Essay on Gun Control: Is It Really in the Second Amendment

Violence and crimes are growing in number and affecting American society. By reinforcing background checks we could reduce crimes and limit easy gun access to mentally ill people. The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is a database where the names of people that have committed a misdemeanor, are mentally ill or drug abusers is kept to prevent them from attaining guns. Most criminals buy guns from unlicensed sellers at gun shows that don’t do properly background checks through the NICS, making it easier from criminals to purchase firearms. Another problem is missing records or information that was not reported to the background check system. Better background checks could reduce crime and gun violence in America.

Ratified December 15, 1791, the bill of rights was added to the U.S. Constitution as a way to ensure the protection of every individual’s rights. The bill itself is a list of rights which limits the power of the federal government and gives power back to the people in the form of rights and liberties. Some of this rights include freedom of speech, religion, and press, but perhaps the one right that still to this day has many people questioning the meaning behind its wording is the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment states that “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” (Acosta, 2008). In short the amendment grants the right to bear arms,

In the Constitution, the second amendment gives the American people to have the right to possess and bear arms. This amendment has been the most controversial issue since guns have been around. Issues such as gun control and gun ownership have remained a matter of debate and have been floating around in Congress. It has been rumored that Congress is forced to draft certain legislation in order to come up with a law against unlawful use of arms, and only owning them for safety purposes. When it comes to congress, Republicans and Democrats have debated their views on gun-control in the United States to best fit the overall well-being of the citizens. These different points of views have caused many discussions on how this controversial topic should be handled and whether or not it conflicts with the second amendment. Throughout this topic, Republicans and hardcore NRA supporters favor with less strict rules of gun-control while Democrats want stricter rules such as a background check for every citizen that poses a threat to either the United States of America or the average citizen. The debate on guns in America has essentially become one more distracting, off-point topic in culture wars.

Then there are the stories of kids who found their parents guns in the desk drawer or under the bed, that accidently shoot their friend or themselves. This happens all too often and can tear families apart. “The guns children use to shoot other children all start out in the hands of adults. The Children’s Gun Violence Prevention Act of 1998 shuts down the sources of guns for kids by placing increased responsibility on parents and gun dealers. Parents whose children gain access to improperly stored guns in the home will risk facing criminal penalties” (Koch). This is a great law to have on the books. This will help ensure that someone is held

Some could say that it really depends on whom you talk to of how the Second Amendment applies to the current battle over gun control in today’s society. For example, gun rights advocates like the NRA (National Rifle Association) interpret the Amendment to ensure the right of individuals to possess and carry firearms (A Right to Bear Arms?, UMKC School of Law). Gun control advocates such as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence state that the term “militia” is used elsewhere in the Constitution, and it always refers to the state-organized militia (Tushnet, Interpreting). They believe that the Second Amendment is specifically slated towards the state-organized militia. The Amendment means that the Congress cannot disarm the

Background checks for gun buyers were implemented a year and a half ago, more than 4,600 people who were supposed to be prevented from buying guns bought them anyway because their

President Barack Obama says we have an “obligation” to try anything that could save one child, but many people find this statement to be ridiculous. Gun control is thought of as a government policy or regulations to control or limit the sale and use of firearms. In the U.S. constitution, the 2nd Amendment states that 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. Inside America today, gun control is a major issue, especially in the political arena. People debate on the daily that not all things in society make it a safer place to live. The best intentions of America’s lawmakers often do not achieve the desired outcome; therefore, the nation

Guns have been around for a very long time. People love being able to have the freedom to do what they want, especially when they can possess something that make them feel superior. The introduction of the Second Amendment opens up the controversial, yet well anticipated opportunity for United State citizens to be able to own guns. Americans enjoy the benefit of being able to own guns for decades over people in other countries. People can buy guns and carry them around in public. They own guns for many reasons such as to hunt, to protect themselves, and simply to satisfy their desire of owning a gun, but in recent years, the issue of people carry guns has become a problem. There are so many people get killed by guns in different parts of

In firearm stores, background checks have prevented 3 million gun sales to prohibited consumers, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. Background checks could be the next solution for firearm purchases, if they were stricter and had more requirements.

The full content of the Amendment II of the United States Constitution 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” (Am Gov 2015-2016 p.78). This amendment was created by the founding fathers based on at the time situation of the young country of the United States to protect the people from enemies. However, in 2008, the Supreme Court developed a new meaning of the Second Amendment with its conclusion in District of Columbia v. Heller that “The Second Amendment confers an individual right for citizens to keep and bear arms to protect themselves” (Am Gov 2015-2016 p.79).

““This whole law was written on the backs of children who didn’t die,” he said.”1 Gun Control is a very controversial topic being discussed. Those against new gun control laws have a lot of reasons; however they have one main argument which is the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Gun control is one of the leading factors that go into a campaign. More rules and regulations are not always the answer. There are many examples of places where they have strict rules on the purchase of firearms or even no firearms at all and guns are still used for violence. Foreign countries do not help us here either. The United States gets much criticism from many other countries even though they are not doing much better. However no matter what they say it does nothing to keep people from buying guns for self-defense. Some people are talking about self-defense who is against, and those who support these laws are calling them common sense. These are a few of the reasons for there to be a decrease in gun control; however these are a few of the main arguments.

"I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it."

The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: “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.” The constitution is clearly saying all citizens have the right to be able to own and carry a weapon or firearm. On June 26, 2008, in District of Columbia v. Heller, the United States Supreme Court held in a 5-4 decision that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home and within federal enclaves (Cornell 1). This is showing how our founding fathers supported the right to bear arms.

Due to many of the recent violent acts in our country involving guns, the question has arouse; Should a system of universal background checks be required for all gun purchases? What some Americans do not realize is that guns are constantly falling in the wrong hands of criminals and more often, the mentally ill. There are too many Americans loosing their lives because of this. Most of the people that are ineligible to purchase guns are able to because of the flaws in the universal background system or through private party sales, which do not initiate background checks. Shootings actually occur very frequently. Since 1982, there have been 61 mass shootings, all involving gun use. The United States also holds the record of having 15 of the nastiest 25 shootings. It is proven that more guns result in more murders. States with harsher laws on gun control do not have as many deaths from violence correlated to the use of guns. According to a map provided by The Washington Post, “…states which have one of three gun control restrictions in place – assault weapons’ bans, trigger locks, or safe storage requirements. Firearm deaths are significantly lower in states with stricter gun control legislation (Klein).” Seattle’s Mayor, Ed Murray states “Gun violence kills 86 Americans every day. It happens everywhere: in big cities, small towns, on our streets, schools, shopping malls, and places of worship (Klein).” It is apparent that individuals who have criminal backgrounds or who have a

Thought the United Stated of America only 8 states legally require individuals to undergo background screenings before purchasing a handgun, however federally every store that is federally licensed firearm dealers is required to give any individual looking to buy a gun a background screening. Many states have put in place background checks to save lives and prevent guns from getting in the hands of uneducated people studies found that 93 percent of Americans including 83 percent of gun owners and 72 percent of the NRA members support criminal background checks for all gun sales. (Every town) Over 160,000 people are denied a gun purchase every year (the trace) individuals can fail a background check for many different reasons. If an individual has been convicted of a domestic violence crime they are unable to legally own a