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The United States Constitution was constructed from a set of rules which secure the basic rights of all United States citizens. These rights are considered as the "inalienable" and should be exercised as indicated within the documents. The creation of the Bill of Rights sparked the beginning of the gun control debate. These debates are usually done by educated citizens which reflects this topic for public policies through representative institutions. Furthermore, the process of these debates in politics is known as Deliberative democracy. One side of the debate argues about gun rights and the other side argues about gun controls. "Gun rights" refers to the right to keep and bear arms whereas "gun control" refers to the policies and laws that …show more content…
are enacted to regulate the manufacture, sale, possessions, and the use of firearms. According to the Washington Post, "Everyone knows Americans own more guns than any other nation.
There are an absolutely insane number of guns in the United States: More than 300 million, more than one per person." Therefore, it is not surprising that America has the highest death rate due to gun violence in the world. The danger that comes with guns demonstrates that stricter gun laws need to be enacted in the United states. Through this paper first I will discuss the alternative interpretation of the second amendment; Second, I will talk about gun violence. While "the NRA (National Rifle Association) believes that every law-abiding citizen is entitled to the ownership and legal use of firearms", I will argue that the production, sale, and possession of assault weapons for private citizens should be banned in the U.S. The recent shootings at Las Vegas and Parkland school in Florida have indicated the urgent needs for stricter regulations that will make it more difficult for citizens to possess a …show more content…
firearm. Gun control is a delicate and controversial subject that Americans have been arguing about for years. As we know, the most controversial right in the Bill of rights is the one stated in the second amendment. 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" (Bessette, 135). First, I want to say that the aspect of this amendment that needs to be emphasized will be on these two words 'well-regulated' and 'militia' instead of 'right of the people to keep and bear arms.' These two words give modern day politics a context for which it was written. In the 18th century when the constitution was written, the founding Fathers had a fear of large federal government because that time the idea of a union of sovereign states was new and potentially dangerous. Though the fear of state militia was relevant in the 18th century, this fear is unnecessary today. However, "the second amendment right to keep and bear arms was one of those exceptions until the court ruled in 2010 that it is also applied to the states" (Bessette, 139). Moreover, the mention of militia in 2nd amendment suggests a military force from civil population. This clarifies that the second amendment is predicated on groups, not individuals. The reason this amendment centers on groups is because at this point in history, the threat of a standing army was extremely prevalent. The notion of a militia points to a citizen's army of self-defense that was under government authority. It is government responsibility to secure domestic peace, public order, and national security. Therefore, allowing this prevalence of weapons and guns to go unregulated has led to a gun violence epidemic that has spread from cities. Also, "Congress and presidents have judged that national security justified some restrictions of the rights that Americans normally enjoy" (Bessette, 170). Therefore, some restrictions can be made on right of the people to keep and bear arms to protect our country when informed citizens and public officials deliberately to identify and promote the common good. Furthermore, the government should keep assault weapons out of private citizens hands which can lower the increasing occurrences of the barbaric public slayings.
According to the ongoing analysis by The Washington Post, "estimates that since Columbine, more than 150,000 students in at least 170 primary or secondary schools have experienced a campus shooting". There were several other mass shootings that took the lives of many people all over America. In short, loopholes in gun control laws are allowing prohibited people to access firearms easily. As the country with the largest stockpile of privately owned firearms, we aren’t doing much to prevent them from falling in the wrong hands. The deadly attack in Parkland, Florida, for example was the recent mass shooting occurred in February in which seventeen people were killed and seventeen more were wounded, making it one of the world's deadliest massacres. Another incident in Las Vegas in which 58 people were killed and more than 500 were wounded when Stephan Paddock from a perch high in a hotel opened fire onto a crowd of concertgoers. According to the New York Times, "a vast- majority of guns used in 19 recent mass shootings were actually bought legally and with a federal background check. At least nine gunman had criminal histories or documented mental health problems that didn't prevent them from obtaining their weapons". Even though in Parkland, Florida, Nikolas Cruz who was identified by witnesses and arrested had
mental issues had legally bought a gun. Moreover, in Las Vegas incident, Larry Buchanan reports that Mr. Paddock legally purchased 33 firearms from October 2016 to September 2017 in which most of those guns are rifle. The big issue is that such purchases don’t prompt reports to the bureau because there is no federal law requiring a seller to alert the bureau when a person buys multiple guns. However, these convicted criminals and mentally ill people are acquiring firearms without any difficulty and are using them for the wrong reasons mainly because of weak laws that regulate the sale of firearms. To reduce gun violence, we should debate legislation because it is our duty as public servants to do everything we can to stem the tide of gun violence. Also, the government should introduce new methods to expand background checks nationwide to keep guns out of the hands of those at- risk of hurting themselves and others. Moreover, the ban on assault weapons is backed heavily by public opinion, major organizations, and even law enforcement. Back in 1994, The Federal Assault Weapons Ban and the Brandy Handgun Violence Prevention Act are a subjection of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, signed by President Bill Clinton which included a prohibition on the manufacture for civilian use of certain semi- automatic firearms which are assault weapons, as well as certain high capacity ammunition magazines. After the assault weapons ban was expired by 2004, mass shooting increased. In the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in the modern U.S. history, "most Americans regardless of party favor agreed to tighten restrictions on firearms" according to a new NPR/Ipsos poll. While Republicans and Democrats alike support specific restrictions, the general idea of tighter gun control is much more firmly supported by Democrats than by anyone else. According to the Washington Post, "a number of surveys show that bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines are popular among the general- public. A 2017 Pew Research Center Poll found that 68 percent support a ban on high-capacity magazines." On the other hand, in recent years congressional Republicans have been more focused on expanding access to guns, rather than limiting it. Even though S.A. Miller in Washington times reports that "President Trump remains opposed to an assault weapon ban as he considers steps to prevent gun violence in schools. He has floated ideas for several measures, such as raising the age to buy rifles from 18 to 21 and expanding background checks better screen for mental illness." In fact, reports from the federal election commission shows donations to the NRA's Political victory fund tripled from January to February. On the other hand, people who are supporters of NRA says strict gun control laws won't affect crime rates. This association has a strong pull on legislation because it has many lobbyists and supporters in government. However, the stricter laws can lower murder rates, for example, in Britain and Australia have lower gun violence because they enforced stricter laws. Although outlaws would still own guns but any efforts to take the guns out from the wrong people would benefit future generation. However, the CSGV which is coalition to stop gun violence is dedicated to the total removal of guns from the hands of citizens, with a few exceptions. The CSGV is trying very hard to put gun banning legislation in the law. They believe that if there are fewer guns out on the streets, then there will be fewer gun crimes committed. In recent years, mass shootings are increasing with the increase in the number of guns in America. People believed that they have the right to buy guns according to the second amendment, but they don’t understand the exact meaning of the second amendment and misused their rights. To reduce gun violence in United States, we should ban the sale and possession of assault weapons. Government should implement new laws which would restrict and prohibit private citizens in the United States to own and use firearms. Even though in 2010, "the court ruled that the second amendment recognizes the right of individuals, and not just militias, to possess firearms for self-defense" (Bessette, 171), but to reduce mass shooting government should deliberate for the public interest to save people's lives. Works Cited Bessette, J.M. and Pitney, J.J.J. American Government and Politics. Wardsworth: Boston, MA. Miller, S.A. "Trump Still against Assault Weapon Ban." The Washington Times. 22 Feb. 2018, Thursday. Kurtzleben, Danielle. "Poll: Majorities of Both Parties favor Increased Gun Restrictions." Heard on Morning Edition. 13 Oct. 2017, www.npr.org/2017/10/13/.../poll-majorities-of-both-parties-favor-increased-gun-r... Ingraham, Christopher. "It's Time to Bring Back the Assault Weapons Ban." The Washington Post. 15 Feb. 2018, 1.23pm. Erickson, Amand. "Everyone Knows Americans Own More Guns than other nations." The Washington Post. 4 Oct. 2017, 3.52pm. Buchanan, Larry and Keller Josh. "How They Got Their Guns." The New York Times. 16 Feb. 2018.
In Mallory Simon article "Gun Debate: Where is the Middle Ground?" Amardeep Kaleka made a vow: He would do whatever he could to ensure nobody ever went through what his family had. When his father was one of the victims of the Sikh shooting. Kaleka asked a panel of polar opposite views if there was a middle ground. Though they had opposite views the panel was able to come to an agreement that enforcing background checks is the middle ground. It will take a lot of money and resources but they feel it is the best option/first step to improving gun control in America.
The United State of America, established by the Founding Father who lead the American Revolution, accomplished many hardship in order to construct what America is today. As history established America’s future, the suffering the United State encountered through history illustrate America’s ability to identify mistakes and make changes to prevent the predictable. The 2nd Amendment was written by the Founding Father who had their rights to bear arms revoked when they believe rising up to their government was appropriate. The Twentieth Century, American’s are divided on the 2nd Amendment rights, “The right to bear arms.” To understand why the Founding Father written this Amendment, investigating the histories and current measures may help the American people gain a better understanding of gun’s rights in today’s America.
The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms, but only in cases of self-defense and hunting for food. However, the use of guns has drastically changed since 1791 when the amendment was implemented. Today, guns are not solely used in their intended ways. Since 2010, over eighty-seven school shootings have occurred within American grade schools, high schools, and universities, resulting in approximately 107 injuries and 109 murders of innocent students. The two most deadly shootings in the world occurred in the United States: the Virginia Tech University Massacre which left thirty-two dead and Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting which left twenty-eight dead. Each new shooting prompts a debate about gun control laws and leaves citizens wondering about the accessibility of guns; any United States citizen over the age of twenty-one that does not have any previous felonies is able to easily receive a gun license. Forty-nine out of the sixty-one school shootings that occurred between 1982 and 2012 legally obtained firearms. The statistics become even more outstanding: seventy nine percent of all shooters have been diagnosed with a mental illness or disability, including the Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook shooters, Seung-Hui Cho and Adam Lanza. Cho and Lanza were diagnosed with mental illnesses and disabilities, depression and autism, respectively. Even so, they were still able to acquire the guns they needed because extensive mental health background checks did not and still do not exist; Cho purchased his own weapon and Lanza stole his mother’s guns. Although the case studies of Lanza and Cho are only two out of the many school shootings, they should be considered prime examples to illustrate the necessity to add stri...
... or someone else’s. Our constitution gives us the right to “have a well- regulated militia …the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Is carrying a gun our constitutional right or is our American constitution putting us all in danger? Every Tom, Dick and Harry will always have their own opinion on whether guns are a way to save lives or take them away.
Opposing sides have for years fought over the laws that govern firearms. For the purposes of this paper "Gun Control" is defined as policies enacted by the government that limit the legal rights of gun owners to own, carry, or use firearms, with the intent of reducing gun crimes such as murder, armed robbery, aggravated rape, and the like. So defined, gun control understandably brings favorable responses from some, and angry objections from others. The gun control debate is generally publicized because of the efforts of the Pro-Gun Lobby or the Anti-Gun Lobby.
In the United States there has been, “372 mass shootings in the US in 2015, killing 475 people and wounding 1,870” (BBC). Some recent shootings in the United States, for instance are Sandy Hook, Antigo high school in Wisconsin where there was one death and two injured, Madison high school in Ohio where 4 kids under the age of 15 were shot and injured, etc. One shooting in particular that will be focused on is
According to Mallory Simon in her article “Gun Debate: Where Is the Middle Ground?” there is a necessity to find common ground in the gun debate in America after incidents like the shooting at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and the “school massacre” in Newtown, Connecticut. Amardeep Kaleka, whose father was gunned down in the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin, questions whether representatives from panelists such as the National Rifle Association, the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence, law enforcement representatives, and other participants can agree on anything. Sandra Froman of the National Rifle Association believes there is common ground; however, when Dan Gross of the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence mentioned common ground when
Although the Second Amendment prevents the federal government from completely banning guns in America, limited restrictions are allowed on the distribution and possession of firearms. Certain groups of people such as criminals, the mentally unstable, and soldiers dishonorably discharged from the military are prohibited from possessing or interacting with firearms (Flynn). These restrictions are enforced by background checks in some states on both a state and federal level. However, gun laws vary from state to state and are often not thorough enough; the background checks are flawed due to lack of information and misinformation, and guns can easily end up in the hands of criminals and malevolent individuals. The ease of obtaining a firearm in America fosters crime and a dangerous environment. Hence, the Second Amendment should be reinterpreted so that stricter gun laws can be implemented because modern citizens do not require guns, current background checks are flawed, gun...
The issue of stricter gun control laws is an on-going battle that continues to be debated at both the local and federal levels. Regardless of one’s viewpoint on the matter, this subject makes for a very passionate debate on both sides. At question is whether or not stricter laws and regulations help reduce the number of gun-related crimes. Obviously, the answers vary greatly depending on the strongly held viewpoint of the responders.
The major reason that causes violence, death and the sufferance of people in the United States are the weapons--the guns. According to the statistic Thetrace.org provided, as of December 23, a total of 12,942 people had been killed in the U.S in 2015 in a gun homicide, unintentionally. In another word, 36 Americans are dead from a gunshot on average day, Thetrace.org stated. Even worse, “there were 372 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2015, killing 475 people and wounding 1,870” according to the Mass Shooting Tracker, which catalogues these incidents. Mass shootings — as measured by four or more people shot, regardless of total fatalities — have taken place in nearly 100 metro areas over the past 12 months,
Over the course of the past few years, mass killings have escalated in the United States, causing an immense uproar from the many American citizens demanding a solution. Due to the two conflicting sides regarding the solution, gun control; many are not able to come to an agreement. While some argue gun control is the only way to help stop the mass killings that are on the high rise, others argue that it is against the Constitution and against one’s rights to not be able to bear arms. Gun control, although portrayed as the only solution to the mindless killing, is not the answer to today’s violence; in fact many believe that stricter gun control enables more mass shootings to take place (Statistics show mass shootings more frequent with strict gun control). The problem is not gun ownership, it is the increasing tendency towards violence in the United States (Stone).
Every day some news related to gun violence are being heard all over the world. Shooting in driveway, public places, schools, homicide and suicide are some of different types of gun violence. Shooting on people and killing them is a big issue in the world and different comments are provided about that. One of the most important of them is about gun control laws. Stingl (2013) says “The term gun control as it is used in the United States refers to any action taken by the federal government or by state or local governments to regulate, through legislation, the sale, purchase, safety, and use of handguns and other types of firearms by individual citizens.” According to this idea gun control laws should be stricter and people should not be able to have access to guns easily. However, there are many other people who believe this idea is not a good solution and never help. This essay will demonstrate for and against views about the topic. People who agree with this idea consider: firstly, stricter laws will reduce violence and gun control means crime control. Secondly, some research shows people with gun are more at risks of getting shot. Thirdly, guns can always be misused by their owners and finally, stricter law is the best and the faster way to control crime and make community safe. While opponents say first of all, guns are necessary for people safety and protection. Secondly, guns are not the only tools for killing and violence; there are other weapons too and finally, gun ownership is human rights.
Gun control is one of the most divisive issues in the United States. Every time there is a massacre, the arguments for and against inflame the national debate but without producing results. It is an ideological chasm separating the two camps. Some defend an eternal and intangible right, the others are alarmed at its social cost. For some, the responsibility is individual, and the State must be confined to a role of arbitrator while for the others it is collective and the State is entitled to put in place a preventive policy. In the chaos a lot of chatter also goes towards background checks as today they are considered one of the most basic and important parts of gun ownership. However,it is still a large looming dilemma in the fight
The United States is one of the only countries with the continuing problem of mass murder. 58 people lost their lives and more than 50 were injured when a man opened fire at an outdoor country music festival in Las Vegas on October 1st, 2017 (Hanley 6). This is one of countless massacres that have occurred in the United States. It is no surprise when one turns the TV on in the morning and a “News Flash” story pops up on the latest shooting. Gregory Kate of USA Today states that there has been greater than 200 events of mass murder in the past 10 years. It is no secret that guns are an easily accessible weapon in the United States, and in numerous other countries that is not the case. Most people can obtain a firearm with a simple, online background check on a computer. Within minutes the check is completed. Kate states the only people to be declined would be: "felons, fugitives, drug addicts, the mentally ill, illegal immigrants, some legal immigrants, people
In the U.S. Constitution, it states that we have our own right to bear arms. The right to bear arms has two meanings. One is to defend the country. The other is to protect the right of the people. The 2nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is always being overlooked, therefore, causes the issue in resulting why guns are being abused throughout society. Although, guns can be routinely be effective, especially for war purposes, however, guns rather carry significant harm than they are beneficial. In America, we heard concerning the countless tragedies over the last decade involving the misuse of guns. Following the mass shooting tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary School to present day, as stated in The Guardian, it states, “More than 90,000 Americans have been shot and killed by guns; more than 210,000 have been shot and injured; and there have been more than 1,000 mass shooting incidents where four or more people have been shot at one time” (Smith).