...Assault Weapons Ban Within the past few years there has been several mass shootings with in the United States like Sandy hook and Columbine. These crimes were done assault weapons, due to these crimes the proposal of an assault weapons ban is being brought up. This interests me as an active gun owner and activist. But with as much of an unbiased view I look for the answer. Should there be a ban on assault weapons? The most popular method for attempting to reduce violent crimes would be gun control. The idea for an assault weapons ban is on the rise. The recent proposal of an assault weapons ban is not the first within the U.S. Back in 1994 there was a federal assault weapon ban (Warrick). This ban was eventually repealed in 2004. This previous ban banned military style weapons with high volume magazines. With the thought of these bans brings up a question, is it constitutional for these bans. The second amendment gives U.S. citizens the right to bear arms. But with this right comes restrictions, it doesn’t mean that a citizen can waltz around with a firearm anywhere they please. Also there are restrictions on who can and cant own certain or any fire arms like felons and the mentally ill (Kelly). With the idea of gun control and assault weapons bans it’s to reduce the frequency of violent crimes committed with firearms. This comes from the idea that firearms are a more dangerous and lethal weapon compared to other possible weapons. But gun use and possession is a double...
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...Fallacies of the Assault Weapons Ban Abstract Violent crime is a growing problem in our country. Politicians are always looking for new laws to impose on their people in order to combat the problem. Unfortunately, some of these laws are written by individuals who do not possess a thorough knowledge of the topic they are attempting to regulate. One example of these laws is the Federal Assault Weapons Ban that was in place from 1994-2004. This law made it illegal to produce or purchase a firearm that had certain cosmetic features which had no effect of the lethality of the firearm when used as a weapon. The politicians had essentially banned firearms that they deemed looked scary. Now there is a push for a renewed Federal Assault Weapons Ban. It is imperative the people know that this infringement on our Second Amendment rights is constructed around banning firearms based on how they look instead of how effective they are as weapons. Fallacies of the Assault Weapons Ban There are many political issues in the world that incite strong emotional reactions from people from all walks of life. These issues can turn the tide of a political campaign because of the emotions involved with them. Quite often, the most emotion inspiring issues are related to individual rights and public safety. A major issue that is constantly debated by opposing interest groups is gun control. This is a topic that creates a firestorm of debate between people all over the country. On one side...
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...Analysis of Assault Weapon and Large-Capacity Magazine Bans Lawrence A. Cifarelli III University of New Haven Abstract The Assault Weapon and Large-Capacity Magazine Ban of 1994 is a policy that was implemented in order to reduce the homicide rate involving assault weapons and keep this type of weapon out of the hands of criminals. Also, large-capacity magazines were also banned, thus intending on reducing the homicide rate since criminals would not be able to have magazines that could carry more than 10 rounds of ammunition. Using various sources of data, the ban will be decided to have succeeded in its intended purpose or if it had failed given the data that will be scrutinized. The main thing that people wanted out of this ban is that less people will be killed, and there are many people who will take both sides of the fence in this argument. The homicide rates are posted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Supplementary Homicide Report and both clearly come to the same conclusion that from the time that the ban was put into effect, firearm homicide has decreased. As far as exactly how much of this decrease is accredited to the ban has been widely discussed but the policy cannot be both a failure and a success. Therefore the data will lead us to one evidence-based decision as to whether or not the ban was able to complete its intended purpose. Large-capacity magazines, listed as having the capability to carry more than 10...
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...02/07/2013 GOV 100 Paper Assignment #2 Gun Control: - S.150 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2013 Connecticut December 2012, a Bushmaster AR-15 assault weapon was involved in the deaths of twenty children. Colorado, an AR-15 assault rifle was involved in the killing of twelve innocent civilians at a movie theater. A TEC-DC 9, Hi-Point 995 Carbin, and a Savage 67H shotgun involved in killing eleven high school students along with one high school teacher in Colorado. The fundamental question here, is that why are such powerful assault weapons in the hands of civilians? Most Americans are against the possession of assault weapons in the hands of the civilians. Established in 1791, The 2nd Amendment in the Bill of Rights gives citizens the right to bear arms. The founding fathers had intended for American citizens to have the right to bear arms to protect themselves from a tyrannical government regime. Which was a legitimate concern during that time period that does not uphold presently. However, throughout history the American government makes changes to the constitution as the country goes through economic expansion and technological progress. A fine example is the 1965 voting act, which outlawed discriminatory voting. It was indeed a necessary and important act implemented to uphold the ideal of equality among all American citizens. As time and circumstances change, so must the terms and conditions that govern them. Essentially, the interpretation of the constitution must...
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...school shooting in Newtown Connecticut a movement started to ban assault style rifles, not only would this ban be ineffective but it would be a solution to an issue that does not exist. Assault rifles are used in a very small percentage of gun crimes in the United States and they are only cosmetically different from other rifles. There has been a ban on them in the past and it proved to be an ineffective measure that was allowed to expire without being renewed by congress. These types of superficial classifications of weapons is useless when deciding whether or not a gun should be allowed to be owned and attacking assault weapons is similar to attacking one brand of cars for being involved in traffic accidents. An assault rifle is a semiautomatic rifle that has a pistol grip, detachable magazine, and is styled after a military rifle. These rifles require a pull of the trigger for every round that needs to be fired unlike their automatic military counterparts that are able to fire multiple rounds for each pull of the trigger. Assault rifles come in a variety of calibers and styles which is likely one of the reason that gun enthusiasts have such a passion for them. The most recent proposed legislation attempted to limit magazine size to ten rounds, prohibit the sale of rifles with a pistol grip, and had a list of other criteria that if a rifle had two of the characteristics present would classify it as an assault rifle and illegal. These characteristics were largely cosmetic...
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...the life’s of 20 children and six adults. These shootings have stirred up the old debate about gun control and what the second amendment is and what it means to people. Politicians, including President Obama have claimed to create new laws that will reduce the gun violence in this country. Laws that include an assault weapons ban, background checks, in an attempt to keep guns out of the hands of people who may hurt someone or themselves. The opposition has claimed that some of these laws will violate their second amendment right to bear arms and are fighting against any new gun control measures. There are good potential outcomes of gun control and outcomes that might have a negative impact on citizens. A form of gun control that was law but failed to pass again is the ban on assault rifles. The ban on assault rifles will take those types of guns out of people who might do others harm. Most of the mass shooting that happened in 2012 didn’t involve assault rifles like the AR-15 but hand-guns. Along with the ban on assault rifles there will be tougher laws that will allow faster tracking of weapons. The new background checks and the electronic data of all sales of weapons and ammunition, will allow law enforcement to prevent future shootings. A proposal that will help prevent mass shooting at school is (2013) “The president’s proposals did include a $150 million request to Congress that would allow schools to hire 1,000 new police officers, counselors and psychologists” (Para...
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...at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, when Adam Lanza opened fire and fatally shot twenty children and six adults. What about the event that took place just six months before that in a theater in Aurora, Colorado? On July 20, 2012, James Holmes open fired during a shooting scene in The Dark Night Rises. His actions had killed 12 people and injured 58 others in the meantime. Saying guns are the cause of these shootings, is like saying that the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, were the cause of all those deaths, and that the planes momentarily crippled our nation. Even though changes in gun laws are necessary; Limiting magazine capacity, conducting background checks and reinstating the Assault Rifle Ban will not directly affect gun violence in America. Gun control controversies are not something that has just come about in the past few months. America has dealt with gun control issues for decades, as well as anti-gun groups that want to disarm America. In 2009 before Barack Obama got sworn into office for a second term, gun sales were on the rise around the country. Gun sales continued to rise mostly out of fear that once in office, Barack Obama would promote legislation to disarm the American citizens. In a news conference Mr. Obama stated, “Gun-owning Americans do not need to rush out and stock up before he is sworn in next month. I believe in common-sense gun safety laws, and I believe in the second amendment”. (Hoar, 2009, para...
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...with the most guns, It must make sure people are protected. As a starting point, if we want better gun regulation we should insist on a mandatory training and a licensing along with safe-and secure-gun storage. Gun owners should be required to regularly refresh their training and renew their permits, with requirements at least as stringent as those governing renewal of your driver's license. 2 Mental health treatment: The United States should ensure accessible, high quality widely accessed mental health treatment for people who carry a gun. While gun ownership has been rising, mental health services across the country have been slashed. 3 Sensible gun laws: Ban high capacity magazines, expand the 24 hour gun background check, reinstitute the assault weapons ban. It is important to show that assault weapons belongs on the battlefield and not in schools, not in movie theaters, nor in the streets. 4 Public health solutions: Recognize gun violence as a critical and preventable public health problem. Gun violence is a leading cause of premature death in the United States. Yet, unlike other preventable causes of death, the politicians haven't mastered the way to deal with it. Even if applied partially those points could help reduce gun violence in the United states however we are dealing with it from an European point of view and visiting website such as NRA.com or confronting opinion with american I realised it is important to also change the point of...
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...Formal Essay #1 October 12 2013 Gun Control Debates involving gun control began in the early 1960s, since then many laws and regulations have been created (“Gun Control Time Line”). However, while crimes involving the use of guns start increasing, is changing the laws going to end the violence and make people feel safer? There have been many different media sources and political debates throughout our country questioning if increasing the laws will stop the crime or not. A problem in our society that we may all suffer from is in our amendment system. Our second amendment, established in 1791, states that “everyone is entitled to the right to bear arms.” (“Gun Control Time Line”) Recently, with everyone hearing and seeing gun violence on the rise has pushed the issues of changing our laws. With nearly all states considering all of the available options, many arguments concerning whether or not laws will reduce violence, need to be thought out to determine the best for society. Debates that support changing our laws within our country, feel as if our government is losing control as we all see crime rates rising. People argue that something needs to be done to stop gun violence. Many people have said that, guns do not kill; criminals who use them are the problem (“What the Public Really Thinks about Guns”). Individuals across the nation argue that current laws today are actually allowing criminals to get access to guns that are used for crimes. Those who are in favor of changing...
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...Bob Baumgardner Rough Draft 8.3 Persuasive Writing Gun control laws in the United States need to be closely evaluated and revised without infringing upon the 2nd Amendment rights of any law abiding citizen in the U.S. so the real issue of unnecessary tragic events and violent crime statistics can be positively impacted. Extending background checks is a good start. Affording more help to individuals with mental disabilities or emotional distress. Most importantly, more attention needs to be directed to illegal possession and sale of firearms. Criminal background checks should be performed upon any sale or transfer related to any and all aspects of firearms. Any and all transfers of a firearm should be treated in like as a motor vehicle sale, as in it should have a title. At the minimum, a firearm sale between to citizens should be in witness and support by a person with an FFL. Ammunition should require equal background checks as the sale of a rifle or handgun. Someone who purchases bulk amounts of ammunition and has no record of owning a firearm can be scrutinized and questioned of the motives for the purchase of the firearms. One system that needs to be overhauled is the way we handle, care for and resources afforded to the mentally ill in this country. Statistically, violent crimes involving the murder of multiple innocent bystanders are committed by an individual who is mentally ill. These individuals should or should not be on medications that alter their mental...
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...name GOVT XXX Professor XXX date To Ban or Not to Ban Assault Weapons? That is the Ultimate Question… 1966, twenty-five year old Charles Joseph Whitman climbed to the top of the clock tower in Austin and killed sixteen and injured thirty innocent students at the University of Texas. 1991, George Hennard, thirty-five, drove up to the Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas and opened fire on forty innocent patrons. Twenty-three of Hennard’s shots were fatal. 1999, citizens in the small Colorado County of Douglas were mortified after witnessing the massacre of thirteen students at Columbine High School at the hands of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. 2007, the campus of Virginia Tech was forever changed when twenty-three year old Seung-Hui Cho who opened fire killing thirty-two students and teachers. 2012, Adam Lanza shocked the entire world when he took the lives of twenty students and six teachers at an elementary school in Connecticut (CNN). Horrific, terrifying, and saddening all describe the above-mentioned events. And as would be expected, each one of these events brought forth the question, “Where does the America draw the line between personal freedoms and the safety and well-being of her citizens?” The Second Amendment promises, “[…] the right of people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” But, the recent shooting in Connecticut has caused the extremely emotionally charged arguments both for and against the ban of assault weapons to resurface within the United States...
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...Gun Control Hypothesis Paper By Christopher Fields Intro to Sociology Prof. Hennington Outline Hypothesis/ opening statement My opinions Love-hate relationship Crime rates Democrat Opinion Republican Opinion Evidence 1 Evidence 2 Evidence 3 Closing statement References After recent school shootings in America, the American people are starting to wonder when is the government going to stricken the gun control laws. After recent studies I will tell you which party republican or democrat is for the stricken the laws and which of them is not. Personally, I feel like you should be judged by your actions. If your criminal background portrays you as violent you should not be allowed to have a gun. On the other hand, if your have never shown any act of violence you should be allowed to have a gun. Crimes such as fraud, drug possession, and other mediocre crimes should not count. Everyone deserves the right to protect themselves, their family or even a stranger. If gun control laws are stricken gun violence will decrease. I’m going to prove this by using the Social Conflict approach which is a macro-oriented paradigm in sociology that views society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and social change. Guns have a love-hate relationship with society some people fear guns and some people feel safe around guns. Most people fear guns because people think that they are going to get shot and killed for no reason. While others use guns for safety which is...
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...Gun Control COMM 215 October 14, 2013 Gun Control The United States is in a controversy of whether or not the Second Amendment is protecting the country or killing it. The United States owns approximately 250 million guns, nearly one for each citizen, and increases about seven million more each year. Numerous experts believe that the Second Amendment in the Constitution is rational and legal. However, they do not condone maliciously shooting people. Many lives could be saved with stricter gun control laws and educational requirements legislated. A well-intended and justifiable right during its era, the “right to bear arms” today needs common sense reform. During the late 1700s, founding fathers were not certain about the future success of the “Union,” nor did they have the legalities fully worked out. Trusts between the states were hit and miss and few if any trusted “big” government. The possibility of invasion was frighteningly real; the Second Amendment was put in place to make sure that a citizen’s militia could defend the principles of the Constitution (10- arguments for gun control, 2013). However, they did not say that citizens could go around shooting people and claiming that the Second Amendment protects them. Society’s problem is not the guns; it is the people handling them and the laws that surround their use and ownership. The bottom line is simple; nations with zero to few requirements/laws in force to regulate gun ownership will have more...
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...hasn't banned Assault weapons. Although some people argue that it violates the second amendment, banning Assault weapons keeps the streets clean and keeps mass shootings to a minimum. How different are Assault weapons vs normal weapons? Who do we blame for the crime the gun or the person using it? People believe that Assault weapons are automatic fire guns, However there actually completely different. Even the such popular ar-15 the best-selling semi- automatic rifle in the us are not machine guns or automatic fire firearms (” James B. Jacobs Why ban Assault weapons”) Yes, not all Assault weapons are automatic fire weapons. However, even semi automatic weapons shouldn’t go in the wrong hands. On January 17, 1989, a disturbed drifter with a king history of criminality and mental instability, used a semiautomatic weapon to...
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...CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES | POLICY RESEARCH PAPER | POLS 462 PUBLIC POLICY | | Victor Chang | 3/18/2013 | [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.] | It can be easily argued that we are currently living in a culture of violence. As we watch, read or listen to the news; daily incidents of individuals becoming victims of gun violence trumps the headlines. With tragic incidents such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut that occurred in December of 2012, as well as the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado in July of 2012 occurring less than six months away from each other, prompted debate on a national level regarding the importance of gun control and mental illness. Other highly publicized mass shootings, such as the one that occurred in Tucson, Arizona in January of 2011, involving former US Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the mass shooting at Virginia Tech, along with the two events mentioned above, “all shared two common characteristics: all four shooters were mentally ill, and all four used guns with large capacity magazines, allowing them to fire multiple rounds of ammunition without reloading (Barry, 2013).” As the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to bear arms, the issue at hand is: how can the government...
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