Gun Laws Research Paper

On September 25, 1789, The Bill Of Rights was submitted to the states for approval, based on the previous Constitution's insufficient assurances for civil freedom, liberties and justice. Concerned that the Constitution neglected to clearly state the basic civil rights of the citizens of the United States, Anti- Federalists opposed the Articles of Confederations, which gave state governments more authority (“Bill of Rights, n.d.). As a result the first tem amendments commonly known as The Bill of Rights was approved by congress in 1791, undeniably guaranteeing citizens of The United States essential and important rights. The 1st and 2nd amendments are perhaps the most

“The right to bear arms”, an amendment so prioritized by our founding fathers that it earned the very second spot on the list of birth rights as Americans. However, with constant tragedies striking the United States, such as massacres in public high schools and universities, mall shootings, and attempted assassinations on state representatives, it’s no wonder law makers are constantly debating the topic of gun control.

The first Laws of the land. The foundation on which our country would stand for years to come. Drafted in 1791 by James Madison the Bill of rights which holds the 2ns Amendment was formed during the very first presidency of The Unites States, George Washington. The United States was forming the foundation of our country. In a time where the country wanted to form its Laws but also allow the citizens to feel secure they would not oppress them. Beginning with The American War of Independence the citizens wanted to feel safe. Fighting Great Britain for its Independence America wanted to be firm and strong, with its citizens on board.

“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.”

of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be

Since 2013, there have been over 200 school shootings in America- an average of one a week (EverytownResearch.org). Some state Legislators are considering letting individual districts and college campus to have autonomy over the type school security that is available for the students and staff. There is a state law in Texas, called The Protection of Texas Children Act, the law essentially deputizes school officials to serve as “School Marshals” who, after obtaining proper weapons license, undergoing training and passing a mental health exam, and receive training in crisis management and hostile situation, then they can have a gun in schools (Chen). In the rural area of Harrold, Texas, in the Harrold Independent School District, in 2007, they have already made ground breaking changes, they were the first school to allow teachers and staff after following the strict set of prerequisites to carry a weapon on school property. The students in the high school say they feel much safer knowing that in a small town where there is no police station that the teachers are going to protect them if the situation should arrive (Chen). Since this first school many others across the country have also made changes to allow their staff to be armed.

This way teachers wouldn’t have the access to a gun at any time, they could just use it when it was really important

“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, 2013)”

“That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and their own state, or the United States, or for the purpose of killing game; and no law shall be passed for disarming the people or any of them, unless for crimes committed, or real danger of public injury from individuals…”

The Second Amendment 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

As a law-abiding private citizen, with no special exceptions, you must be 18 years of age to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer, and 21 to purchase a handgun. However, to possess firearms and handguns, as well as purchase from a private seller and make for personal use, these ages are reduced to 0 and 18 respectively. Additionally, you are unable to own armor piercing ammunition and machine guns (weapons that fire multiple cartridges per pull of the trigger) manufactured after 1986 (18 U.S. Code § 922).

Teaching at a typical small town school in rural America one day, shots ring out. Active shooter drills come to mind, but what do we do, where do we go, how many students are present? Panic sets in. Thoughts of hiding, running, calling out for help and screaming all flash across the forefront of the mind when a person can be seen walking down the hall with a large gun in hand. No one ever thinks it could happen in a town, school, or church like ours but when the act is committed everyone feels the betrayal. Although schools from elementary to universities have adopted drills for active shooters and have routes with plans drawn up we never know how we will truly react until the time comes. Armed guards stand at the ready at most entryway doors but they are only one person and can not be everywhere always. In a recent study of active shooters for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, J.Pete Blair and Katherine W. Schweit have said, “The second most common incident locations were in educational environments…and the study results established that …these incidents involved some of the highest casualty numbers” (20). Crime is always a threat to education and defending our students nationwide should be a priority. The trouble begins with the fact that the school shootings are becoming more regular. Allowing teachers to be armed gives administration, faculty and students a more successful chance at survival against an active shooter in our education systems.

Later, in 1938, The Federal Firearms Act was put in place which further restricted the state to states movement of firearms. This new law prevented those convicted and without proper permits from obtaining guns, but there were no consequences to those who sold guns to these people. More and more firearm restriction acts were passed like the Federal Firearms Act of 1938, The Gun Control Act of 1968, and the Brady Bill in efforts to regulate the sale, manufacturing, and purchase of firearms. Opponents of strict gun laws often reference the Bill of Rights, specifically the Second Amendment. Although the Bill of Rights gives Americans certain freedoms, it does not mean Americans are not without certain regulations. Each state has its own constitution, and in each constitution limits can be added to certain freedoms to ensure the safety of its people. For example, Florida, Georgia and Texas’ constitutions allow its citizens to carry arms as a means of self-protection, but it always states that this freedom shall be regulated by the authority of the government. Even though all states feel guns need to be regulated many disagree in which way regulations are set. There are an estimated twenty thousand local, state, and federal gun laws currently regulating firearms in the United States (Gold, 2004).

I strongly believe all teachers should be armed at schools as soon as possible due to the amount of shootings we are having is increasing at an alarming rate.

Have those closest to our children, our future, to bring the most deadliest weapons to school? Teachers shouldn’t be allowed to carry a concealed weapon at school. Everyone needs to figure out ways to better protect our kids in the first place, this could result in more unnecessary injuries, and the teachers have no desire to do such a thing. There are much better ways to protect our students than teachers carrying a firearm. If a school is attacked and a gunman infiltrates a classroom the teacher is the first one taken out, no time to reach for the gun.