Argumentative Essay: The Second Amendment

Today the Second Amendment is in the media more and more due to the recent up rise in crimes with firearms. Every person seems to have an opinion on whether our Second Amendment should be removed or it should not ever be touched. “A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunitions to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include the government.” (George Washington) The Second Amendment of the constitution reads "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." Today the actual meaning of the second amendment is still not fully clear. If you were to ask multiple people the definition of the second amendment, you would receive a different one from each person. Also, you would be able to determine whether they are pro or anti-gun

ownership. The United States is unique with their approach to gun control. Other countries do not have the opportunities to obtain guns like we here in the U.S. do; their laws are stricter.
In order for us to understand the Second Amendment better, it is best to break it down and define each part starting with a well-regulated militia, than the right to bear arms, and lastly shall not be infringed.
The phrase a well-regulated militia is defined as the property of something being in proper working order. (Brain T. Halomen) This phrase has been used for a long time, even before the Second Amendment came about. It was placed in the Second Amendment to render the government powerless. Today “well-regulated” militia would be our police departments, our National Guard, and military reserves.
Following, the right to bear arms, this is used to mean just that people had the right to bear arms for defense for themselves, the state, and for hunting purposes. Today, not everyone has this right. You cannot bear any arms if you have a felony charge, are under 18 years of age and 21 years of age for a handgun, if you have reason to be convicted of a violent crime, fugitive, incompetent, illegal alien, convicted of a DUI on three separate occasions in a five year span, lastly if you are subject of an active protection from abuse order (PFA). (Code section: Title 18)
Last but not least, “shall not be infringed” has multiple meanings one being that infringes means to narrow the right in any way and that the purpose for the “shall not be infringed” language was to prevent regulation of the right. (David E. Young) Or that to infringe relative to the fundamental right to keep and bear arms means only to completely destroy the right and that extensive “reasonable” regulations are legitimate and do not infringe the right. (David. E Young)
As you can see the Second Amendment is not as easy of a read as it seems. Words today have more than one or two meaning, as well as phrases. It is clear to see why people claim many situations to be “legal” with the excuse of the Second Amendment.
Over time, since the creation of the Second Amendment many things have changed in our societies. Today there is said to be about 310 million guns in circulation in the United States, that is close to one firearm per every man, woman, and child. Isn’t that crazy to think about? Of those 310 million guns, 114 million are handguns; 110 million are rifles; and 86 are shotguns. (Schuyler Velasco) There is a continuing debate over the interpretation of the Second Amendment and whether or not it is too easy to obtain firearms and the effects the Second Amendment today are too significant to keep the this amendment around.
Are guns too easily obtained in the U.S.? Well, that is a matter of opinion and everyone has one about this subject. You can walk into any establishment that sells guns in most U.S. states, be at least eighteen years old (unless trying to purchase a handgun in which you need to be 21 years old), fill out a form, they will make a quick five minute phone call to check for a clear background check, and you leave as a firearm owner.
Society today is very different than it used to be, we as a country have advanced in many aspects in a short period of time.

In the world we live in today it seems to be that young children and teen are desensitized to our gun culture. Gun violence is common and seen on daily basis in the U.S. People fear those that already have firearms, so they themselves purchase a firearm(s) for protection. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act is a provision of US federal law that requires a waiting period for handgun purchases and background checks on those who wish to purchase handguns. This came into effect on February 28th, 1994. The Brady Bill was created because of James Brady, who was shot during the attempted assassination of Ronald Regan in 1981, also the reason for why background checks are required for firearm purchases from licensed dealers. Today this act is no longer fully in effect, the part that is still used is the background check. The NRA or The National Rifle Association is on the richest and most powerful lobbies in the

country.
Is having possession of a firearm no longer a necessity? It was for feeding our families and protection from animals rather than people. Is our society becoming less safe as result of the Second Amendment? Should stricter gun control laws be set in place to develop a society that is less frustrated by the fear of firearm violence? Whether we favor and respect our right to the Second Amendment or we completely disagree with our gun control policies, is up to each individual to decide. The Second Amendment is controversial. It has its pro’s and con’s but so does everything else in life.