Gun Control
Gun/Weapon regulation and control has always been present in American law since early colonial settlements. Such law has always centrally revolved around arming citizens for defence whilst preventing the ‘dangerous’ from possessing weapons. Something that is still very much seen today. However, the severity and target of said laws have shifted substantially over time. To put the debate into context, it would seem that before WWII, Americans were indifferent to gun ownership. However, post WWII and following a sharp rise in violent crime in the late 1960’s, gun ownership became a hot topic, with indifference being replaced by two polarised viewpoints (Bellesiles, 2001).
Moving onto the present day, Lund & Winkler (2015) say that
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Some states have more stringent background check systems than the federal one, for example, and some require checks before private sales like those at gun shows. Some states require a license or permit to own a gun, but most do not.” (Perez-Pena, 2015)
As demonstrated, state to state laws can vary enormously, having a major effect on gun availability and control. However, despite being one of the most controversial issues in America today, there are two areas that the majority agree on. One of these being universal background checks and the other being keeping firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill (Ibid).
Current debates on the Second Amendment now revolve around the entitlement and protection to private firearm ownership for American citizens, extending to associated types of weaponry, ammunition, storage and purchase (Lund & Winkler,
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This point is substantiated by the fact that having a privately owned firearm in a household makes a family member five times more likely to be fatally shot than in a non-armed household. Perez-Pena (2015) notes that each year around 30,000 preventable deaths are caused by firearms, which accounts for 18% of injury related deaths in America. It also states that the associated medical bills cost the taxpayer $100 billion a year. Perhaps the most intresting point raised concerns the so called ‘gun show loophole’, in which guns sold at shows or by small scale sellers do not require buyer background checks. This, in theory, allows the categorically banned demographic (discussed earlier) to purchase firearms. The article argues that if this loophole was closed and more stringent controls and checks were enforced, firearm deaths, injuries and the associated costs would be significantly reduced. In essence the argument for stricter gun control laws centres around the need to reduce firearms deaths and
The subject of gun control is hotly debated not only by the media and special interest groups but also by law enforcement agencies, and ordinary citizens alike. Some feel that since the Second Amendment was written before the advent of modern firearms that it is outdated. Others believe that it is an inalienable right that must be preserved in order for Americans to remain a free people. 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 infringed. ”(archives.gov)
The book talks about the history of gun control and focuses on debates from a dozen of distinguished specialist from around the world. It examined the Second Amendment and political climate surrounding laws that can impact the issue with gun violence. It focuses on exploring the problem with gun control from both the prospective of law enforcements and the public. The second source is a website "Gun Control Facts." By James D. Agresti and Reid K. Smith.
Conservative gun-rights advocates should acknowledge that if more states had a stringent universal background check, or if a federal law put these in place, more guns would be kept out of the hands of criminals and the mentally unstable (Goldberg). Even though Americans who are qualified to possess firearms shouldn't be denied the right to participate in their own defense. Guns can be used to do evil, but guns can also be used to do good (Goldberg). It’s important that people know this concept and how guns should be
Dhrumil Patel Prof: kevin Eddings English Comp. 1 Date: April, 18th 2017 Gun Control in United Sates Gun Control is the most debated argument in United States of America today. Many government officials still hold to the 2nd Amendment, which bluntly states, "... the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. " This being part of the Constitution, it bears a lot of credibility.
The Bill of Rights is something the American people hold close to them, especially their right to bear arms. Recently there has been a lot of debate over implementing gun regulations without infringing on the rights of the people. While a position of this is expressed in Wayne LaPierre’s “Universal Background Checks Mean Gun Registration, Gun Bans and Confiscation”, Jeffrey Toobin’s “So You Think You Know the Second Amendment” provides a more valid position evaluating the issue of gun control. Universal background checks are a big discussion lately in our country’s current climate.
Kenji Morizono Professor Martin Argumentative Essay 11/15/15 Gun Laws: Should they be stricter? The world should not spend anymore time following the fallacy that many people have. where they, instead of providing deterrents for people who want to commit a crime with a firearm. They put restrictions, on citizens who want a gun and leave them vulnerable to criminals who can, and most likely will, procure firearms from other sources.
The purpose of the Second Amendment The way in which we conceive our laws regarding guns is based solely on one important document: The Bill of Rights. The focus of this paper shall be mainly on the second amendment and how it shapes gun laws. This document will become a very important issue of the argument for less gun-controlling laws and to prove how the government is straying away from the original amendment set forth by the founding fathers of the United States.
The question on whether the 2nd Amendment in the U.S. should be changed or not has become a widely discussed and argued topic as of recent, due to recurring incidents of shootings occurring on U.S. soil by its own inhabitants. While many would be in support of the right to bear arms, including myself, I do believe that the current gun laws need to be made more restrictive than they are in their current state, for the sake of the country and the safety of its people. I’m well aware that I am not a U.S. citizen and that I have no say in what decisions are made there regarding the country’s constitution, but I feel that what I have to say is shared by many of America’s people and that it’s not only Americans that are affected by guns but also those who are visiting the country from abroad. There are many problems regarding America’s very unrestrictive gun laws at present, whether it’s the fact that there is no federal minimum age for possession of a long gun, or the fact that individuals don’t
Strict regulations and limitations have been pursued already and clearly do not suffice. Statics brought to attention by gun control opponents, show that gun control laws have done little to reduce crime rates. Several restrictions have been made on certain guns, considered as overly dangerous, though in the hands of an unstable criminal even a legal hunting gun can be deadly. Countless restrictions have been made, however people have still found ways around them. If people are unstable and determined enough, they will find a gun, regardless of the restrictions or regulations.
In today’s society, one of the most alienating issues in American politics is gun control. More specifically, the issue is whether or not guns should be banned in the United States. Some people would say that guns should be banned because it would reduce crime as a whole and keep citizens safer. These people, enthusiasts of stricter gun laws, fear being safe in their country where there are so many people who have access to guns. Opponents of this argument, however, also fear losing safety.
The use of and the owning of guns is a very hot and debated topic in society today. For many, this is a life and death debate due to the recent and numerous school shootings. These school shootings have caused an outcry for more gun control, specifically in relation to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Despite these calls, increased gun control is not the answer. Most gun owners’ use their guns responsibly and for good purposes.
Guns have become very accessible, even to those under the age limit. Not only does this pose a threat to the gun owner, but to the public population as well. Statistics reveal that “8.9 percent of American adults experience impulsive anger symptoms and have guns in their home” (Pollack 1). This explains the sudden mass shootings and homicides that result in dozens of deaths and injuries. Strengthening gun control laws will be a massive modification towards safer communities, thus a safer country.
Everyday in the United States, ninety families are changed forever; guns claim an average of ninety lives every day in the United States, 33,000 lives in a single year. Gun control has been a debate in the United States for many years and is constantly thrusted back into the public’s attention by horrific shootings. These shootings constantly cause individuals to petition the government to place stricter and stricter regulations of guns. However, these policies cannot be the solution to this problem. To determine a solution that will be both effective and constitutional, we must look at statistics and research that has been conducted to determine the best course of action.
Gun control laws have been a hot and controversial topic for some time now. Many different parties have argued with each other about applying laws that will control firearms in the U.S. I chose to write about this debate because I do not have a personal opinion on the matter, I do not own a gun or am an enthusiast, neither do I argue for gun restrictions. Many argue with points that it is written in our constitution our natural right to bear arms, while others argue that if we remove the ability to use a firearm or a weapon that is designed to kill someone, we will ultimately reduce or remove violent crimes in the U.S.. An article that argued for strict gun control demonstrated many of the author’s ideas through statistics and data, however,
Gun Ownership “the right to carry gun” in the United States is a debatable issue that has raised both negative and positive concerns. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, firearms are used over eighty times more often to protect a life than to take another unrightfully. Studies reveal that there are over two hundred million registered and unregistered gun owners despite sanction of sale and ownership by the government. The debate on gun ownership versus crime in the public escalates everyday due to felons committed by criminals on unarmed citizens.