Gun Control Does Not Control Criminals
"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" (Bill of Rights, Article II).
This seemingly simple phrase is probably the source of more debate and argument than any other single sentence in American history. The argument is not black and white, rather, it encompasses many shades of gray. At the one end of the spectrum you have the National Rifle Association (NRA) which currently views any type of gun control as an infraction against the Second Amendment of the Constitution ("What is the NRA" 1). At the other end of the spectrum you have groups like the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV)
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This did not last long.
Following the assassination of President Kennedy the Gun Control Act of 1968 was passed. The act banned the mail-order sale of guns and ammunition. This act was even supported by the NRA's leaders. Within the NRA however, there was a growing faction that opposed gun control in any form. This faction was set up as the subordinate committee, Institute for Legislative Action (ILA). This faction gained support and power and in 1977 gained control of the NRA. They have held that power ever since.
Today's NRA works to foster support for the shooting sports, to promote firearms safety, responsibility, and freedom, and to protect Second Amendment rights from infringement ("What is the NRA" 1). They take a very hard line in their protection of Second Amendment rights. They believe that the right to keep and bear arms is an individual right and work to oppose any legislation that will infringe that right.
The AFA was founded in 1993. It seeks to protect the constitutional right to bear arms while supporting fair and reasonable gun controls. They seek to preserve the sportsman's arms, rifles and shotguns, at the cost of the recreational shooters arms, handguns (Lissabet, "Return" 3). This approach is presented as a compromise to safeguard Second Amendment rights. They espouse to support the Second Amendment, they also support the implementation of stricter gun controls (Lissabet, "Anti-Federalism" 4).
For over 50 years the NRA has been the most controversial and well noted example of an adamant, unwavering, organized, voice as it has arguably inflicted more influence in lobbying efforts than any other special interest group represented in the nation’s capital. Originally founded in 1871, the NRA originated just 6 years after the civil war and just 3 years after the 14th amendment. After just enduring the bloodiest battle in our nation’s history The 14th amendment (1868) granted states the right to further extend the protections available for individual possession of arms. A law of this measure did hold rightful ground, given the climate in reconstruction era America. As an individual right to bear arms would naturally be in higher demand following such a conflict. The NRA was founded to protect the granted rights and to represent a portion of individuals who held these rights dearest. As the essay states “The NRA, as always, speaks for all gun-owners, with respect to the Second Amendment” (Alstyne 5). While it is within our constitutional boundaries to have special interests represented, the NRA has long outgrown its original somewhat transparent roots. Like most
People and organisions like the NRA fights for our gun rights every time they try to pass laws on gun control. Once they begin banning one type of gun they will start banning other types of guns. In California they have ban assault weapons (the ultimate assault weapon). They are now trying to ban the .50 cal. Rifle in the assault weapon ban because they say it is a sniper rifle (the ultimate assault weapon). Although bills like these do not pass it does not prevent law makers from trying to slip them in.
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 right to bear arms is a birth given right to all Americans by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment has become controversial recently due to the technological advancement of firearms. Modern firearms are capable of both high rates of fire and greater capacities of ammunition, unlike the single shot muskets that were available at the time of the Second Amendment’s conception. American liberals view these improvements in firearms as dangerous and unnecessary. However, no matter how dangerous firearms may be, the Second Amendment is a necessity for one factor alone: protection from one’s own government and it must be upheld. The Second Amendment provides a physical tool for Americans to defend themselves against a tyrannical government, it allows Americans to form militias against a tyrannical government, and it allows Americans to maintain comparable firearms of the U.S. government in order to prevent the potential loss of American freedoms in the future.
The National Rifle Association is an interest group that supports our right to bear arms. They have been around for over a century and continue to lobby in Congress to help protect our Second Amendment. They currently have 4.3 million members that support the Second Amendment and other groups that educate citizens on gun safety. This group has made a tremendous difference on how our government and society views gun control and is probably the biggest reason we still have our right to bear arms. (www.nraila.org)
America needs to institute, and initiate gun control laws throughout the entire nation. But not everybody who inhabits the United States believes in regulating arms. Those who are against establishing gun laws argue that gun control directly infringes upon their “right to bear arms” granted to them by the 2nd Amendment. Anti gun control supporters, such as the National Rifle Association, often claim that the act of regulating guns is a sufficient reason why such an Amendment was introduced in the constitution; to protect themselves from any and all forms of violation of civil liberties and freedom. Supporters of anti gun laws are unwilling to welcome any interpretations of the 2nd Amendment that do not match up “word for word,” as was written in the Bill of Rights.
The National firearm act of 1934 regulating only fully automatic firearms like sub-machine guns is approved by Congress. Then Roosevelt wins approval of the National Firearms Act of 1938, which requires the licensing of interstate gun dealers, who must record their sales. It prohibits sales to individuals under accusation or convicted of crimes of violence. The Gun Control Act of 1968 was passed for the purpose of keeping firearms out of the hands of those not legally permitted to possess them because of age, criminal background, or incompetence. In 1972 the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is created listing as part of its mission the control of illegal use and sale of firearms and the enforcement of Federal firearms laws. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act enforces a five-day waiting period on the purchase of a handgun and requires that local law enforcement agencies conduct background checks on purchasers of handguns. Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 band all sale, manufacture, importation, or possession of a number of specific types of assault weapons. Given this information you
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
America is the most well armed nation in the world, with American citizens owning about 270 million of the world’s 875 million firearms (Marshall). Indeed, this is more than a quarter of the world’s registered firearms. The reason why Americans own so many guns is because of the Second Amendment, which 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.” (Rauch) This amendment guarantees U.S. citizens the right to have firearms. Since this amendment is relatively vague, it is up for interpretation, and is often used by gun advocates to argue for lenient gun laws. Hence, gun control is a frequently discussed controversial topic in
also exempt due to a licensing law has the second greatest number of murders and
In 1975, they realized that this was not effective enough. The NRA formed the Institute for Legislative Action(ILA) to focus on the politics that effect the NRA and the Second Amendment. (nra.org)
NRA spending $3 million per annum to influence the governmental policies, while multiply organization supporting the cause of disarmament and gun control. NRA became more politically active following the passage of the GCA in the 1970s. The second amendment in constitution allows the civilian to bear arms and the armed revolution against colonist proved to be the fruitful effort. Furthermore, the concept of wild west can’t be undermined. The entertainment industry portrays Hollywood invincible like John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart, contributing towards formations of rugged individualism. (Datesman, Carandall and Kearny, 82)
“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” (Bill of Rights). This is the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution. This is a document that grants all Americans certain inalienable rights. All citizens no matter their age or standing in society have some understanding of the Bill of Rights and the freedoms that it allows. One freedom that is granted to us, the right to bear arms, has become the center of a heated issue in today’s society and many years before. The majority of citizens have felt the impacts of guns, either positive or negative, during some point of their life. It is because of the fact that guns are a part of
It seems like the NRA is contradicting themselves by agreeing with some aspects of the proposal given by President Obama. They have expressed hatred towards changing laws to better protect America’s youth and educators, but stand by the President’s side on precedent issues such as increased patrolling in schools and better mental health screening for gun purchases. The NRA has put doubt in the minds of United States citizens about the impending gun control laws, but there seems to be more pros to the proposal than cons.