The mass shooting in Roseburg, Ore. has reignited debate over gun control and gun rights in the United States. Below are a series of questions drawn from what people have been searching for on Google since the shooting – and an attempt to answer them. What is gun control? “Gun control” is a broad term that covers any sort of restriction on what kinds of firearms can be sold and bought, who can possess or sell them, where and how they can be stored or carried, what duties a seller has to vet a buyer, and what obligations both the buyer and the seller have to report transactions to the government. Sometimes, the term is also used to cover related matters, like limits on types of ammunition and magazines, or technology, like the type that …show more content…
Many mass shootings have been carried out by people who were recognized by those around them as being deeply disturbed, yet were able to own guns legally. From 1994 to 2004, federal law also banned the sale of many types of assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, but the law expired and has not been renewed. A few states have assault weapon bans of their own that remain in place. In fact, most gun controls exist at the state level, with New York, California, New Jersey, Maryland, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Illinois and Massachusetts being the most restrictive. Some states have more stringent background check systems than the federal one, for example, and some require checks before private sales like those at gun shows. Some states require a license or permit to own a gun, but most do not. Laws on carrying weapons vary enormously. Most states allow anyone who legally owns a gun to carry it openly, in public, without requiring a license or permit. A few states also have no permit requirement to carry a concealed gun. Concealed carry requires a permit in most states, but the majority of those states grant the permits automatically to any legal gun owners who want them. States also vary in their rules on gun possession in specific settings, like campuses and houses of worship. For example, in Rhode Island, any person with a concealed carry permit can bring a gun onto the
Each state gets to determine if they will allow concealed weapons. If the state does permit concealed carry then people have to go through a long process before they can receive their concealed weapons permit. A person must first fill out the application, then "State police post the names to a private website for local law enforcement agencies to review and object to if police feel there
Although the 2nd amendment says “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed (Jefferson Admendment 2)”. Gun control laws aim to restrict or regulate the sale, purchase, or possession of firearms through licensing, registration, or identification requirements.
With having many different keywords and phrases in our society this can also show how each state takes the second amendment into their own hands. The states I found had the most interesting gun laws are New York, New Mexico, and Texas. These three states have very different gun laws. New York residents do not have to have a permit to purchase any rifles or shotguns but handguns do need a permit. The permit application has great depth when applying. “The applicant must have good moral character, at least 21 years of age, clean criminal record, and no history or evidence of mental illness or addiction to drugs and or alcohol. Although these are the laws in New York, the urban areas in New York are allowed to adopt their own policies and laws if their population exceeds 100,000 people (Laws 3).” New Mexico has very weak gun laws with very few regulations on concealed weapons. There is no permit required to purchase rifles, shotguns, handguns, or pistols. The residents of New Mexico are not required to have registration on rifles, shotguns, handguns, or pistols. The residents do not have to have a license. There are no permits required under the concealed carry law to carry a rifle or shotgun. On the other hand, concealed handguns or pistols must have a permit to carry. The resident must be
The reason why our nation is allowed to bear a large quantity of firearms is due to the Second Amendment of our constitution, which specifically states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." (U.S. Const. am. 2) Because of how vague this amendment is when it comes to law interpretation, it is often used by gun advocates to argue for lenient gun laws. Even though the Second Amendment prevents the federal government from completely banning guns in America, there are still restrictions on the distribution and possession of firearms. Each of the states have their own specific gun laws but generally, a person must obtain a license or permit to purchase or possess a firearm. Also, another thing to note is that all states allow some form of concealed carry, which is carrying a concealed firearm in public. Despite the laws that allow the bearing and distribution of guns, society has multiple viewpoints concerning the usage and appropriateness of the freedom of having the "right to bear arms."
First, just because your state does allow open carry per the constitution does not mean that those that cannot legally own a firearm can carry one openly or otherwise.
There are not any laws that can take away your right to openly carry your firearm in any place that exists on a federal or state level. But there are ways in that a state can use the prohibition of firearms. In fact there are already laws in states that prevent the open carry of firearms in public places. Laws surrounding open carry are in California
Gun control has long been a controversial topic in the United States. In 1791 the Second Amendment was ratified in the Constitution (Shallope, 1982). Since its ratification, the amendment has been interpreted two different ways depending on the acceptance or opposition to the issue (Shallope, 1982). Those opposing lax gun laws interpret the Second Amendment as only applying to the prohibition of the federal government interfering with state militia; it does not apply to individual citizens (Shallope, 1982). Laws concerning individual citizens rights to purchase, own, and carry a gun vary from state to state. Even though license requirements still differ across states, as of the year 2013, when Illinois became the last state to permit the carrying of a concealed handgun in public, the act of concealed carry is now legal in all 50 states (ProCon, 2017). In particular, laws concerning the possession of guns on college campuses fluctuate from state to state and even throughout individual institutions (LaPoint, 2010). Currently, 18 states have issued
Right now, twenty six state allow you to carry a firearm of any type without a permit for them. You can walk anywhere at anytime with any type of firearm in your own pocket without knowing how to shoot it at all. People nowadays get to carry a firearm and a permit with it because of this amendment and because of the court case District of Columbia v.
There is a wide assortment of regulations in various states to permit firearms approval. For instance, more than 66% of gun utilized as a part of a crime was in New York City - which is in a
states. While machine guns, saw-off shotguns, silencers, armor-piercing bullets, zip guns, and explosive weapons are illegal, Texas does not have a waiting period for gun purchases. Additionally, Texas allows all qualified applicants to carry a concealed firearm with a permit.”(state laws). All states are different with gun restrictions. Texas is one of the least strict of all. Florida recently just changed their gun laws do to the mass shooting the just encountered. Most mass shootings are done by people that have no rights to have a gun. If someone is mentally ill or mentally retarded or can’t pass a background check then they shouldn't be able to own a firearm period. In Texas you can carry a gun on campus if that campus allows it.But it must be in a case and out of sight at all times. You are also allowed to have a gun on campus or in the classroom. But it is more strict when it comes around to sporting events. You are not allowed in any shape, form or fashion to legally carry a gun at a sporting event.Private schools have the option to ban guns from their premises if they please too. In Texas if alcohol at bars is 51% of their income each year, then Texas bans guns to be allowed in bars.Guns are used 2.5 million times in the U.S to save lives each year, or
A good example of a gun control law that restricts the use of guns or makes it harder to purchase guns is the National Firearm Act of 1934 [2]which taxed gun manufacturers heavily on each gun produced, and all buyers were required to fill paperwork and wait for the approval to purchase and obtain a firearm by the Treasury Department. Gangster culture in America at this time was at an all time high and the National Firearm Act was passed in hope of stopping and decreasing the horrible culture [3]. Gun control can
When it comes to the United States, (U.S), the majority of the American people love their seconded amendment rights. As stated in the textbook, Constitutional Law and the Criminal Justice System by J. Scott Harr, Karen M. Hess, Christine Orthmann, the second amendment of the United States Constitution, for the most part, protects the U.S. citizens rights to “keep and bear arms” (Harr, Hess, Orthmann, & Kingsbury, 2015, p. 167). That being said, each state in the U.S. will vary in their firearms laws. For instance, some states make it easier for their residence to purchase or use a firearm; other states may have stricter laws that require a more scrutinized screening process. To be more specific, most states vary in elements, such as the exceptions to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, the waiting period on purchasing firearms; if someone needs a license to own or purchase a gun; if registration is required; and if a record of the firearm sales is sent to the local police. Other factors that will differ from state to state would include, if some firearms are permitted or not allowed to be sold or owned by a state, the concealed carry laws, hunter protection laws; range protection laws, and finally, not all states have firearm injury lawsuit preemption.
Gun rights groups have staged several large public rallies in recent years, sometimes at notable historical landmarks such as the Alamo, where members carried rifles in plain sight, which is legal.The state known for its “Wild West,” cowboy history and some the nation’s most relaxed gun laws, has allowed concealed handguns for 20 years. Concealed handgun license holders are even allowed to skip the metal detectors at the state Capitol, as state troopers providing security assume they’re armed.
Gun control is a means of restricting the types of firearms sold, and controlling who can purchase them. Too many innocent lives are affected by persons who use weapons for the wrong reasons. The possession of such dangerous weapons is to be taken more seriously.
Forty-three states allow gun owners to carry their guns in plain sight in public. In some of those states places can ban guns inside of their building. People can still carry guns in states where it is legal. Gun owners in California enter Starbucks and other businesses to demonstrate their right to carry guns. Starbucks does not