...Gun Debate The U.S. government has tried for many years to decrease gun violence with numerous restrictions and regulations on gun ownership and gun use but yet gun violence in America is still extremely high. Government policies alone cannot help to improve the gun violence, responsibility must be taken from all parties, especially gun distributors. Majority of guns used in crimes were purchased at a legal institution somewhere down the line so how can distributors control this? Gun violence claims over 30,000 lives a year and over 100,000 people fall victim to crimes involving guns. Gun violence is clearly an epidemic in the United States but what has been done about it? The government has implemented numerous different laws and policies in an attempt to control this problem with policies like the buy back program and putting restrictions on who can purchase a gun. These policies have both done very little in actually reducing the number of guns on the street. The buyback program seemed like a good idea in which people can come hand in their guns and receive cash or gift cards for their guns. One issue with this is that people who are more likely to commit a crime with guns are far less likely to even turn their guns in so it was sort of a waste of money. Government restrictions on who could purchase a gun has somewhat helped in decreasing gun violence. For example, the government restricts people with felonies on their record from purchasing guns. While some people will deem...
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...American Government 3/14/2013 Gun Control The gun control debate is clearly one of the most contentious and controversial issues in America today and the battle over gun control is now being waged through intensive media campaigns from both sides of the political spectrum to influence public opinion and to assert pressure on policy makers. It is a debate that has not been resolved and will never be. “The right to bear arms”, an amendment prioritized by our founding fathers, which earned the very second spot on the list of birth rights as Americans. However, with constant tragedies striking the United States, such as massacres in public high schools and universities, mall shootings, and attempted assassinations on state representatives, it’s no wonder law makers are constantly debating the topic of gun control. Given the strong evidence that the level of gun violence is related to “relaxed gun laws”, why don’t we do more to enact stiffer gun laws? In America guns have been a part of the country’s society since its 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. Criminals on the other hand, they don't listen to laws, and will take advantage of the newly unarmed law abiding citizen. As shown in statistics and studies, cities with more gun control have more gun murders, due to the fact that a law abiding citizen can't carry a gun with him, but a criminal will...
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...Gun Control Brian McMahon 02/02/2014 PH103 Informal Logic Colette Jung Gun control has been a controversial topic for quite awhile. The United states has set some gun restrictions in place already, and is trying to place more. Even though some gun laws can prevent people from being killed, they are not legitimate because they do not stop criminals from committing crimes, instead they restrict law abiding citizens and they violate the 2nd amendment. More gun restrictions will not solve the current issues at hand, however gun education could be affective in educating the public Gun Control laws make no differentiation between criminals and law abiding citizens. The purpose of gun control is to limit access to criminals getting a hold on weapons. "The ATF found that 'a small group of dealers accounts for a disproportionately large number of crime gun traces.' More than 85 percent of dealers in the U.S. had no crime guns traced to them at all in 1998, while about 1 percent of licensed firearm dealers accounted for 57 percent of traces that same year." Parnell, William (2009). Clearly that 1 percent is breaking several laws when it accounts for 57 percent of all gun crimes traced by the ATF. After the events happened at Virginia Tech Congress created the "NICS Improvement Act," which includes "provisions that encourage states, as a condition of federal funding, to update and make available disqualifying records on persons to be 'mentally defective' and convicted of misdemeanor...
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...that gun related violence is not a problem that requires attention. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearm homicides account for roughly 11,000 of the 16,000 homicides that occur the United States annually (2013). The subject of gun control has been a topic that has generated an enormous amount of controversy and attention. When one hears the term “gun violence”, vile acts against humanity, such as the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and Columbine High School, come to mind. More recently, the rise in extremist acts of terror has heightened the public’s concern over gun control. In the aftermath of multiple occasions, President Obama has publically called for stronger gun control laws, specifically calling for stricter background checks among other provisions. In response to the public’s concern for safety, the president used executive action which increased the number of businesses which require federal licenses to sell guns, thus increasing the number of dealers requiring background checks when selling firearms (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2016). This is, of course, not a one-sided argument. The subject creates strong feelings across the political spectrum. Gun rights groups, such as the NRA, suggest that gun control laws are not only unconstitutional, but actually leave citizens in more danger by preventing them from using their best form of protection (National Rifle Association, 2015). In 1994 Congress enacted the Brady Gun Control...
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...Gun control laws should not be strengthened, instead they should be enforced. Instead of making it harder for law-abiding citizens to obtain guns, guns should be taken away from unstable individuals or people who should not have guns like criminals. The first reason why gun control should not be strengthened is that citizens have the right to own guns; it is one of those entitlements that makes the United States different from other countries. Secondly, criminals are criminals and that is why they are called criminals, they don’t follow the law; basically if a criminal wants a gun they will get a gun, legally or not. My third reason is that guns are used for protection. Strengthening gun control laws will not prevent violence, guns aren’t the only tool used to hurt people, and people will use other objects to hurt people if they can’t have guns. Without a gun, murderers will still murder people whether they use a gun, knife, baseball bat, or any other object, it doesn’t matter. If not that many citizens have guns thanks to stronger gun laws, what if the government becomes tyrannical or does not protect the citizens’ rights? Well they won’t be able to do anything because they will be helpless, they can’t take out the leaders and fix the government. 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. Adolf Hitler took away guns from the Jewish people during...
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...Gun Control in America Alicia Buford COMM 215 Instructor Bruce Massis May 20, 2013 Did you know that in the United States that there are almost as many firearms as there are citizens (Wadman, 2013)? Consequently, the second amendment of the constitution gives each American citizen “The Right to Bear Arms.” The right to bear these arms is a just that, a right but, along with that right comes responsibility. Since the days of the pioneers, firearms have been an element of the American tradition as defense and a means of hunting or activity. However, as we progress through the 21st century the use of guns has changed significantly. Some of the reasons for the change are the steady increase in crime and the battle for the right to have possession of hand guns. Due to the number of gun owners in America, one might think that we have a strong affection for guns and gun ownership rights. This could not be further from the truth. Americans views towards guns have shifted significantly. In a 1998 Harris Poll taken a year before Columbine, shows that almost 70 percent of Americans favor “stricter gun control” (Contexts, Fall, 2003). So what should we do about this? I believe that stricter gun control legislation should be the solution to much of the gun violence that is plaguing our nation. Restricting the right to bear arms, especially assault weapons should make our communities safer. Granted, many people in community all across this country own guns. A large...
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...Kairotic Moment of Gun Control On July 20, 2012, The Dark Knight Rises was formally released in the U.S. It could have been a grand festival for Batman fans, unfortunately, the tragedy happened. In the cinema of Aurora, Colorado, a man named James Holmes, who wore a gas mask and dressed up as the super villain in the movie, threw tear gas into the theater and shot at people during the showing of the film. Twelve people were killed and fifty-eight people were injured in the incident. As one of the most serious shooting cases in the U.S., the issue of gun control has once again attracted public attention, rushing people into pro and con camps. The controversy around the issue is whether it is better to strengthen the laws for gun control or not. Major media around the world have made extensive covers and reports of the Denver shooting case; they also joined the discussion of gun control because it has significant effects for people’s lives and safety. There are three articles from different media responses to the hot topic. The article titled “Gun-control, gun-rights groups’ ready for renewed debate after Colorado shooting” by Michael Martinez was published on CNN.COM. CNN is one of the most influential global media and authoritative news sites, which can be seen or read by over 100 million U.S households and viewers in over 212 countries. This article notes that both sides were engaged in a renewed debate about the issue of gun control in the aftermath of the shooting tragedy...
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...Why Gun Free Zones Are Not Safe Since the year 2007, there has been over three major public shootings in the United States. On April 16, 2007 Cho-Seung-Hui shot and killed over thirty two students and faculty members at Virginia Tech College. On December 14, 2012 Adam Lanza shot and killed twenty students and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary school. On January 18, 2013 James Holmes shot and killed twelve people an injured fifty at the Century 16 Movie Theatre in Colorado. (Center for American Progress Action Fund, 2013). These public shootings all have one thing in common with one another. Each shooting was conducted in a ‘gun free zone.’ With the exception of one, the attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford in 2011, every public mass shooting since the year 1950 occurred in a ‘gun free zone.’ When an area is rendered ‘gun free’ a false sense of safety for the surrounding citizens is provided. Many people assume that ‘gun free zones’ are safe places but in reality they create an optimal environment for a mass shooter looking for a place where they would not be faced with and resistance from their defenseless victims. In most criminals’ and mass shooters’ minds, there is no better place to open fire than one where their victims cannot fight back. There was an enormous issue recently and that is still ongoing today about rather to add to the gun control laws in the United States or not. In many states there are laws in place that prevent citizens carrying...
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...Gun Control On Thursday, May 9th, a two-year old boy was found dead after shooting himself in the head. The boy had found his father’s handgun while the father himself was occupied with other things; his son was just a few feet away. This little boy is not the first kid to shoot himself. Accidents like this are just one of the reasons to why guns should be restricted in the United States. Gun access has become very easy for people and that has caused many problems. Nowadays, people can buy guns online and in local stores such as Wal-Mart! At the age of 18, a person can legally buy a long gun, and at the age of 21, a person can buy a handgun. As of today, Americans own between 262 million and 310 million firearms as reported by Hill, Edward. The Gallup Organization estimated that 44 percent of American households own at least one gun. The large amounts of guns and people who own them have caused many tragedies and violence. It is impossible to pick up a newspaper or listen to the news and not learn about a mass shooting or an accidental gunshot. Fifteen of the 25 worst mass shootings took place in the United States in the last fifty years. In the past year, there have been 16 mass shootings in the United States, leaving at least 88 people dead. These shootings occurred at local places such as malls, theaters, courthouses, and even elementary schools. Many suspects of these shootings had no criminal background but did have an easy access to guns. For example, the young man...
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...of a firearm-related incident" (Erdtmann 291). This astonishing amount of gun-related incidents demonstrates how pressing America’s gun violence issue is. Enacting stricter gun legislation is one popular, yet highly controversial method to reduce the level of gun violence in the United States. While gun advocates may argue that placing restrictions on gun sales may negatively impact their constitutional right to bear arms, through the philosophical lens, creating stricter legislation regarding gun sales is the most effective way to reduce the number of firearm-related...
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...Gun Control Effectiveness; Fact or Fiction Daryl L. Wassell COM/220 March 10, 2013 Robin Lyons Gun Control Effectiveness; Fact or Fiction The second amendment gave all citizens “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms”, and that right accordingly “shall not be infringed” (National Archives, 2012). Within this statement the founding fathers rose to the level of securing the countries new freedom with defense by any means necessary. While the second amendment permits gun ownership, it is also with the intent of securing our land from imminent national threat. As it states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State” (National Archives, 2013) affords the people the right to bear arms. The idea that the second amendment grants owners privilege to own assault rifles is ridiculous; however, more so is added legislation that yet has to prove deterrence of violence. To begin a debate on gun violence and legislation, one should start with where the escalation has come from, war. Many would believe that weapons of mass destruction have caused the greatest numbers of death around the world. In fact, no nuclear, biological, or mass acts of terror have done greater damage than standard munitions. Machine guns, rifles, and pistols are among the chief instruments of death. The figures are difficult to pinpoint but are estimated to be 60 to 90 percent of all deaths by armed conflict. Some estimate “the number of conflict deaths at 27,000–51,000...
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...The Gun Control Debate in the United States Republicans vs. Liberals The ineffectiveness of gun control is quite evident in the United States. Gun rights have been an ongoing social battle for many years (Kopel). People will always find a way to gain access to weapons if the person wants one badly enough. The United States is fast approaching the halfway mark in favor of stricter gun laws; however, the nation still questions the effectiveness of gun control. Republicans support the right to own, use, and carry guns as stated in the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution (Kopel). Republicans also believe it is an individual’s right to protect family and property through gun ownership. Gun laws should be left to the individual states...
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...PROTECT CHILDREN NOT GUNS 2012 THIS REPORT IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF TRAYVON MARTIN AND THE THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS KILLED BY GUNS EACH YEAR IN AMERICA. Children’s Defense Fund Mission Statement T he Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get sick, drop out of school, get into trouble or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit public charity supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. © 2012 Children’s Defense Fund. All rights reserved. Table of Contents Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Stand Up and Take Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Child and Teen Gun Deaths . . . . . . . . . ....
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...Gun Control Gun control is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as the regulation of selling, owning, and use of guns. Gun control has been a very controversial topic on Capitol Hill for a long time. Although, within more recent decades gun control has been a more heated topic of discussion. This is due to higher gun related death rates and an uprise of mass killings such as the Columbine highschool massacre which left 23 injured and 15 killed (CNN Library) and the recent Las Vegas shooting which left 58 killed and nearly 500 injured (Gomez and White). Gun control activist heavily support the controlling of firearms while Gun rights activist oppose heavy regulation. Gun control activist argue arms limitation is the answer and believe...
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...they are covering is either suicides or homicides taken place by someone with a gun? Seeing that news on the television or on your phone just ruins your day or makes you feel uneasy about people who own guns. There are people who are trying to find a way to stop the suicides and homicides occurring. One answer that politicians talk a great deal about is gun control, and another would be for stricter gun laws for gun owners. But the question cover with this paper is; will gun control cut down the number of suicides and homicides or will it not? In “Gun Control Is a Misfire” Marc Cooper shows what the liberals and the NRA both get wrong. Cooper, a contributing editor to The Nation, retired from the journalism faculty at the USC Annenberg School, has reported on politics and culture for...
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