The History Of Gun Control

Boilard, Steve D. "Gun Control." THE ENCYCLOPEDIA of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY, edited by George T. Kurian and Jeffrey D. Schultz, vol. 3, Sharpe Reference, 1997, pp. 128-129.

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.

In today’s society, there is plenty to talk about. Whether it be about the President, the weather change, there is always something to talk about. One of the major issues that has been talked about for an extended period of time is gun control and the issues that follow it. There are two specific articles that were chosen today; one of which from the Chicago Sun Times website, and the other from the New York Times.

People who appreciate activities like shooting competitions and hunting, use firearms responsibly. This use contrasts with other uses, which often result in consequences that can be both intended and unintended. With past and present mass shootings, and acts of bloodshed perpetrated with the usage of weapons; has triggered a focus on gun control that once again has been brought into the spotlight. The purpose of the ongoing gun argument addresses the crimes that are committed with guns. This issue of gun control separated people into two groups: those who believe that carrying guns might prevent some crimes and fatalities, and those who don’t. There are individuals who believe absolutely the reverse: that more crime and deaths

Frates, Chris. “The Gun Debate Isn’t Over Yet.” National Journal (2013): Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.

The rise in cases of gun violence and related incidences of assault has drawn the public to the issue of guns and gun control. Such has been evident within the spheres of politics especially with the last election period seeing the incumbent president Donald Trump suggesting on stringent gun control laws. However, despite the acknowledgment of the need to have better gun laws, much ground and consensus has never reached. Such, to an extent, contributed to the current lack of political goodwill within the country to have the necessary legislations enacted to facilitate the same on the controls (Grandy 23). Of the guns under question are the assault rifles. Like the military weapons, assault rifles have a destructive potential to causing

The second issue in this paper is about rebellions throughout American history. There were several rebellions, but Shays’ Rebellion, the Whiskey Rebellion, and Fries’s Rebellion were an important part of the militia debate. “Shays’s Rebellion was the largest violent uprising in the new nation’s history, would become the first test of the radical potential of the militia and the right to bear arms in post-Revolutionary America”(Cornell, 31). Shays’s Rebellion revealed a tension in American constitutional theory if the militia was an agent of government authority or a popular system serving as a check on government. The notion that the militia refused to enforce an unjust law or took up arms against the government became the most important

Weapons have been a big problem to the United States for many years now. People have access to many weapons just as easy as the US Military does. The people of the US can both go to a gun store and buy a weapon at the age of sixteen, or they can make a deal with anyone in the streets of the US. Because of the accessibility to weapons, Americans can cause collateral damage in the neighborhood they live in. They can also commit robbery, or go anywhere and start shooting.

The matter of gun control has become an increasingly controversial issue. Whenever, a nationalized tragedy ensues that involves gun violence, the question on what to accomplish regarding America’s gun control takes center stage. While exploring this topic, this essay will attempt to discuss the circumstances that prohibit a person from possessing firearms, also regulations to prevent these persons from possessing firearms. Upon reflecting on the personal side of the gun control debate, stricter gun control begins to infringe upon our rights, as citizens and they should concentrate on enforcing the current laws in the books, instead of making additional laws.

“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” A gun license grants a user the right to own and use a firearm. Gun-right supporters strongly oppose federally mandated licensing or registration. They see both as dangerous steps toward revoking Second Amendment rights. They say that with mandated licensing or registration, a right guaranteed by the Constitution becomes a privilege granted by the government (Doeden). The topic of gun control/rights in the United States has a long history, which some see as unconstitutional, and could easily be relaxed by requiring background checks.

Arms, shall not be infringed.” The government has no right to change the amendment and placing a ban and enforcing stricter regulations is yet another invasion of our liberty. By placing restrictions on gun ownership, citizens will feel insecure and more defenseless. FBI crime statistics show that more people are murdered by clubs and hammers than rifles and shotguns. This statement would

Their opinion contradicts the opinion of some in saying that the right to have a weapon makes a society free.

Where did gun control begin? The efforts to do something about guns began as far back as 1968. According to AICGS (the American Institution for German Studies at John Hopkins University), efforts began with The Gun Control Act of 1968, which granted the federal, state, and local law enforcement officials powers to regulate gun control, in the effort to fight crime. This act made it illegal for any licensee to sell or deliver firearms or ammunition to, any individual they have a reasonable cause to believe is less than the age of eighteen; as well as, for the licensee to sell any firearm, that is not a shotgun or a rifle, to any individual under the age of twenty-one. Just like every other law or act, it comes with a couple of exceptions, including:

I think guns should be legal for law abiding citizens. Law abiding citizens should be able to own a gun. They would protect themselves and their families. Americans who own a gun should take a safety course. They can learn how to use the weapons properly.

Watchel said that another way of obtaining an illegal gun is from unlicensed street dealers or black markets. Most illegal dealers get their guns from gun thefts or straw purchases. Like marijuana and other illegal drugs, it’s very easy to obtain and buy illegal guns. Set Chicago as an example, the city has very strict gun laws, but it was still crowned the murder capital of the US. The city has no gun stores, but most people are getting their guns from outside the city. Imagine if the US has gun control laws that prohibited millions of Americans from owning guns, its neighboring countries would supply them illegal guns, just like they did with Marijuana and other illegal drugs. According to Edward Dolan, author of Gun Control: a Decision for Americans, a gun control act was passed in 1968 that prohibited the imports of cheap guns from abroad. Dolan said that the law seems to be working at first, but later, the number of imported guns went back to where it was before. Another indication that the gun control didn’t work is that, the homicide rate quickly rose up to 300 % after the 1968 law was passed. Basically, gun control made matters worse in the past, and it will in the future, if the government continues to propose it. No law would have the ability to contain guns or hide their existence. The truth is that, people will always find ways to get their hands on a gun if they really wanted to. Criminals