...Although this is somewhat true it is more focused on regulating, identifying,and authorizing guns in various ways. This is all in the hopes of mitigating the occurrence of gun violence everywhere. In perfect world this could be all that is needed to prevent dangerous people from obtaining firearms, but we aren’t so lucky. As stated in Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence,”Federal law requires federally licensed firearms dealers (but not private sellers) to initiate a background check on the purchaser prior to sale of a firearm”(Background Check in Virginia).This means that any college student above the age of 18 is able to buy a firearm from a private dealer with no background check and no wait period in Virginia, and go to a school to initiate whatever he or she is planning. The law that states no background check is required if the seller is private will most likely stay unchanged because if it were proposed for amendment the public would claim that it violates the free market and the government should stay out of small business. Elliott cited The Center of Disease and Prevention which conducted review of 51 studies that came from various scientific bodies to discern the overall effectiveness of firearm laws that were meant...
Words: 1557 - Pages: 7
...Unauthorized persons… Growing up, most gun folks had a glass front display cabinet to store the family firearms. Most were long guns assigned to hunting duties. The cabinets weren’t locked because the kids that entered the house or lived there had a healthy respect for the guns and other people’s belongings. We wanted to do the right thing because we respected life and wanted a chance to shoot the guns occasionally with supervision. There were consequences for disobedience such as grounding or a spanking. We wanted our freedoms as kids and crossing lines never entered our minds. In 2017 things are a bit different. This is not meant as an educational on being a parent in the 21st century. It is however, a primer on how to sensibly secure your firearms in this day and age. Fortunately, we have many options. I’m asked how I keep my firearms secure being a firearms instructor and gun retailer. The quick answer is don’t raise dumb asses. When your child is old enough to understand that matches burn and cars can run you over, they are old enough to learn that they are not to handle or touch guns without adult supervision....
Words: 609 - Pages: 3
...Enforcement of Gun Control It seems to never fail when one turn on the news there is going to be some gruesome scene involving the inappropriate use of firearms and the mass murdering of innocent civilians. There are laws implemented to give Americans the right to bear arms; however, does that right also give the power to murder? A mass murderer has been created who gives himself the power to control the fate of our American society. The question still remains; what happens after the crime has been committed? As history shows not much has happened and that needs to change. There has been an uncanny abundance of crime and mass murder as a result of firearms in the United States; therefore, there is a strong need to implement laws that enforce...
Words: 1399 - Pages: 6
...Hashim-Ali Research Paper The Effect of Gun Control in the United States With gun violence being so difficult to understand, what can be the overall solution? The issue with gun violence in America is one of the most highly debated topics of all time. A variety of government regulations such as background checks, and firearm restrictions left many wondering whether or not the laws of the government are in the best interest of the people. Although this topic is very controversial, there is a high supply of guns flowing in and out of America and a solution to the increase of gun violence is very much needed. These new laws not only affect people who oppose firearms, but it can especially hurt the people who rely on it for protection. Gun violence isn’t an issue that can be easily eradicated however, by informing people of new ideas and options pertaining to guns, America will realize that it can prevent many of these violent events from actually happening. With that being said many people are thinking more radical and some even blame certain mass shootings on mental illness, which in some cases may be true however, its often a cop out to receive a reduced sentence. Although many countries have implemented strict gun control laws, they have proven to not be as effective as lawmakers thought they would be in reducing crime. According to an article, “there is some common ground in the gun-control debate; many on both sides agree that there is a clear distinction between those...
Words: 2749 - Pages: 11
...Upon hearing those numbers, one would think, "What could be the difference between our country and theirs? What makes their gun death rate so significantly lower than ours?" The answer is strict gun control. In 1996, Australia called for strict gun control laws, known as National Firearms Agreement which dramatically reduce firearm exposure. Since 1996, there have been zero mass shootings in Australia. Likewise, in Canada, to purchase a gun one must hold a special license called a restricted possession and acquisition license. Citizens are also restricted in where and when they can have their restricted or prohibited firearms in public (U.S. Ranks Highest in Gun...
Words: 1505 - Pages: 7
...themselves to be sanctuary counties. “The resolutions are meant to put the Democratic-controlled Legislature on notice that if it passes a host of gun bills, including new age restrictions for certain weapons, a bump stock ban and size limit for gun magazines, the counties might bar their employees from enforcing the new laws” (Associated Press). While these “sanctuary counties”, are posing a threat to the government, officials are still in the midst of making new gun laws. One major problem that needs to be handled is the minimum information needed to perform a background check before a person buys a gun. Gura explains that in order to buy a gun it's as easy as filling out a 4473 form, “ a six-page form from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. I'd have to write my name and address. My Social Security Number is optional. And there's half a page of "yes or no" questions” ( Gura). He explains that after you fill out the 4473 form, you give them the minimal basic information, the employee checks the FBI database, "They give me a 'yay' or 'nay,' and out the door you go," he says. "It's quick and easy. And we take credit cards” (Gura). Once a person buys a gun. the employee has to hold onto the customers 4473 form for 20 years. This becomes a problem due to the fact that the FBI does not have a complete record and therefore can not account for all the guns sold, which means that a person could go into a gun shop and purchase many guns, and the FBI may never know about...
Words: 1714 - Pages: 7
...Mass shootings affect America every year with innocent lives lost and many people injured. Since 2000 there has been fourteen mass shootings and many of them happened on school grounds. For example, on April 16, 2007 a student named Seung-Hi Cho from Virginia Tech University killed thirty-two students and faculty members and injured seventeen. If at the time, carrying a concealed firearm on campus was legal Seung-Hi could have been stopped before he hurt so many people.The new Bill eleven states that both the students and teachers twenty-one and older are allowed to carry concealed weapons on campus with a license. I completely support the new Bill and campus carry on because students and faculty that are qualified should have the right to...
Words: 688 - Pages: 3
...numerous amounts of public lives prepare plans and procedures, for in the event of an emergency there is a protocol. The Sandy Hook elementary school, which is populated with more than seven hundred individuals, prior to their shooting emergency, made efforts to prepare themselves for tragedy. Drills were conducted for lockdown and evacuation procedures. The school invested in security equipment like intercom operated locked doors. Multiple Public Addressing (PA) Systems were put throughout the building, where they can be accessed from different locations. This Connecticut elementary school was created with a unique design, bathrooms in each classroom and railroad classrooms that connect the rooms with one another using doors. School workers were trained for basic emergencies, like fires. Understanding the school’s plan, the strengths should be looked at. There were many areas of the plan that made their preparedness stronger and influenced the severity of the later on shooting. The drills that were done often in the school were impactful, helping instructors and other staff members ‘lockdown’, keeping students and staff out of harm’s way. The drills also helped make evacuation of the building organized. Investment in security equipment was a strong effort in protecting the people of the school. Although the shooter broke through the intercom system door using his firearm, the locking system is still considered a strength in planning. In other cases the system protects the...
Words: 2369 - Pages: 10
...Guns on College Campus Should guns be allowed on college campus? Kenton L. McGowen Abstract This paper will determine whether guns have a place on college, and school campuses. The conclusion that the paper reaches is that students who have guns will be tempted to use them, especially at universities and colleges that are full of drug use, stress, and anxiety. The mixture of guns into a formula like that is simply not conducive to a safe environment. This paper will take evidence from experts, as well as state rulings to show the two sides of gun control in regards to school campuses in order to answer the question: Should guns be allowed on college campuses? The constitution of the United States guarantees our right to bear arms in order to defend ourselves, but where does the line fall where it is ok and not okay to carry weapons? The debate has shifted from restaurants, to stores, and now to schools. It is recently that the question has come up, should college campus students be allowed to have guns? The question is a safety issue and mostly centers around a need for the preservation of life on these campuses, and whether or not the guns are absolutely necessary to have. It has been spurred on by the recent slew of school shootings that have hit areas of the country, most notably Virginia Tech in 2006. There are valid argumentative points to both sides, however. As previously mentioned, the constitution of the United States guarantees...
Words: 2630 - Pages: 11
...carry weapons? I have owned three weapons, two automatic pistols and one rifle…. All of these guns were obtained illegally. This paper in essence pertains to not just to killers, but keeping illegal guns out of everyone’s hands. There are three main types of guns that are concentrated on when we about talk gun control. There are handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The two categories of guns that we will talk about in this paper are military style assault rifles and automatic handguns. Why? These are the weapons that criminals want and use. Here are some interesting statistics. From February 2004 through February 2010, 1,225 (91%) of firearms and 3 (100%) of explosives were sold to terrorists (Agresti and Smith). 15 states restore gun rights immediately upon release from prison or parole completion, 6 other states restore these same firearm rights to juveniles (Agresti and Smith). Did you know that the United States...
Words: 1802 - Pages: 8
...the Federal Assault Weapons Ban that was in place from 1994-2004. This law made it illegal to produce or purchase a firearm that had certain cosmetic features which had no effect of the lethality of the firearm when used as a weapon. The politicians had essentially banned firearms that they deemed looked scary. Now there is a push for a renewed Federal Assault Weapons Ban. It is imperative the people know that this infringement on our Second Amendment rights is constructed around banning firearms based on how they look instead of how effective they are as weapons. Fallacies of the Assault Weapons Ban There are many political issues in the world that incite strong emotional reactions from people from all walks of life. These issues can turn the tide of a political campaign because of the emotions involved with them. Quite often, the most emotion inspiring issues are related to individual rights and public safety. A major issue that is constantly debated by opposing interest groups is gun control. This is a topic that creates a firestorm of debate between people all over the country. On one side, there are the gun owners who believe the Second Amendment to the constitution is absolute and that citizens of the United States should be permitted to own any firearms they want. On the other side, there are gun prohibition groups who believe that all firearms should be banned. Both of these points of view are the extreme ends of the spectrum. Most people tend to be in favor...
Words: 2969 - Pages: 12
...variable to what the cause of the homicide is not present (Moorhouse and Wanner, 2006). FBI releases a report that gives these types of statistics, but they don’t tell you are the opposite of these. The amount of guns owned by Americans has increased 51% over the past two years, with this the total violent crime has decreased 21%, the murder has decreased 28%, the amount of robberies has decreased 43%, and the amount of aggravated assaults have decreased 13% (National Rifle Association, 2008). Even though most homicidal violence is caused by firearms, not all deaths are related to the misuse of firearms. Which is why I don't believe that it is fair to take people’s right to bear arms because it is a constitutional right as well as personal protection. Every family has at least one member that owns a firearm of some sort based on statistics. Some are used for sport and some for protection. I believe the biggest role of a firearm is personal protection. According to the National Rifle Association 76% of all Americans fall victim to some sort of violent crime at least once in their lifetimes (National Rifle Association 2008). Predators of this particular statistic look for people who look three things race, gender, and age. The highest victim of these studies is the white teenage female and the elderly white male and female (Bloomfield Press 1995). Most of these victims deter the crime with calling the police when suspicious or traveling with another person but this has...
Words: 1639 - Pages: 7
...have guns they can save lives. But not just any person should be able to get a gun. Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Due to this assassination it increased public awareness which lead to the creation of increased and stricter gun control laws. People are entitled to own a gun. “The right to bear arms is stated in the 2nd amendment to the U.S. constitution. A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” (Right to Bear Arms). In other words the constitution allows U.S. citizens to own firearms. So, if people are allowed to have guns then why are there gun control laws? “ The debate started shortly after November 22, 1963 when evidence in the assassination of President Kennedy, which created some questions of why there was a relative lack of control over the sale and possession of firearms in America”(Gun Control Timeline). This...
Words: 1376 - Pages: 6
...do nothing to prevent crimes; they are in place to ensure that those who violate them are punished and removed from society, thereby preventing future crimes. Supporters and opponents of gun control agree guns should be kept out of the hands of criminals. The ability for people to use a firearm while defending themselves from harm or possible death at the hands of a criminal is not debatable, it is a Constitutional Right. Gun control laws save lives and continue to have positive effects within our nation. The Second Amendment in the US Constitution grants law abiding citizens the right to own a gun for self-defense. The amendment states that “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” (Find Law, 2012). Even though it is a right to bear arms, the purchase of firearms has become more difficult and almost impossible for people with criminal backgrounds. Those with felony convictions, fugitives from justice, dishonorably discharged from the military, illegal aliens in the United States, convicted of domestic violence, and people who possess restraining orders are not permitted to purchase firearms (Agresti & Smith, 2010). The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is a national system that checks available records in the National Crime Information Center, Interstate Identification Index, and the NICS Index to determine if prospective applicants are eligible to purchase and...
Words: 1946 - Pages: 8
...Gun Control Imagine a world where there were no laws controlling who could and couldn’t buy guns. Imagine that a felon who had committed armed robbery could walk into any store and buy a gun along with the ammunition that is needed for that gun. It would be a scary would if anybody and everybody were able to buy a gun. If there were no laws for gun owners this situation could happen these laws are put into place to protect not only citizens but to protect the gun owners. Thankfully we live in a world where gun control has evolved over the years in order to protect America and its citizens. 1911 was when the first law towards gun control was passed and according to The Salt Lake Tribune (1995) New York passes the Sullivan Law, which makes buying or carrying a handgun without a permit a felony. Which also started the first political fray against the gun control that was stopped because of the start of World War I? It was the start of both sides of gun control, not only was it the start of gun control, however it was also the start of people political or not, the laws were against the gun control. These Laws are put into effect to protect, and eleven years later, there was another law that was passed. In 1927 Congress had passed a law that would ban mail-order sales of a handgun but the advocates fail to pass that law on a federal level. After that, states did start putting laws into place that would regulate the use and sales of handguns (The Salt Lake Tribune, 1995). According...
Words: 1816 - Pages: 8
