Gun Control

Topics: Gun politics in the United States, Firearm, Gun violence in the United States Pages: 5 (1710 words) Published: April 22, 2013
English 1302
5th march 2013
Sides of Crime Control
Gun control laws have been surrounded by controversy since The Bill of Rights, including the Second amendment was passed in the congress. "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 founders wrote. Until recently there was considerable argument over just what the founders intended by their words. Did they mean to provide only for armed units to protect us from invasion, or did they mean that each individual has a right to a gun? However, in the District of Columbia v. Heller case, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling upholding the right of individuals to bear arms for hunting and for self-defense. In the light of the Supreme Court’s hearing, the recent mass shooting incidents and growing gun related deaths across the country have called for changes and introduction of new gun related laws i.e. gun control laws to curb gun violence. In this paper I will review five main positions on the issue of gun violence in United States. First, there are those who argue that the only way to reduce gun related deaths is by making stricter gun control laws and enforcing new ones. These people believe gun related deaths can be reduced significantly by reducing the number of guns in the hands of the citizens. Second, this group argues that gun control laws are not effective means to curb gun related deaths. They argue that focus must increase crime control rather than gun control. They say less guns will not help bring the gun violence figures down. They argue for different laws to curb gun violence such as gun trafficking law. Third, this group argues that more guns will reduce gun violence. They say as gun ownership increases, criminals will be more cautious to attack and hence reducing gun related deaths. Forth, theses are the people who argue that instead of proposing new laws, whether it is to increase or to decrease gun ownership, the government must implement the current laws efficiently to reduce gun violence. Fifth, this group argues that firearm safety can play an important role in reducing accidental deaths.

The issue of gun ownership is one that I always had interest in and it is quiet controversial, as gun control debate remains stunted in congress. While President Obama is pushing for stricter gun control laws, the republicans are unwilling to support the president on this issue. I will use my knowledge that I have gathered over the past few years to develop my essays. I have already read a fair amount about this issue, and there are lots of articles I can draw upon. Gun owner and author Stephen King’s Guns focuses on the history of gun control in America and addresses both sides of the debate over this issue. Every major newspaper is closely following every development in the congress over this issue. Washington post is a great source for any information about this issue.

Although I am aware of the negative effects of gun ownership in the society, a number of questions must be answered before I can focus on my topic. A few questions are : are crime and guns associated? Do guns necessarily lead to crime? And if so do laws placing restrictions on firearm ownership and use stop the crime or protect the citizens? Who can own a gun? Should assault weapons be sold to general public? What is the number of guns each household or individual can own? What are the benefits of stricter gun control laws? Which elected officials/public figures argue for stronger gun control laws? What kind of argument are they making? Who are losing from stronger gun control laws? What kind of argument can I make to create common ground and convince political parties and business that stronger laws can benefit everybody? Do gun control laws help or hurt the people the citizens they are trying to protect? Does enacting these laws take away our fundamental rights as citizens? These are...
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