Milestones in Federal Gun Control Legislation

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A growing number of publicized tragedies caused by gun violence have caused a great stir in the American community. Recently, President Barack Obama has made proposals to tighten the regulation of and the restrictions on the possession of weapons in America to lessen these tragedies. Should the legislative branch decide in favor of his proposals, all American citizens who do or wish to own the type of weapons in question or who use current loopholes in existing policy would be directly affected. His proposals, which are to “require background checks for all gun sales, strengthen the background check system for gun sales, pass a new, stronger ban on assault weapons, limit ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, finish the job of getting armor-piercing bullets off the streets, give law enforcement additional tools to prevent and prosecute gun crime, end the freeze on gun violence research, make our schools safer with new resource officers and counselors, better emergency response plans, and more nurturing school climates, [and] ensure quality coverage of mental health treatment, particularly for young people,” have been cause for a large amount of recent debate (whitehouse.gov). The debate at hand is due to an apparent opposition to the rights granted by the second amendment to the United States Constitution. This 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.” Being as the article was ratified in 1791, the language used is far different than that which is commonly used today. For this reason, the amendment itself is a source of debate between those with liberal and conservative points of view. For those who take a libe... ... middle of paper ... ...mounts. Works Cited "Milestones in Federal Gun Control Legislation." N.d. Infoplease. Web. 4 April. 2014. . National Rifle Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 April. 2014. . "Now is the time." The White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 April. 2014. . "Pros & Cons of Gun Ownership & Use Laws for Individuals." About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 April. 2014. . US Const. amend. II. Print. Wikepedia. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Wikepedia. Web. 3 April. 2014. . . "Written Testimony of the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence." Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 April. 2014. .

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