Gun Control Policy Brief
What is the Issue?
Gun Control
What is the Question?
Should gun control be instituted in the United States?
The concept of gun control has become a hot button item as we live in a country where mass murders, school shootings, and many other gun related crimes are becoming more and more frequent. People are faced with the impending questions on what should be done to limit these types of crimes and how can one defend themselves and their loved ones from becoming victims to these senseless acts? The main question regarding these issues is; should stricter gun control be instituted in the United States? As defined by Merriam-Webster, “gun control is laws that control how guns are sold and used and who can own them.” Around this definition there has been a great amount of push and pull from those who support gun control laws and those who oppose them. Arguments of why there should be increased gun control include:
Most violent crimes are committed with guns; thus, restricting gun ownership with likely reduce the number of such crimes.
Lunatics, bullied school kids, disgruntled workers, and others can inflict mass casualties with guns that otherwise would not be possible
The second amendment of the Constitution was targeted towards militia, e.g. the National Guard, rather than individuals.1
Arguments against increased gun control are as follows:
Criminals will always find a way to obtain their guns, leaving law-abiding citizens without any weapons to use in defense.
Crimes are often prevented by the deterrent effect of the possibility of victim gun possession.
The second amendment of the Constitution protects the individual’s right to gun ownership.2
Pro-gun control organizations Two of the most active organizations lobbying congress for increased gun control laws include The Brady Campaign and Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns. Between these two organizations $240,000 dollars was spent lobbying congress in 2011.3 The Brady Campaign describes its
Gun Control
What is the Question?
Should gun control be instituted in the United States?
The concept of gun control has become a hot button item as we live in a country where mass murders, school shootings, and many other gun related crimes are becoming more and more frequent. People are faced with the impending questions on what should be done to limit these types of crimes and how can one defend themselves and their loved ones from becoming victims to these senseless acts? The main question regarding these issues is; should stricter gun control be instituted in the United States? As defined by Merriam-Webster, “gun control is laws that control how guns are sold and used and who can own them.” Around this definition there has been a great amount of push and pull from those who support gun control laws and those who oppose them. Arguments of why there should be increased gun control include:
Most violent crimes are committed with guns; thus, restricting gun ownership with likely reduce the number of such crimes.
Lunatics, bullied school kids, disgruntled workers, and others can inflict mass casualties with guns that otherwise would not be possible
The second amendment of the Constitution was targeted towards militia, e.g. the National Guard, rather than individuals.1
Arguments against increased gun control are as follows:
Criminals will always find a way to obtain their guns, leaving law-abiding citizens without any weapons to use in defense.
Crimes are often prevented by the deterrent effect of the possibility of victim gun possession.
The second amendment of the Constitution protects the individual’s right to gun ownership.2
Pro-gun control organizations Two of the most active organizations lobbying congress for increased gun control laws include The Brady Campaign and Mayor’s Against Illegal Guns. Between these two organizations $240,000 dollars was spent lobbying congress in 2011.3 The Brady Campaign describes its
Bibliography: "A History of D.C. Gun Ban." Compiled by Meg Smith and Leah Carliner. Washington Post, June 26, 2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/... Agresti, James D., and Reid K. Smith. Just Facts, "Gun Control Facts." Last modified February 11, 2013. Accessed October 20, 2013. http://justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp. Balanced Politics, "Should Civilian Possesion of Handguns and other Non-hunting Guns be Banned or Severely Restricted." Accessed October 18, 2013. www.balancedpolitics.org/gun_control.nm. Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Last modified 2013. Accessed October 20, 2013. www.bradycampaign.org., Last modified 2013. Accessed October 20, 2013. www.bradycampaign.org. Gun Owners of America, "About GOA." Last modified September 17, 2008. Accessed October 20, 2013. http://gunowners.org. H.R. 1025--103rd Congress: Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. (1993). In www.GovTrack.us. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/103/hr1025 Jilani, Zaid Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Last modified 2013. Accessed October 20, 2013. www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org. NRA-ILA, "Right-to-Carry 2012." Last modified February 28, 2012. Accessed December 09, 2013. http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/articles/2012/right-to-carry-2012.aspx?s="Right- To-Carry"&st=&ps=. National Rifle Association, "NRA-ILA." Last modified 2013