¶ … gun control, including counter arguments. Owning a gun is much more than just a statement about this country's Constitution and Second Amendment rights. Owning a gun is a measure of protection and freedom that illustrates the principles this country's founders created, and it is a right that Americans should not take for granted. Gun control is not a suitable method for controlling crime, and it has not been proven to help control violent crime.
First, it is imperative to define what "gun control" means, because it can mean different things to different people. Two experts note, "Gun control is an umbrella term covering everything from laws prohibiting the ownership of defined classes of firearms to mandating the inclusion of gun locks with every firearm sold" (Moorhouse & Wanner, 2006). Clearly, with such a broad definition, and differing meanings, gun control cannot be easily measured or understood, which is one of the reasons it is controversial. Most advocates of gun control believe that the prevalence of readily available guns adds to violent crime statistics, but studies indicate that gun control does not seem to have a measurable effect on reducing violent crime, which negates their argument for stricter gun laws. Gun control is also a highly emotional issue, and many people believe the Second Amendment guarantees an American's right to own a gun. An author quotes Newt Gingrich, who says, "The Second Amendment is a political right written into our Constitution for the purpose of protecting individual citizens from their own government'" (Beachler, 2003). Thus, gun control is always controversial, because there are two such distinct sides to the issue. It is not just a liberal/conservative or Democratic/Republican issue, it is deeper than that, and there are also many different levels of support and interest.
Effectiveness of Gun Control
Every state has some kind of laws controlling or regulating guns, which is one reason the Federal Government does not want to get involved in gun control, even though there are often attempts to regulate certain aspects of gun control at the national level (such as trigger locks, youth safety, and waiting time regulations). They feel the states should regulate their own affairs, rather than creating overall federal legislation for many gun control issues. Each state regulates and enforces their regulations differently, and that can skew gun control's effectiveness. Authors Moorhouse and Wanner continue, "The effectiveness of a particular gun control statute depends not only on its being on the books but the degree to which the law is enforced. Two jurisdictions may have the same gun control statute but experience very different effects, because in one of the jurisdictions little effort is devoted to enforcing the regulation" (Moorhouse & Wanner, 2006). Thus, studies that indicate gun control helps reduce crime may be based on different statutes and different enforcement techniques, which may alter the results. In most studies, gun control is not shown to be effective in combating crime. The authors note, "In addition, he observes that 'controlling for basic social factors, the data show that gun laws have no significant effect on access to firearms' and 'differing rates of access to handguns had no significant effect on violent acts'" (Moorhouse & Wanner, 2006). Many other studies back up these findings, and help prove that gun control laws do not deter crime. In fact, studies show that many guns used in criminal activities have been stolen or gained illegally, which will be discussed below.
Right-to-Carry Laws
Like gun control laws, the right-to-carry a gun is regulated by the states. Some states require registration when purchasing a gun, other states do not, and some states do not follow up on these registration regulations. Many states offer permits for the right-to-carry a concealed gun, as well. Studies indicate that these laws may do much more in preventing crime than gun control measures. Authors Moorhouse and Wanner note, "Right-to-carry laws increase the risk to criminals of being injured or killed during a crime and thus generate a deterrent effect. Indeed, casual evidence suggests that merely brandishing a gun deters criminals" (Moorhouse & Wanner, 2006). Millions of Americans carry guns legally, and they do not use them to commit crimes, they use them to deter crimes and to protect themselves in their own homes. Instead of enacting gun control laws, more communities might consider right-to-carry laws to help make their communities safer and deter criminal...
Gun Control Laws and the Reduction of Homicides in the United States The objective of this study is to determine whether gun control laws will serve to bring about a reduction in the number of homicides in the United States. Toward this end this study will conduct an extensive review of literature in this area of inquiry. It is held by many that gun control laws will serve to bring about a
As a consequence, it is difficult to conclude that strict liabilities for gun owners (a la LaFollette) represent and appropriate and reasoned response. "Gun ownership fails to clearly possess any of the three characteristics of ultra-hazardous activities." It fails to be an activity that is not commonly done, that necessarily involves a risk of serious harm, and that cannot be made safe even with extreme care (Hunt, 2001: p.
Opponents of gun control became more proactive and in 1977 after the capture of NRA leader, they began to harm the reputation of the GCA officers and executives. They aimed to scare the gun owners into thinking that they will be harassed and prosecuted for possessing guns. Opponents of gun control pushed the Carter administration to remove the proposals which aimed at changing the execution of the laws. After this
In this case it was the U.S. Vs. Miller in which the court had to rule on whether a sawed off shotgun has a reasonable relationship in the preservation of a well regulated militia (Gun Politics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_the_United_States). As recently as 2002, the Supreme Court dealt with issues of gun control with regard to felons owning them. In that decision the court ruled that no agency or state can allow a
Second Amendment Should be Sacrosanct What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms." Or. "A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind." These statements
Gun Control Laws & regulations not adequate enough: Constitutional Right: Registration & Licensing Background Checks: Federal Registration: Lobbying: National Rifle Association (NRA): Politicians: Gun violence: Gun crimes: Massacres: Sandy Hook and Colorado: Black Market: No need for assault rifles: Government and Private protection: Hunting Laws: Political and Social pressure: Reforms: Public Opinion: Counter Argument & Rebuttal: Public will not be able to protect itself: Hand guns and law enforcement enough for public protection: The possession of guns is considered as a matter of tradition and heritage of the society. However the usage of
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