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The Right to Bear Arms

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The Right to Bear Arms
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. Those words are forever engraved into the minds of the American people. Guns have been a staple in American culture since the Declaration of Independence. Nearly every movie or TV show has a gun in it. The newspapers are filled with stories about guns and gun laws, and thousands of Americans take part in the great debate over guns. The gun issue has been and may always be an important part of American life. The rise in gun violence over the years has caused many people to rethink what the second amendment says. Some may argue that it is the right of every citizen to own and carry a gun without penalty. Other suggest that strict gun laws should be in place to prevent guns from entering the wrong hands. Both sides have valid points and present very enticing arguments, but the fact is, the second amendment will not change. Guns will not be abolished, restricted or prohibited. America is one of the only countries that states in it’s constitution that every citizen can own a gun. Having a gun is the most American thing a person can do. The country was founded on the principles of freedom and letting a citizen carry a firearm is the ultimate freedom. How many people in other countries can openly say they own a gun, or several, and they exercise their second amendment rights on a regular basis? Many people who own guns use them for recreational purposes. They hunt, they go to the shooting range, they go to gun shows and even collect antique rifles and pistols. According to a 1994 survey, 35% of American households own 192 million firearms. (http://www.newsbatch.com/gun control.htm). That is a staggering number compared to other countries. But even with such a large number of guns, most of them are owned by law-abiding citizens. The issue begins with the people who obtain guns illegally,


Cited: 1.NEA Health Information Network. June 17th, 2005. NEA. April 1st, 2008.http://www.neahin.org/programs/schoolsafety/gunsafety/statistics.htm 2. National Rifle Association. 2008. NRA. April 1st, 2008. http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Federal/Read.aspx?id=60 3. Newsbatch. July 2005. Newsbatch. April 1st, 2008. http://www.newsbatch.com/guncontrol.htm 4.About.com. 2003. About.com. April1st,2008. http://history1900s.about.com/od/famouscrimesscandals/a/columbine.htm
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