America's Debate Against Gun Control
The United States and the war on Gun Control The gun control issue has recently created a massive uproar throughout the U.S. due to some major horrific events such as the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, where 32 people were killed, the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012 where 27 people were killed, mostly children, and the Columbine shooting in 1999 where 13 people were killed, (CNN) as well as many others. To some, it is a crime issue, to others it’s a right’s issue. It is, obviously, a safety issue, an education issue, a racial issue, and a political issue, among others, and within each of these issues there are those who want more gun control, the Democrats, and those who want less, the Republicans. There are lots of opinions on both sides of the issue ranging from moderate to extreme, and each has good points and arguments. Is there really a “right” party? The second Amendment to the U.S. 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 they feared the Federal Government might oppress the population if the people did not have the means to defend themselves as a nation and as individuals. (Halbrook 65-84) The Republican Party’s position on gun control doesn’t simply revolve around a fondness for firearms, but instead a fundamental principal to uphold the rights that our nation was built on. (Know the Republican Platform) They believe that every American has the right to own, carry, Frazier 2 and use a firearm. Republicans feel the government regulation over firearms in unconstitutional and an infringement on an individual’s basic rights. The chief point made by Republicans in congruence with the second amendment – one should always be given the right to protect himself, his family, or his
Cited: “Guns, Bias, and the Evening News” American Rifleman January/February 1995: 50-51 Halbrook, Stephen. That Every Man be Armed. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1984 Laws.com “Know the Republican Platform” Laws.com 2013 2/19/14 http://gun.laws.com/gun-rights/republican-platform. CNN.com “25 Deadliest Mass Shootings in US History Fast Facts” October 2, 2013. February 22, 2014 Http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/16/us/20-deadliest-mass-shootings-in-u-s-history-fast-facts Adams, Bob. “Gun Control Debate.” QC Researcher 12 Nov. 2004: 949-72 Web Feb 19, 2014. Lester, David. “Gun Control Issues and Answers” Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas, 1984 Thomas, Andrew Peyton. “Crime and the Sacking of America: The Roots of Chaos.” Washington: Brassey’s, 1994. Diaz, Tom. “The Last Gun.” Chapter 7 Pg. 173.