Gun Control: The Battle Rages On
Abstract
This paper discusses and is centered around the on-going debate over gun control, I directly address how each major political party views this subject and what I believe the United States Government should do to be able to best combat this tremendous issue. I use research from multiple sources that contrast each side of the argument and give an overall insight into the world of modernized gun control.
Gun Control: The Battle Rages On
With the Second Amendment giving American citizens the rights to bear arms, and approximately fifty percent of Americans owning some form of a firearm, issues involving the ownership and possession of guns have led to heated debates in American society. Most
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They take the term in an individual sense, therefore giving the individual the right to own and possess arms (Maguire, 1994, p. 58). The new laws and regulations being advocated by pro-gun controllers give those in opposition the feeling that their rights involving guns are slowly being taken away, and worry how far it will go. Having stated all of this information, it is imperative to choose what side of the gun control fence you stand on. Are you for gun control, or against it? A lot of the time people decide hastily without looking at both sides of the argument, or doing their own individual research before coming to a logical conclusion. When it comes to discussing how each major political party views this topic, it is often times easy to determine what position you defend or take on the issue because of the party you typically side with. The Democrats for instance often coincide with pro-gun control which not only favors strengthening gun control to reduce violence but also to reauthorize an assault weapons ban and close the gun show loophole that has been prevalent, especially in recent memory. The Republicans on the other hand are considered to tend to be more anti-gun control because of their policy on being able to obtain and store ammunition without registration, they also do not favor frivolous gun lawsuits and no federal gun licensing.
What I believe the US Government should do about this issue is to incorporate
The debate over gun control has been raging through the American political systems for years. On one side, there is the National Rifle Association (NRA) and 2nd Amendment-citing citizens who use their firearms for hunting and self-defense. On the other, there is Handgun Control Inc. (HCI) and followers of the Brady Campaign who want to ban guns on the basis that they are dangerous. Both sides have strong arguments, anchored in historical precedent and statistical analysis. Anti-gun control lobbyists’ arguments include the guarantee of the 2nd Amendment, the definition of “militia” as any adult male, self-defense, the relative uselessness of permits and regulations, and court cases in favor of firearm possession. Pro-gun control activists
Guns are one of the most controversial and debated-upon topics in America today. In the Constitution, Americans are given “the right to bear arms,” and many Americans are proud of and believe strongly in that right. Though, that right has been constantly misused. Homicides by gun are at a higher rate in the United States than any other country in the world, mass shootings are at an all time high (many of which have occurred in the past two years alone), and terrorism has been at an all-time high. So, naturally, it is a topic that needs to be discussed. In the articles Change Your Gun Laws, America (1), author Fareed Zakaria provides the readers with some harrowing statistics on guns and insight over how the U.S. laws on guns need to be managed.
The Second Amendment to the U.S Constitution is fiercely debated and interpreted differently among American citizens and argued with between the Legislative and Judicial branches of our government. “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,” (Brooks). Because of the Second Amendment, citizens have the right to possess firearms and use them for protection. When researching the origin of the Second Amendment, its modern applications, and its relevance in today’s society, one can determine the Second Amendment’s current implications on today’s society.
Gun control is defined as the “regulation of the selling, owning, and use of guns” (“Gun Control” Merriam-Webster 1). Gun control is a heated topic that many Americans concern themselves with today after recent mass shootings. Suggested solutions are posed and debated between different viewpoints. The laws in existence today should be carried out and tightened before excess laws are passed. Many Americans have turned to face the issue of gun control after recent mass shootings like the one in Las Vegas or in some Churches. Some Americans with a more liberal view believe that tighter gun control laws should be enacted. More conservative Americans believe that the gun control laws already passed should be followed through. The gun laws that have already been passed should be followed through opposed to enacting new laws because many laws are already in place, gun control laws do not stop illegally obtaining a gun, and strict gun control laws have failed to prevent mass killings in countries.
“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.” This is the second amendment, the right to bear arms. Throughout history, it has been, seen as one of the most controversial and significant pieces of text in the United States Constitution with many debating over its meaning, context, and role in modern society. Since its ratification, Americans have been arguing over the amendment's meaning and interpretation. One side interprets the amendment to mean it provides for collective rights, while the opposing view is that it provides individual rights. Although the meaning of the second amendment continues to be a hot-button issue for both sides of the aisle one thing is certain, the role that it plays in the American way of life and the lives that it has affected remains a critical aspect of
In Roxane Gay’s essay “Bad Feminist,” Gay discusses the idea of feminism and how people have different views on it. Feminism by definition is “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes” (“Feminism”). Even with this simple definition, people still seem to be divided on what it really means to be a feminist. People are divided on many things: abortion, the death penalty, vaccinations, violence in video games, veganism, etc. Gun control is one of the most highly contested debates in our nation today and is currently relevant due to the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas. The majority of those who are in favor of gun control believe regulation will lead to a safer society and they don’t want any more people to die
Americans love of guns was established from the Second Amendment of the Constitution, they are granted an inalienable right, which is the right to keep and bear arms. Many believe that gun represents the heart of the nation’s foundation and identity, a symbol of freedom. However, there are ongoing controversial gun issues. Should the right to bear arms be controlled? What is the extent it should go? Is gun control not infringing the right to bear arms? Few public policy debates are products of misinformation and by emotions such as the one on gun control. Some gun control advocates believe that the American people are clumsy and ill-tempered and should not be trusted with weapons. Other people believe that owning a gun, is also, owning a peace of mind. To others, gun possession is necessary to protect oneself from criminals. Owning guns could be a basic need for other people like hunters. They use guns to providing food for the family or to protect their livestock. For sports people, the guns would mean fun time spent during leisure hours. The proposals for more gun restrictions or for bans on some guns or all guns could call for a significant change in the constitutional system and could result to violation of fundamental rights of the American people. When guns will be outlawed, people who are law abiding can be vulnerable to violations by people who have no regards for the consequences of their action. How can people be protected from these violations? Some Americans
In America guns have been a part of the country’s society since it’s birth. Throughout history the citizens of the US have used firearms to protect the nation, protect their families, hunt for food and engage in sporting activities. The issue of Guns and gun control is complex. Weighing the rights and liberties of the individual against the welfare and safety of the public has always been a precarious balancing act. In the United States, gun control is one of these tumultuous issues that has both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. Those parties in favor of gun ownership and the freedom to use and keep arms, rely on the fact that the provision for such rights is enshrined in their constitution. In this climate of
Over the last years gun control has become a very widely debated topic. The city, county and state lawmakers seem to be having different stands about the public having easy access to guns. Adam Small states, “After centuries of relative obscurity, the Second Amendment has become the center of an intense academic and legal battle during the last twenty years” (1213). The supporters of gun control and its opponents both claim to have the best interest of this country’s citizens .However, there are private citizens who believe that there should be laws to limit the number of people who own a gun. Even though the United States has enacted laws for regulating firearms, the recent shootings at Aurora movie theatre and Sandy
On April 20th of the year 1999, two high school students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, went armed into Columbine High School with guns, knives, and a multitude of bombs. The result was the slaughter of twelve students and one teacher. The gunners also turned the guns
There has been a controversy through the years about gun control; many were pushing for stronger controls and greater restraint on gun sales.”It took five years for Congress to pass the Gun Control Act of 1968”. ("A History of Gun Control in the pages of America", 2017) This Act was set to regulate the firearms industry and firearms owners. It was mainly to focus on regulating interstate commerce in firearms and prohibiting interstate firearms transfers. ("Gun Control Act of 1968", 2017) There is a big argument when it comes to owning guns in the United States. Many will bring up the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which concerns the right to bear arms, it is in fact their right, but the gun issue has reached the nation’s highest court in the last few years. I know that one has a right to own firearms, but it is not their right to use them in harm of others.
The right to possess guns is a fundamental element to American identity. The right to own and operate guns under certain circumstances is in fact guaranteed as part of the United States Constitution. Over the course of American history and particularly in the 21st century, there exists a great debate over the possession of guns of private citizens. Both sides of the debate argue with fervor. There are those that argue fervently for the right to possess arms; they argue for guns with regard to home protection, property protection, personal security, and that it is a fundamental right as a citizen.
Firearm has been a major issue in United States since founding of the country; however in December 15, 1971 a bill was passed which integrated the second Amendment to the constitution. That second Amendment give people the right to bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Ever since the law was passed America has been the nation of gun owner, it has been a problem for both the owners and the gun control advocate ( Annas & Glantz, 2009).
Democrats recognize the people’s right to bear arms however believe that Second Amendment rights are subject to reasonable regulations while Republicans believe the people have the right to own, carry and use guns and further feel it is unconstitutional to regulate firearms as it infringes upon the people’s right to bear arms. (Republican Views, 2013). For gun owners and others opposing gun control, gun control is seen as infringing on second amendment rights. They believe owning guns, any type or caliber is a right of the people. People own guns for a variety of reasons such as collection, sport/target practice, and personal protection. Guns are part of the American history and represent
Gun Control has been an issue that has been brought to the public’s eyes in recent years. This main issue has been going on for many years, for example when John F. Kennedy was assassinated; it raised public awareness to the lack of control on sales and also possession of guns in America. Until 1968 guns were available over the counter in stores and through mail catalogs to just about any adult in America. This was an example of how loosely guns were regulated which bring us back to the issue of guns. The constitution tells us in the second amendment that we, as American Citizens, have the right to bear arms. But the government is trying to change that by regulating everything to do with owning a gun. My stance: Gun