...Michelle Evans History of Gun Control July 9, 2011 Chapter IV History of Gun Control In the 1960s after the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, gun control became a major subject of public passion and controversy. To some people gun control is a crime issue, to others it is a rights issue. Gun control is a safety issue, an education issue, a racial issue, and a political issue, among others. Within each of these issues there are those who want more gun control legislation and those who want less. On both sides of this issue opinions range from moderate to extreme. Guns are not for everyone. Certain individuals cannot handle a firearm safely, and some individuals choose to use firearms inappropriately. Our society has passed laws regulating the ownership and use of firearms, and more legislation is being considered. Most of this legislation restricts, to some degree, the rights of individuals to possess or use firearms. Some restrictions may be necessary, but some recent legislation has gone too far. Society benefits from firearms in the hands of responsible citizens. Attempts to keep firearms away from these citizens do more harm than good. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution 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.” The Founding Fathers included this in our bill of Rights because...
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...Gun Ban Debate Gun ban debate In America guns have been a part of the country’s society since it’s birth. Throughout history the citizens of the US have used firearms to protect the nation, protect their families, to hunt for food and to engage in sporting activities. The issue of Guns and gun control takes on a proportion of extreme magnitude. Weighing the rights and liberties of the individual against the welfare and safety of the public has always been a precarious balancing act. In the United States, gun control is one of these tumultuous issues that has both sides firmly entrenched in their positions. Those parties in favor of gun ownership and the freedom to use and keep arms, rely on the fact that the provision for such rights is enshrined in their constitution. So what is gun control?. Gun control is the effort to restrict or limit the possession and use of guns. The gun control debate may be one of the most important issues in our society. Regardless of whether people support it or not, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that the 2nd Amendment restrains the government’s ability to limit the kind of immediate ban of handguns that has existed in some parts of America such as Washington DC. "Guns don't kill people, people kill people" That's the campaign that the National Riffle Association made. It's a compelling argument whether it might be right , or it might be wrong . ...
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...Crime and guns. The two seem to go hand in hand with one another. But are the two really associated? Do guns necessarily lead to crime? And if so do laws placing restrictions on firearm ownership and use stop the crime or protect the citizens? These are the questions many citizens and lawmakers are asking themselves when setting about to create gun control laws. The debate over gun control, however, is nothing new. In 1924, Presidential Candidate, Robert La Follete said, “our choice is not merely to support or oppose gun control but to decide who can own which guns under what conditions.” Clearly this debate still goes on today and is the very reason for the formation of gun control laws. Guns are extremely powerful weapons. They can cause destruction, harm or even death. They can be used to defend and protect or to threaten and kill. Any way you look at it, guns are powerful tools, not only physically but socially. As college students it is important to stay abreast of the current events and issues circulating our country today, one of which is the controversial issue of gun control. It is extremely important to pay attention to where gun control laws are headed. The directions they take not only affect our nation and society but our future as well as we all move to communities and begin to raise families. So why is gun control such a hot debate? Perhaps to answer this question it would be important to look at some key statistics concerning handguns in our society. In this...
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...Gun Control: The Battle Rages On Tyler D. Scott Ozarks Technical Community College Abstract This paper discusses and is centered around the on-going debate over gun control, I directly address how each major political party views this subject and what I believe the United States Government should do to be able to best combat this tremendous issue. I use research from multiple sources that contrast each side of the argument and give an overall insight into the world of modernized gun control. Gun Control: The Battle Rages On With the Second Amendment giving American citizens the rights to bear arms, and approximately fifty percent of Americans owning some form of a firearm, issues involving the ownership and possession of guns have led to heated debates in American society. Most notably is the issue of gun control. Many feel that the some form of gun regulation is necessary in order to lower the level of gun related violence in the country. On the other hand, the opponents of gun control feel that it would be an infringement on their second amendment rights. The outcome and extent of gun control has strong political implications because it basically determines the present day meaning of the Second Amendment. While each side has strong points to their arguments, one quote by writer Michael Warfel basically sums up the need for gun control. He writes, “An individual’s right to own and bear arms must be balanced by the greater social needs of a society” (Warfel, 2000, p...
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...Navarrete Essay 3 April 23, 2015 Gun Laws Law breaking and guns, the two seem to always be associated with each other. But are the two really connected? Do laws placing restrictions on firearm ownership really protect the average citizen from other citizens? These are only some of the questions many citizens and lawmakers are asking themselves when setting about to create gun control laws. The debate over gun control is always changing, and is in need of some improvement before all hell breaks lose. Clearly this debate still goes on today and is the very reasoning for the formation of gun control laws. Guns are extremely potent weapons. They can cause destruction, cause death, and most importantly, cause a city to retaliate. However, they can be used to defend and protect. No matter what way you look at it, guns are powerful tools, not only physically but also in society. As college students, it is important to stay up-to- date of the current events and issues circulating our country today, one of which is the controversial issue of gun control. It is extremely important to pay attention to where gun control laws are headed. With all the recent shootings in the past years, there is something to be said about how easy it is to acquire a gun. The courses they take will not only affect our nation and society but also the future and the families that plan to raise children. The gun war has been going on for years and new actions...
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...December 7, 2012 Gun Control Obviously, guns have been a very big part of our history but because it was use inappropriately gun control was created. Guns are weapons that can take a life in an instant (“Does Gun Control…”). Guns have been part of American society since the arrival of the first European settlers (“Topic Overview…”). Arms in this country are part of our history, part of our culture. It has been passed down, generations to generations, as just an important part of who we are (“Topic Overview…”). Prior to the civil war, gun control laws were enacted in the slaves states principally due to the fear of firearms in the hands of free blacks and slaves who might rebel against their masters (“Special Interview…”). In the 1960’s after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, gun control became a major subject of safety. Certain individuals cannot handle firearm safely, and some individuals choose to use firearms inappropriately. Our society has passed laws regulating the ownership and use of firearms, and more legislation is being considered (“Special Interview…”). Throughout history violence has plagued the human race. We have passed laws to protect society, but the violence continues. Laws attempt to change human behavior, but laws are not able to change human nature. Laws are not enough to protect people from aggression. Xiong 2 While gun control advocates contend that guns leads to crime, injury, and...
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...Technology vs. Guns: The Unseen Side Effect Gun control is a topic that is at the tip of every politicians tongue in today’s society. With mass shooting seemingly on the rise it is no wonder why many are in an almost frantic mental state to find the cure for this pandemic. Any sane person can tell you that it is a great idea to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals and the mentally unstable, but the question remains of how? With the aid of computers and a mass network of online information, many pro gun control advocates are pushing for laws that require more stringent background checks with the use of these online databases. But what if these same technologies that may help us regulate the ownership of firearms, also lead to a more easily access to firearms in the future? And will more laws for gun ownership make the country a safer place? First and foremost, do gun control laws work? According to the statistics it would seem to be so. But in order to grasp the issue fully, it is imperative to first look at the existing gun control laws that are in effect. There are numerous laws both at the federal and the state level restricting the sale, purchase and use of guns. Although they may vary from state to state there are basic federal laws that are in place nationwide. These laws include that no person convicted of a crime can own a gun and also that a person must be 21 or older to purchase a handgun. One of the laws having the most profound impact recently...
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...Gun Control Anthony D. Torres COM 220 August 5th, 2012 Mary Trapasso Does gun control affect the way we live? Every year, in the United States, there are over thirty thousand deaths attributed to gun violence. Gun control and its laws are designed to save lives while ensuring a safer and more civilized society. Although these laws do nothing to prevent crimes; they are in place to ensure that those who violate them are punished and removed from society, thereby preventing future crimes. Supporters and opponents of gun control agree guns should be kept out of the hands of criminals. The ability for people to use a firearm while defending themselves from harm or possible death at the hands of a criminal is not debatable, it is a Constitutional Right. Gun control laws save lives and continue to have positive effects within our nation. The Second Amendment in the US Constitution grants law abiding citizens the right to own a gun for self-defense. The amendment states that “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” (Find Law, 2012). Even though it is a right to bear arms, the purchase of firearms has become more difficult and almost impossible for people with criminal backgrounds. Those with felony convictions, fugitives from justice, dishonorably discharged from the military, illegal aliens in the United States, convicted of domestic violence, and people who possess restraining...
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...people who want more gun control laws and the people who are against it. Gun control is where the “government policies influence the availability and the use of firearms to the general public or the distinct subsets of the population such as minors, convicted felons, and the mentally ill” (Brian Odom). It has been around for many years and it started with the first comprehensive federal gun law “Gun Control Act of 1968(GCA)” which enacted in response to the racial and other unrest of the 1960’s. It was mainly to keep a sharp restriction on the sale of guns and the ammunition across state lines. Now with a better insight and history over gun control, it will be easier to have a good understanding over it. There are also the people that want stricter gun control laws which in theory should decrease crime but also because the kids can get a hold of their parent’s guns which potentially can result in a deadly accident. Reasons for there to be less gun control is because taking guns away would just lead to the vast majority of people being unarmed when being robbed also the criminals can always get a hold of guns whether that be legally or illegally. The gun control laws should be less strict because the laws would not drop crime rates and it would make it more difficult for citizens to defend themselves. With the most deaths in the U.S having to do with guns it would make sense if you take guns out it would drop the killing ratio. Obama says that tightening gun control by banning assault...
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...Gun Control – Does it reduce Crime? There are so many sides to gun control that covering all of them in one paper would kill far too many trees to consider. For that reason, I have decided to cover only how gun control affects crime rates and if it increases or decreases victims’ injuries and/or deaths. I will look at the effect an armed victim has on an offender and how gun control affects only the law abiding citizen. One small town in Georgia went to extremes to reduce its crime rate. That town is Kennesaw, GA. In 1982 a city ordinance was passed that requires all heads of household to keep at least one firearm, with ammunition, in the home (Baldwin). After the law went into effect, crime against persons plummeted 74 percent compared to 1981, and fell another 45 percent in 1983 compared to 1982. Admittedly, the crime rate in Kennesaw was not very high to begin with. Robert Jones, Kennesaw Historical Society president says, “[The crime rate] was eleven burglaries per 1,000 residents in 1981." According to the Kennesaw Police Department, the city's most recent crime statistics show 243 property crimes per 100,000 residents in 1998, or .243 per 1,000. A similar Georgia city, Decatur, recorded 4,049 property crimes per 100,000 residents, or just over 4 per 1000. Kennesaw’s crime rate continues to be below all other metro Atlanta city with similar populations. One can’t help but think that this has something to do with the fact that “all” of the residents are armed. Obviously...
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...many reasons why our justice system cannot always protect us, so people are looking for other ways to stay safe. A gun is still a weapon, most would want to possess a gun in order to feel safer, everyone is aware of accidents when innocent people get hurt unintentionally. More people support the idea for complicating the procedure for getting a gun. Some might say that it is not the gun that kills people, but the person themselves. People who hold the gun are in control of lives at stake. It is ultimately up to them what leads to a frightful action. For example, you are walking back to your car and someone comes up to you and points a gun to your face. You do not know whether it is loaded or not so you give them everything you have that they would want. We need to take larger measures to reduce the amount of guns that are possessed; otherwise it can lead to a greater number of tragedies. Legislators created gun control laws that were meant for criminals. It goes without saying that criminals do not follow the laws. Criminals are very up-to-date with the laws that they intentionally...
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...Licensed to: CengageBrain User Licensed to: CengageBrain User This is an electronic version of the print textbook. Due to electronic rights restrictions, some third party content may be suppressed. Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. The publisher reserves the right to remove content from this title at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. For valuable information on pricing, previous editions, changes to current editions, and alternate formats, please visit www.cengage.com/highered to search by ISBN#, author, title, or keyword for materials in your areas of interest. Copyright 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. Licensed to: CengageBrain User Criminal Justice in Action, 7th Edition Larry K. Gaines and Roger LeRoy Miller © 2013 Wadsworth, Cengage Learning ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced, transmitted, stored or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not...
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...Government and Gun Control Sara Gilbert COM 156 The Second Amendment gives people the right to keep and bear arms. Some in the government wish to take this right away. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the Bill of Rights that guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms. This amendment, adopted on December 15, 1791 along with the rest of the Bill of Rights was created or several reasons. One is to ensure citizens’ rights to own a firearm. This topic has become one of the most controversial topics over the last century. It has led more debates over the rising violence in society today. For example, what role firearms play in violence, how to control the sale of weapons, and how to put an end to all violence involving guns. Guns are regulated by federal, and state, legislation. There is little, if any uniformity state versus state. The major regulatory issues are child access and prevention laws, concealed weapon carry laws, regulation on private sales to minors, regulating all secondary used market sales, ownership or purchase of ‘assault” type weapons, one handgun a month law, ban on Saturday Night Specials and others of this type, preemption, and waiting periods of ownership. The key question to control is when will it be enough. How many laws are they going to make before they ban gun sales to law-abiding citizens altogether. The Second Amendment was written for specific reasons. It was not written for them to come back...
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...In today’s society, we deal with many issues that pose threats to others and are a big problem throughout the world. One of these issues that hits home for me is school violence. School violence, according to the Center for the Prevention of School Violence in the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is defined as “any behavior that violates a school’s educational mission or climate of respect or jeopardizes the intent of the school to be free of aggression against persons or property, drugs, weapons, disruptions and disorder.” School violence goes as far back as the 1920s, possibly even before that. One such incident happened in Maine in 1927, when a school board official blew up a school and killed 44 people. Other related incidents include the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings. This kind of deviance is not OK and affects so many people and societies. The definition stated above shows that “violence in schools” doesn’t always mean “school shootings”. There are actually many forms in which this takes place. One form of school violence is bullying. Bullying can be caused by a vast number of reasons. Children can bully others because they are abused at home, are influenced by their group of friends, have no role model so they simply don’t know any better, or because they are bullied themselves elsewhere outside of school. The affect bullying has on the victim can be quite severe. They may end up dropping out of...
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...Bear Arms Gun control has been a controversial issue for many years. A vast majority of citizens believe that if gun control is strictly enforced it would quickly reduce the threat of crime. Many innocent people feel they have the right to bear arms for protection, or even just the pleasure of hunting. Americans have a constitutional right to own hand guns and stricter laws and licensing will not affectively save lives. The second amendment states “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The Founding Fathers included this in the Bill of Rights because they feared the Federal Government might oppress the population if the people did not have the means to defend themselves as a nation or individuals. “We established however some, although not all its (self-government) important principles. The constitutions of most of our states assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent; (as in electing their functionaries executive and legislative, and deciding by a jury of themselves, in all judiciary cases in which any fact is involved,) or may they act by representatives, freely and equally chosen that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed” (Jefferson). It is believed that The Founding Fathers thought that the society benefited from guns being in the...
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