Persuasive Essay On Gun Control

Every day in America an average of 93 are killed people due to gun violence. One of the biggest concerns today in American policy is gun control. This is a very controversial and complicated topic for both pro-gun and anti-gun supporters. American policy makers need to make it harder for the wrong people to obtain firearms and the fact that Second Amendment and gun control can co-exist. Mental illness constantly emerges in relation to mass shootings and shooters a like, as well as day to day homicides and suicides. America doesn’t necessarily have more crime then other developed countries the crime is just much more lethal. Right-wing Republicans constantly use the Second Amendment as shield to use firearms, the fact is the document is

According to Nicholas Kristof’s article “our blind spot about guns” gun control is a lot like cars regulation such that if we can regulate cars we can regulate guns. It took a lot of time and effort but thanks to regulations cars are safer than they were many years ago, and the same is very possible with guns. We need to keep our country safe. The first steps to gun control are improving on background checks and also requiring trigger locks on all guns.

Gun laws vary from state to state, county to county, and even many cities have different laws pertaining to the use and ownership of firearms based on age, criminal record, and style of firearm. Violent crimes committed during the 1920s and early 1930s lead to the National Firearms Act of 1934 which imposed a $200 tax on the purchase of machine guns and short barreled firearms with a barrel 18 inches in length or shorter. The NFA of 1934 did little to reduce violent crimes committed with firearms because it only addressed these two different types of guns and did not make it illegal to own or purchase these weapons. Throughout that last century there has been many gun control acts that have had little impact on crimes committed with firearms, after the NFA of 1934 we seen the The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 (“FFA”), The Gun Control Act of 1968 (“GCA”), The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 (“Brady Act”), The Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, and National Instant Criminal Background Check of 2007 that were all aimed at preventing gun violence, but did little to reduce

In the United States results in thousands of deaths and thousands more injuries annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, firearms (excluding BB and pellet guns) were used in 84,258 nonfatal injuries (26.65 per 100,000 U.S. citizens) and 11,208 deaths by homicide (3.5 per 100,000), 21,175 by suicide with a firearm, 505 deaths due to accidental discharge of a firearm, and 281 deaths due to firearms-use with "undetermined intent" for a total of 33,169 deaths related to firearms (excluding firearm deaths due to legal intervention). 1.3% of all deaths in the country were related to firearms.

From 1988 to 2001, the usage of anti-depressant drugs in the general public increased by four-hundred percent (Swanson). The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary took place in December of 2012, and during 2014, firearms were used in 88 percent of teen homicides, and 41 percent of teen suicides (“Suicidal Teens”). On February 28th, 2017, the Trump administration repealed a firearms regulation that prevented mentally disabled persons from owning guns. At the same time, teenage mental illness is on the rise, specifically in cases of depression and anxiety. A report from the Surgeon General shows that over 90 percent of adolescents that committed either suicide or homicide have or had a mental disability. Mental disabilities such as depression and anxiety put teenagers at a high risk for homicides and suicides. Teenagers who are stressed due to school, lack of parenting, puberty, bullying, and other factors can develop depression, anxiety or another mental illness. Allowing these teens easy access to firearms proves time and time again to be very dangerous. In some cases, the families of these teens have never been assessed to see if they can responsibly store firearms. The only background check performed is on the owner of the firearm, meaning that a person may own the weapon even if another family member living with them legally cannot. Loose gun control laws allow families with physiologically ill children to have access to firearms, without first checking to see if the disabled children in the home are responsible enough to be around said firearms. Repealing gun control laws instated by the Obama administration will cause an increase in adolescent firearm-related homicides, suicides, and tragedies similar to the one at Sandy Hook Elementary.

However, the right is not unlimited. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld some firearms restrictions, such as bans on concealed weapons and on the possession of certain types of weapons, as well as prohibitions against the sale of guns to certain categories of people. The Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits persons under eighteen years of age, convicted criminals, the mentally disabled, dishonorably discharged military personnel, and others from purchasing firearms. In 1993, the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act mandated background checks for all unlicensed persons purchasing a firearm from a federally authorized dealer.

“A series of terror attacks that killed more than 120 people, ISIS claimed responsibility for the horrific Paris attacks,” (Castillo and et. al.). Even though more guns will give more chances of murders, will more gun control laws stop people by getting them, will we be safer without legal guns, and why should we give up our right to bear arms.

A common controversial topic that is discussed universally is the issue of shootings and gun use. Citizens views on the topic range from the wishes to completely ban guns, to the total allowance and ownership of such items. In comparison, some drugs may be illegal, although people still possess them. Would the same be for guns? Should more be done to implement the control over guns? Or should more freedom be given to gun owners? One can visualize the positives and negatives regarding gun control by learning more about the following: the suspected terrorists list, the black market, increase in gun crime, rarely using guns for self-defense and how extensive background checks would prohibit unqualified people from obtaining firearms.

We see and hear about it on the news how someone shot and killed someone and we all think why do people do that or what gives them the idea to just go out and take another living human life away. Then the issue is would it be better to make Gun-control even more strict so that the deaths caused by gunshots could lower? So when people do bad, other people look for a solution on what to do and the idea that keeps getting tossed up is to make Gun-control more strict so it doesn't happen as often. But this shouldn’t be the case since there will always be gun violence. The issue isn't the gun, the issue is who wields it and uses for harm instead of protection. Then will this person who has a gun will he/she be mentally stable enough to use it

In the wake of the shooting in Las Vegas this year, there have been more tension around gun-control than ever. This shooting has inspired a new wave of people to argue over whether or not the United States needs new gun laws, one side argues that we need more restrictions on the owning of guns, the other side that it's a citizen's right to own a gun and to take that away is unconstitutional. In this paper, I will first give a rundown of the history of laws concerning gun control, then I will talk about whether or not America should pass more gun laws then I will address how this relates to previous cases involving gun control.

The first legislative attempt of gun control was in 1934; it started the fight between the National Rifle Association, who believed it was unfair to the law abiding citizens to limit their rights, and lawmakers wanting to limit the amount of crimes. The debate has grown and changed immensely t over the years, but the issue is still there (Magoon). This year in Colorado, Senator Vicki Marble, Representative Stephen Humphrey, and Representative Lori Saine have been the Prime Sponsors for the repeal of the ban of possession and sales of large capacity magazines (Repeal Ammunition Magazine Prohibition). This is known as Senate Bill 17-007; it states that part 3 of article 12 of title 18 of The Colorado Revised Statutes should be repealed and adds a safety clause stating that it needs to be implemented for the “public peace, health, and safety” (Concerning the Repeal of Certain Provisions Concerning Ammunition Magazines). Large Capacity Magazines (LCMs) are generally defined as holding ten rounds or higher, but in the case for Colorado it is defined as holding 15 rounds or higher (Large Capacity Magazines). SB17-007 was introduced January 11, passed through the Senate but was indefinitely postponed by the House as of March 22 (“Repeal Ammunition Magazine Prohibition - SB 17-007”). Senate Bill 17-007 will repeal the ban on large firearm magazines; it should be passed because the prohibition has not shown any decrease of deaths in mass shootings and infringes on America’s second amendment right.

After witnessing countless murders with the use of rifles and hand guns, gun control may be one of the first ideas that may come to mind. These criminals always seem to have high capacity magazines and weapons with fast fire rates. This would cause people to say, “let’s reduce the legal magazine capacity, and enforce stricter gun laws.” This ideology might sound great on paper, but it may ignore a more serious issue. It could be understood that there may not be any intention to ban guns completely, but certain aspects of gun control have negative effects on law abiding citizens who legally own guns. Gun control may sound like a great idea, but I believe that it is not going to act as a long-term deterrent for gun violence and murders in the future. The point is that no matter the laws enforced, there are always alternatives to buying a firearm legally, especially when purchasing guns for criminal intent. No matter what gun laws are enforced; criminals will always turn to the black market to purchase guns, purchase firearm ammunition, and how to prevent criminals from getting their hands on firearms through screening.

What is a Gun? According to Dictionary.com the definition of weapon means the following “any instrument or device for use in attack or defense in combat, fighting, or war, as a sword, rifle, or cannon.” Additionally, Google’s definition means “a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage” Both definitions imply some sort of intent to harm or kill another human being. The most common type of weapon today that is used to inflict harm on others is widely known as a Gun or Rifle. About “ Thirty-nine percent of American households report owning at least one gun”(American Gun Ownership, By The Numbers). This is the percent of those who legally own a weapon. Those who do not legally own a weapon are not included. As the world becomes more violent and dangerous many feel the need for protection. Therefore, some resort to a weapon. Sadly some of these fall into the wrong hands. The statistics and deaths speaks for themselves. Something needs to be done about the use of weapons. Strict gun restrictions need to be put in place. If restrictions are put into place, and not improvement is made,

“The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun.” Says the CEO of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, at a news conference on 16 December 2012. But the thing is, his statement is wrong.

Guns are used all over the world and are controlled in some countries but in others people are allowed to have any type of gun ranging from automatic assault rifles to big rocket launches. Should it also be controlled in our country the United States of America? Many say no yes and many others say NO! In my opinion it should be controlled.