...Shooting Blanks As the gun control issue began to heat up a timely find was made, a poem by Carl Sandburg. The first half of the poem reads, “Here is a revolver. It has an amazing language all its own. It delivers unmistakable ultimatums. It is the last word. A simple, little human forefinger can tell a terrible story with it. Hunger, fear, revenge, robbery hide behind it. It is the claw of the jungle made quick and powerful. It is the club of the savage turned to magnificent precision” (Doyle, 2013). This is an incredibly powerful poem that encompasses the terrifying power of a gun. Those who wield it hide behind and rely on its power as they commit horrible crimes. In January of 2008, representative Gabrielle Giffords became yet another victim of gun violence. The democrat from Arizona was shot, point blank, in the head while campaigning outside of a Safeway. This experience has driven the now recovered congresswoman to seek firearm reform. Meanwhile, senators in Washington have been tip-toeing around gun legislation for fear of backlash from interest groups like the National Rifle Association, and the money that comes with them. In 2014 alone, the NRA contributed $626,702 to candidates who are against legislation restricting guns. (National Rifle Association Summary, 2014) Gifford’s close call with death at the hands of a crazed gunman and her past experience in politics have motivated and enabled her to seek reform in not only gun legislation, but in Congress itself...
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...Are there any legitimate restrictions on gun ownership? Informal Logic / PHI103 The sometimes-explosive topic of an individual’s right to bear arms is a long-standing debate both nationally and internationally. Center fire of such debates is the interpretation, definition, and intention of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, the right to bear arms. Scholars, policy makers, and everyday citizens are faced with answering the question, are there any legitimate restrictions on firearm ownership? The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution 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.” (NARA, n.d) This statement, set forth by society’s Founding Fathers, has created a multitude of debates, beliefs, and restrictions. Congress passed the National Firearms Act In 1934, then later the President of the United States signed a law requiring gun dealers be licensed while recording the purchasers names and addresses. The 1968 Federal Gun Control Act, was enacted by Congress making it law following a turbulent time in history which was marred with the assassinations of several prominent public officials. The deaths, all due to firearms, included President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. This law categorizes people prohibited from owning guns including, those convicted of a felony, a fugitive, those who...
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...that an increase in gun control legislation will not provide an increase in safety of the populace. I would like my audience to become better informed and active in defending our constitutionally protected rights. The central theme is that further restriction on the availability of fire-arms will not improve our safety, and in fact will have a detriment to that safety. Intended Audience: The ideal audience for this speech is a group of voting-age individuals who are concerned about the apparent increase of shootings nation-wide, and would like to help deter that seeming trend. This would also be appropriate for any person who is concerned that the government seems to be encroaching on individual rights in this country. Significance: As the public debate continues on whether guns are too readily available, we see those who are pushing not only for the limitation of fire-arms but for the out-right ban and confiscation of all non-shooting sport weapons. This becomes extremely significant, because history teaches that the loss of personal protection weaponry is always followed by the loss of other human rights. Presentation Plan I. Introduction a. Audience hook: From Columbine to Sandy Hook and the Aurora, Colorado theater shootings we have seen mass shootings in the last fifteen years that have many calling for increased gun-control legislation, but what is the truth? b. Thesis statement: Research suggests that an increase in gun-control legislation will not result in increased...
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...Chang | 3/18/2013 | [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.] | It can be easily argued that we are currently living in a culture of violence. As we watch, read or listen to the news; daily incidents of individuals becoming victims of gun violence trumps the headlines. With tragic incidents such as the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut that occurred in December of 2012, as well as the mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado in July of 2012 occurring less than six months away from each other, prompted debate on a national level regarding the importance of gun control and mental illness. Other highly publicized mass shootings, such as the one that occurred in Tucson, Arizona in January of 2011, involving former US Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the mass shooting at Virginia Tech, along with the two events mentioned above, “all shared two common characteristics: all four shooters were mentally ill, and all four used guns with large capacity magazines, allowing them to fire multiple rounds of ammunition without reloading (Barry, 2013).” As the Second Amendment guarantees an individual’s right to bear arms, the issue at hand is: how can the government prevent guns from landing in the wrong hands, while at the same time, providing better mental health services...
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...Gun Control Effectiveness; Fact or Fiction Daryl L. Wassell COM/220 March 10, 2013 Robin Lyons Gun Control Effectiveness; Fact or Fiction The second amendment gave all citizens “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms”, and that right accordingly “shall not be infringed” (National Archives, 2012). Within this statement the founding fathers rose to the level of securing the countries new freedom with defense by any means necessary. While the second amendment permits gun ownership, it is also with the intent of securing our land from imminent national threat. As it states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State” (National Archives, 2013) affords the people the right to bear arms. The idea that the second amendment grants owners privilege to own assault rifles is ridiculous; however, more so is added legislation that yet has to prove deterrence of violence. To begin a debate on gun violence and legislation, one should start with where the escalation has come from, war. Many would believe that weapons of mass destruction have caused the greatest numbers of death around the world. In fact, no nuclear, biological, or mass acts of terror have done greater damage than standard munitions. Machine guns, rifles, and pistols are among the chief instruments of death. The figures are difficult to pinpoint but are estimated to be 60 to 90 percent of all deaths by armed conflict. Some estimate “the number of conflict deaths at 27,000–51,000...
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...Purpose, Audience, Significance What is the purpose of your speech? | The purpose of this speech is to persuade my audience that gun ownership can have a positive effect on the crime rate in the United States, and that protection of one’s self, family, and property is an inherent right. | | Who is your Audience? | My ideal audience for this speech would be those of voting age who identify themselves as “swing” voters, who can take to the polls to ensure that proper legislature will always be in place to ensure the basic rights of protection. This topic will also be beneficial to any groups or individuals who wish to inform themselves on the benefits of gun ownership in America. | | Why is your topic significant to your Audience? | This topic is significant to this audience because currently in America the belief is that crimes involving guns are on the rise and that there should be Legislation set in place that would severely hinder or remove the basic right of owning guns as set forth in the Constitution. That such legislation would have detrimental effects on rights and would cause current crime rates to rise. | | I. Introduction a. Attention Getter: America’s fascination and deep rooted devotion to the right to bear arms has not changed throughout its history in fact in recent years it has multiplied. Concealed carry permit holders are among the safest and most law abiding citizens in the nation committing misdemeanor and felonies at on sixth the rate...
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...Addressing Proposed Nationwide Gun Laws Scholars Roberto Del Angel, Jennifer Mitchell, Vanessa Salloum, Rachel Wright University of Texas at El Paso Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………..………………………………………………...…3Effects of Proposed Gun Laws…………………………………………..…………………......4-6Recommendations……………………………………………………………………………..7-12Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….13References………………………………………………………………………...……….....14-15Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………...16 | Smith & Wesson Corporation Business Proposal Addressing Proposed Nationwide Gun Laws Smith & Wesson's motto intends to protect the Second Amendment gun rights from attack. Although the company has been around for nearly two hundred years, it has seen its share of challenges from ownership to financial difficulties. Today, the main concern the Smith & Wesson Corporation is facing is of a legal matter as it relates to the gun laws in the United States. Those laws regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition. Presently, Congress is working towards a new gun law despite the fact that statistics have shown a steady decline in our nation's violence within the last decade. So why is Congress contemplating a new law and what impact will it have on the firearms industry? The purpose of this new law is to strengthen penalties against illegal firearms purchases. While it intends to increase safety, the new law would have a financial impact on gun corporations as it might considerably...
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...Gun Control Essay 1 Gun Control Essay 06/14/2015 The right to bear arms is guaranteed in the constitution by the Second Amendment. Many politicians are looking to amend the constitution any way they can to ban handguns or at least Gun Control Essay 2 restrict sales. The argument between pro and anti gun control has been debated for years, both with valid points. Many studies and factual data shows that strict gun control only removes guns from law-abiding citizens, but does not actually help reduce crime. Studies have shown that gun control cannot stop people from committing the crime because if a handgun ban were issued, there is evidence that citizens would not comply with the law, strict gun control does not reduce homicide rates, and studies have found that high crime rates have stimulated purchasing of guns rather than high gun ownership stimulating crime. While the Founding Fathers of this country were developing the system of government, as set forth in the Constitution, many feared that a standing army controlled by a strong central government would leave them helpless. The Federal Constitution contained no provisions to prohibit a standing army or allow states to create their own militias. The Constitution was signed by thirty-nine men from the twelve states represented at the Constitutional Convention on September 17 1787; three delegates refused to sign because of the absence of a bill of rights. Two years later, the First Congress agreed on...
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...Colorado State Senate President John Morse was not your typical arm’s-length, politically calculating legislator when it came to the issue of gun control. As an ex- policeman and paramedic, a man who personally had dealt with armed criminals, been shot at, and helped save the lives of shooting victims in the past (Dionne), he had a deeply personal connection with the topic, a perspective that endowed him with a unique resolve to fight for the safety of Colorado citizens. But following his gut and doing what he felt was best for his constituents, ironically, turned out not to be what his constituents demanded of him. Morse’s ardent support of five gun-control bills—including HB 1224, probably the most controversial of them (Stokols)—eventually led to Morse’s and fellow Senator Angela Giron’s recall, making the two politicians the first in Colorado’s history to be unseated in special elections (Healy). Morse was at the forefront of the successful effort in Colorado to pass sweeping legislation that tightened gun regulations and implemented extended background checks (Ferner, “John Morse, Colo.”) in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shootings of 2012. For his efforts, he was pursued vehemently by pro-gun activists and organizations (Millhiser). Morse persistently fought for his beliefs despite knowing the political risk he was taking in the purple state of Colorado, where voters are sharply divided on the issue (“Colorado Voters”). With “no regrets” (qtd. in Ferner, “State Sen...
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...FOUNDATION Connecting Research in Security to Practice Crisp Report ABOUT THE CRISP SERIES OF REPORTS Connecting Research in Security to Practice (CRISP) reports provide insights into how different types of security issues can be tackled effectively. Drawing on research and evidence from around the world, each report summarizes the prevailing knowledge about a specific aspect of security, then recommends proven approaches to counter the threat. Connecting scientific research with existing security actions helps form good practices. This series invites experts in specialist aspects of security to present their views on how to understand and tackle a security problem, using the best research evidence available. Reports are written to appeal to security practitioners in different types of organizations and at different levels. Readers will inevitably adapt what is presented to meet their own requirements. They will also consider how they can integrate the recommended actions with existing or planned programs in their organizations. This CRISP report focuses on firearms in the workplace and their relationship with workplace violence. Author Dana Loomis, PhD, discusses how firearms end up at workplaces, and then assesses a host of opportunities to prevent any ensuing problems. His recommendations provide solid ideas on how organizations can avoid becoming victims of workplace violence, and how to implement recommended solutions. His discussion helps security practitioners...
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...The gun control debate is one of the hottest topics of current media - and it will be discussed further in this paper. This research paper will be oriented against gun control, therefore being for gun ownership. Many aspects of gun control will be discussed, and the argument of this this research paper will be for gun rights and ownership. A lesser-known but important topic in the larger scale gun control debate is handicapped individuals owning a firearm and permit for self defense. Handicapped citizens are more opposed to gun control laws than most, due to the fact that some grips and stocks that are illegal are more necessary (Ennis, 2013). Assault-style weapons, such as AR-15’s, are very customizable, and such customizations could compensate for an individual’s disabilities. Banning that genre of firearms would remove the broad personalization options, and therefore making it more difficult for handicapped shooters to modify a gun to their needs. Also, some disabled shooters may have certain conditions that prevent them from assuming a normal shooting stance. If accommodations can made for the shooter to use their gun effectively, such as a lighter weight gun or laser...
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...that gun related violence is not a problem that requires attention. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearm homicides account for roughly 11,000 of the 16,000 homicides that occur the United States annually (2013). The subject of gun control has been a topic that has generated an enormous amount of controversy and attention. When one hears the term “gun violence”, vile acts against humanity, such as the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and Columbine High School, come to mind. More recently, the rise in extremist acts of terror has heightened the public’s concern over gun control. In the aftermath of multiple occasions, President Obama has publically called for stronger gun control laws, specifically calling for stricter background checks among other provisions. In response to the public’s concern for safety, the president used executive action which increased the number of businesses which require federal licenses to sell guns, thus increasing the number of dealers requiring background checks when selling firearms (National Conference of State Legislatures, 2016). This is, of course, not a one-sided argument. The subject creates strong feelings across the political spectrum. Gun rights groups, such as the NRA, suggest that gun control laws are not only unconstitutional, but actually leave citizens in more danger by preventing them from using their best form of protection (National Rifle Association, 2015). In 1994 Congress enacted the Brady Gun Control...
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...The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution Amendment II of the Unites States Constitution, commonly referred to as, “the right to bear arms”, is written as follows: “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.” This amendment was adopted along with 9 other amendments contained in the Bill of Rights, on December 15, 1791. At that point, it was merely a federal provision, and the states varied on their choices of how to include the right to bear arms in their own constitution. In fact, some chose not to include it at all. It has been described as an auxiliary right, supporting the natural rights of self-defense. Political thought at the time was rightfully concerned about political corruption and governmental tyranny. A personal right to bear arms was a potential check against tyranny. The wording of the amendment is somewhat ambiguous, and has been subjected to much interpretation. Additionally, the exact wording and punctuation of the amendment changes from document to document, until its final version, the way it appears in the Bill of Rights. In modern commentary, the different opinions have been classified into 3 interpretive models: 1) Individual- rights model → it is the right of an individual to own and possess firearms. 2) The collective model → the right belongs to people collectively rather than individuals; the rights only purpose is to enable...
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...T HIS HOW NRA E A BIGGER, RICHER, MEANER GUN-CONTROL S IS T HE ENDS MOVEMENT HAS ARRIVED. BY ALEC MACGILLIS 18 JUNE 10, 2013 THE NEW REPUBLIC buyers failed in the Senate, and the fatalistic shrugs in Washington were so numerous they were nearly audible. The legislation had been a modest bipartisan compromise, supported by 90 percent of the public and lobbied for hard by the president. A group backed by Michael Bloomberg had spent $12 million on ads pressuring senators to vote “yes.” When the bill fell short—by just ve votes—it seemed to con rm a Beltway article of faith: There’s no point messing with the National Ri e Association (NRA). And that, many assumed, was the last we’d be hearing about gun reform. But then something unexpected happened. Some of the senators who’d voted “no” faced furious voters back home. Even before Erica La erty, the daughter of murdered Sandy Hook Elementary principal Dawn Hochsprung, confronted New Hampshire Republican Kelly Ayotte at a particularly tense town hall, Ayotte’s disapproval rating in the state had jumped from 35 to 46 percent—half the respondents said her “no” vote made them less likely to support her. In Pennsylvania, which has the second-highest concentration of NRA members in the country, the bill’s Republican co-sponsor, Pat Toomey, saw his approval reach a record high. One of the country’s best-known gun-rights advocates, Robert Levy, said the NRA’s “stonewalling of the background-check proposal was a mistake, both...
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...Internet Resources 1. Agresti, James D., and Reid K. Smith. "Gun Control Facts." 11 Feb. 2013 Web 18 Sept. 2014. http://www.justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp. This is a web document in which the authors cover pure statistics and facts. Graphs, tables, quotes, and statistics are all that this piece contains. This resource is useful since it was updated a little more than a year ago with the most recent data and continues to be updated as new stats and facts become available. It is also neutral in nature, giving just the facts and referencing both the affirmative and negative sides of the argument. 2. McEntee, Peg. “Utah Teacher Shoots Herself in Leg With Concealed Weapon.” Huffington Post 11 Sept. 2014 Web 18 Sept. 2014 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/11/teacher-shoots-self-concealed-weapon_n_5807826.html?utm_hp_ref=gun-control The Huffington Post is a news site with an entire section dedicated to news surrounding gun control, both recent and past. This article is helpful because it outlines the concealed carry laws in Utah schools, a state which has closely modeled it’s laws after Colorado’s. This article is useful because it describes some of the negative effect that concealed carry on campus has for the person carrying as well as the student population/their parents if they find out about the firearm. 3. Students for Concealed Carry. “Common Arguments Against Campus Carry.” Concealed Campus 2011-2012 Web Sept. 18 2014 http://concealedcampus.org/common-arguments/ ...
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