Gun Control Pros and Cons in the United States
The debate over gun control has been raging through the American political systems for years. On one side, there is the National Rifle Association (NRA) and 2nd Amendment-citing citizens who use their firearms for hunting and self-defense. On the other, there is Handgun Control Inc. (HCI) and followers of the Brady Campaign who want to ban guns on the basis that they are dangerous. Both sides have strong arguments, anchored in historical precedent and statistical analysis. Anti-gun control lobbyists’ arguments include the guarantee of the 2nd Amendment, the definition of “militia” as any adult male, self-defense, the relative uselessness of permits and regulations, and court cases in favor of firearm possession. Pro-gun control activists counter with the anachronism of the 2nd Amendment, the traditional definition of “militia” as a government-authorized army, the multitude of gun-related deaths, the need for stronger regulations, and the precedent England has set with their ban of handguns. Both sides of the issue present a compelling argument, and need to be looked into carefully before any decision can be made.
Opponents of gun control legislation often cite the 2nd Amendment, which states that citizens of the United States have the constitutional right to own firearms. This portion of the Bill of Rights has been repeatedly upheld by court cases in the Senate and House of Representatives. On June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that “the Second Amendment, part of the 10-amendment Bill of Rights adopted shortly after the Constitution itself, guarantees the right of individual U.S. citizens to possess and use firearms for traditionally lawful purposes” in a 5-4 vote (Hunter). The Constitution is regarded by the Court as the highest law in the country, historically taking precedent over any other legal document, sometimes resulting in the nullification of laws regarded as unconstitutional. Gun rights advocates argue that gun control laws are unconstitutional
Opponents of gun control legislation often cite the 2nd Amendment, which states that citizens of the United States have the constitutional right to own firearms. This portion of the Bill of Rights has been repeatedly upheld by court cases in the Senate and House of Representatives. On June 26, 2008, the Supreme Court ruled that “the Second Amendment, part of the 10-amendment Bill of Rights adopted shortly after the Constitution itself, guarantees the right of individual U.S. citizens to possess and use firearms for traditionally lawful purposes” in a 5-4 vote (Hunter). The Constitution is regarded by the Court as the highest law in the country, historically taking precedent over any other legal document, sometimes resulting in the nullification of laws regarded as unconstitutional. Gun rights advocates argue that gun control laws are unconstitutional
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