two opposite opinions on whether in Wisconsin we should have about gun control. My opinion is that we should have more gun control in Wisconsin. My point of view is based on the ability to better protect women from domestic abuse; the threat of people who already passed background check, and the necessity to reduce mass shooting in Wisconsin.
A shooting here; a shooting there; an every day occurrence heard in the newspapers and on the news channels on television. New media are reporting a shooting somewhere. Whether the shootings are accidental or intentional; they are happening across the United States. Nevertheless, in today’s society, gun violence is sparking debate and controversy on how to control gun violence. Throughout the country, thousands of laws and regulations have been created to aid in the control of guns. Through much study, the gun laws and regulations in place have very little effect on the number of gun related injuries and deaths. More needs to be done to establish an effective way to control gun violence.
The United States contains 5% of the world’s population. However, our nation covers 35-50% of the world’s civilian-owned guns, is ranked first for firearms per capita, and holds the highest homicide rate among all other nations of wealth and democracy at 88.5% (Masters). Such high rates and loose restrictions are bound to lead to tragedy. We will not sit here and make excuses, we will not allow power in the hands of insanity, and we will not allow the safety of our children to be hindered. After each tragedy that has struck, we have failed to successfully improve gun control. As of now, we hold no federal law banning semi-automatic assault weapons, just like the weapons used in the Las Vegas massacre, resulting in
July 20th, 2012, twelve are killed and fifty-eight are injured at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado. The man who killed them used a semi-automatic rifle with a one hundred round magazine. An automatic weapon has no use in the United States because all sporting events, and activities with guns can be accomplished without automatic weapons. It is important because it limits the possibilities of events like the shooting at the Sandusky school in Ohio. Some would say they are a good for shooting range activity and most people don’t commit crimes with them, getting rid of automatic weapons would get rid of the crimes committed with them overall. People die because of the actions taken with with assault rifles. Automatic weapons should be banned in the US because they are not needed for self defense, and they have almost no use in recreational activities.
In the 21st century, raging riots are common in the United States of America. In fact, the diversity of opinions often leads to dissension and discord, and with these unstable circumstances, crimes of passion can occur quite frequently. Specifically, terrorists, murderers, bombers, and other mentally incompetent people remain discreet predators among the innocent. However, many would argue that guns, especially the rise of automatic weapons, have only led to the increase of such violence. Concisely, guns, whether hand guns, rifles, or shotguns, have led to a multitude of problems for both those that wield them and those that fear them because of the dangerous situations that can result.
Gun control has been a long debate to determine if it’s better to have stricter access to firearms. America is one of the few countries that has gun rights embedded in their constitution. But what makes the US exceptional is that it has the right to keep and bear arms, other countries do not provide the right to have access to them, but rather, the government is allowed to regulate its use. The right to bear arms has also been the cause of growing violence and crime, at least according to anti-gun lobbyists. Citizens should be aware the dangers and harm that guns present to society. Controlling the sale of firearms can greatly decrease the number of violent crimes.
The rise in cases of gun violence and related incidences of assault has drawn the public to the issue of guns and gun control. Such has been evident within the spheres of politics especially with the last election period seeing the incumbent president Donald Trump suggesting on stringent gun control laws. However, despite the acknowledgment of the need to have better gun laws, much ground and consensus has never reached. Such, to an extent, contributed to the current lack of political goodwill within the country to have the necessary legislations enacted to facilitate the same on the controls (Grandy 23). Of the guns under question are the assault rifles. Like the military weapons, assault rifles have a destructive potential to causing
Heller, the court ruled that “the Second Amendment protects a pre-existing individual right to keep and bear arms…including, ‘the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation’” (National Rifle Association, 2011 par 4). Although the Constitution gives individuals the right to bear arms, it does not exclude “prohibitions on the possession of firearms by felons and the mentally ill, or laws forbidding the carrying of firearms in sensitive places…or laws imposing conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of firearms,” (Romano & Wingert, 2011 par 13). In recent years here has been much discussion among the nation’s lawmakers and their constituents as to whether or not the Second Amendment is still constitutional; the question is whether or not the Second Amendment should be revised, to prohibit the sale of firearms to those who do not meet certain conditions and qualifications, or even removed from the constitution. According to a national survey of 1,005 high school students, conducted by Vittes, Sorrenson and Gilbert, “63.7 percent of high school students believe that regulating the sale of guns does not violate the constitution” (2003, pg 12). In the same survey, 64.6 percent responded that they would support stricter laws addressing the sale of firearms, and 82.2 percent of those surveyed, believe that the government should make and enforce laws making it more difficult for
Nevertheless, just as guns were common in Colonial America, so were its limitations. For example, Native Americans, as well as Slaves, were banned by law to acquire and possess guns. However, it was not until 1934 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt was urged by increasing mafia related incidents, to pass the first Federal Law to control machine gun sales, in the National Firearms Act of 1934. (History of Gun Control Legislation)
It is impossible not to open a newspaper, watch the television, or listen to the radio with out hearing about some type of gun violence. Perhaps the main reason for such high gun violence is that guns are so plentiful in the Unites States. In fact, there are sixty five million handguns in America ("The `facts' about Guns"). These guns contribute to an annual medical cost of fourteen billion dollars, which is spent solely on treating gun victims ("Handguns in America"). Not surprisingly, handguns are the cause of eighty percent of homicides, seventy percent of suicides, and almost every accidental shooting ("Youth and Violence"). Handgun violence is a problem that is easy for everyone to see. How to solve this predicament is another
The United States of America is a nation of massacres by military-type assault weapons. Aware of the deadliness of these weapons and due to public safety concerns clearly outweighing the benefits of personal ownership of military-type assault weapons, the United States passed the 1994 Federal Ban on military-type assault weapons. This ban was notably effective during the 10 years it was in effect. However, the Ban automatically expired in 2004. Since that time, the number of U. S. mass murders has markedly increased. Attempts to reinstate the Ban, most recently the stricter 2013 Ban, have all failed. Nevertheless, the less restrictive 1994 Ban did pass the Senate and House of Representatives at one point and was successful. Therefore, the 1994 Federal Ban on military-type assault weapons should be reinstated.
Former Governor of New York Eliot Spitzer once said "Yes, people pull the trigger - but guns are the instrument of death. Gun control is necessary, and delay means more death and horror". Spitzer’s words makes one think: should we fear the person behind the gun or the gun itself? The majority of violent crimes that happen in America are not only caused by a criminal, but also the weapon in which the criminal is holding. America’s gun violence problem stems from the increasing accessibility of firearms. Many of the mass shootings in America could have been prevented if access to semi-automatic and automatic weapons were completely banned. Gun violence is an arising issue, and a change needs to be made concerning the gun laws in the U.S. Stricter gun control laws is necessary to prevent high accessibility to firearms and mass shootings, also research shows that Australia’s strict gun control laws are proven to be more efficient in preventing gun violence.
At least 84 people have been killed and 119 have been injured so far this year in 86 shooting incidents involving assault-style rifles, according to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive, a not-for-profit corporation that tracks gun violence. The reason for the shootings can happen for numerous reasons such as terror or criminal acts. Regardless, this is happening because these delinquents have an easy access to assault weapons. Consequently, assault weapons should be banned and made illegal in the United States, unless used by governmental armed forces. Assault weapons are dangerous, impractical, and when not properly operated can misfire and kill innocent bystanders.
In this day in age, dozens of technological advances on everyday items have made our life seem much easier, ranging from the increased sophistication and complexity of our cellphones and even our automobiles. Without a doubt, such innovations cause our days seem tranquil, safe, and trouble-free. However, as time progressed, harmful and dangerous items, as well, have become more efficient in accomplishing their predetermined function. One such item is a firearm. Centuries ago, in the times of political revolutions, colonization, and imperialism, guns were used to exert power over a weaker group. Unlike like today, guns of that time were rudimentary compared to modern guns. Past guns could only shoot one bullet at a time, and then the shooter was forced to reload. Fast forward to 2014, people have access to armaments that can fire hundreds of rounds in mere seconds. Such advancements on the fire rate and overall efficiency of these weapons have become a problem throughout nations around the globe. In the United States, in particular, guns are misused. Gangs shooting at rival gangs that result in the death of civilians, random mass shootings in movie theaters and schools, or even sociopaths who use a gun to kill their defenseless loved ones are several examples. These forms of gun violence, and many other forms, must be put to an end. Some may argue that to end gun violence, the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights from the U.S constitution ought to be repealed. Perhaps at
Since 2000, there have been a registered 31 mass shootings in the United States resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of innocent American lives. Many of these shootings have been accomplished through the use of semiautomatic weapons and modifications that turn normal guns into rapid-firing killing machines. The use and ownership of semi automatic weapons and modifications in the United States should be banned because they contribute to mass shootings and do not end up in the hands of responsible citizens.