Premium Essay

Weapons

In: Historical Events

Submitted By pepelotre
Words 727
Pages 3
The right to bear arms.

I) History of guns in USA.

a) Colonisation.

The united states was forged through a war of independance and a civil war which turned into a united nation. The conquest of the whole territory was achieved through wars against indians and spanish.
But they had to be protected from the wild animals, they had to hunt …
Then they all had to defend themselves and the country against the ennemies of the country. After the revolution war, everybody had a weapon.
Militias had the job to protect the community, it was not real army or police, but just citizen that care about security.
Prior to the American Revolution there was neither budget nor manpower nor government desire to maintain a full-time army. Therefore, the armed citizen-soldier carried the responsibility. Service in militia, including providing one's own ammunition and weapons, was mandatory for all men.
But the real change occured with the civil war. It was the first time that huge military forces were involved in a conflict. Gun manufacturers started taking orders from the union and the confederacy.
When the war was over, the soldiers were allowed to take their guns home.

b) 2nd amendement.
The Second Amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791, as part of the first ten amendments comprising the Bill of Rights.

Many states or cities tried to avoid guns, but it never succeed, and the suprem court always make unconstitutional the bans.

The plaintiff in Heller challenged the constitutionality of the Washington D.C. handgun ban, a statute that had stood for 32 years. Many considered the statute the most stringent in the nation. the Court, meticulously detailing the history and tradition of the Second Amendment at the time of the Constitutional Convention, proclaimed that the Second Amendment established an individual right for U.S. citizens to possess firearms

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Weapons

...The dictionary describes proliferation as a rapid growth or production of new parts or cells. When referring to weapon proliferation, it needs to stop. While reading the article, I continued to notice the author was referring to small arms and light weapons as different entities, and I don’t really understand the difference. When doing further research I found; “Small arms and light weapons are man-portable weapons made or modified to military specifications for use as lethal instruments of war. Small arms are broadly categorized as those weapons intended for use by individual members of armed or security forces. They include revolvers and selfloading pistols; rifles and carbines; sub-machine guns; assault rifles; and light machine guns. Light weapons are broadly categorized as those weapons intended for use by several members of armed or security forces serving as a crew. They include heavy machine guns; hand-held under-barrel and mounted grenade launchers; portable anti-aircraft guns; portable anti-tank guns; recoilless rifles; portable launchers of anti-tank missile and rocket systems; portable launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems; and mortars of calibers less than 100 mm (Small Arms and Light Weapons SA/LW).” Although there is a difference between the two, I can agree that both are detrimental to the safety of the world and innocent bystanders to the “new business of war.” Small arms have become one of the main components in war, and according to Global Issues,...

Words: 557 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Weapons In Into The Wild

...Weapons are a key tool to include when going on a very long trip across America, especial when you are isolated in the Alaskan wilderness. A rifle is your friend, protector, supplier, and a major component in surviving the winter up north. In the book, Into the Wild, we meet a young man by the name of Chris Mccandless, how he hitchhiked all across America, through Canada, and up into Alaska. Wherever he went, whatever he did, he always had his rifle inside his pack. Its how he survived when he made his way up to Alaska, without it, i'm sure he would have died as soon as he got into the isolated, frozen world he so excitedly wanted to be in. The symbol of the book was a .22 caliber hunting rifle that Chris took on his trip. The rifle ties...

Words: 599 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Weapons In The Renaissance Era

...Throughout the Renaissance time period militaries were very active and powerful.This was due to the fact that they had many weapons and naval ships. Along with the formations and tactics used in battle. This led to major and bloody battles. Wars were so terrible because renaissance militaries were powerful and effective. There were many weapons used during the Renaissance period. One of the most widely used weapons was the sword. It was the weapon of choice for close range fights. The sword was double edged and designed to slash and cut enemies not stab. As time went on though, plate armour was made the sword could no longer cut through the armour, so new swords were made that were designed to stab. This is how the Rapier was designed and made.(LaRocca”Arms”) Another weapon used during the Renaissance period was the Lance the lance was a shaft weapon. It was twelve feet long with a sharp steel tip on the end. It was mainly used on horseback with cavalry charges. The Halberd was the infantry version of the Lance. It was five to seven feet long and was a combination of an axe and a short sword. At the top of the shaft was the short sword and the axe head on the side.(LaRocca”Arms”)...

Words: 864 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nuclear Weapons

...24 March 2013 English 105 Abolition of Weapons of Mass Destruction Leading to the instantaneous deaths of over 140,000 people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, nuclear weapons are the most dangerous and unnecessary hazard for not only the United States, but all nations around the world (Cimbala 51). Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) including nuclear weapons, were deemed “totally irrational, totally inhumane, good for nothing but killing, [and] possibly leading to the destruction of life on Earth and civilization” by Ronald Reagan at the formation of the nuclear age (Shultz 2). Nuclear weapons cost the United States enormous amounts of money every year, result in the proliferation of nuclear weapons to other nations, concentrate power undemocratically and risk nuclear accidents; therefore, should be utterly eliminated. United States spending not only includes the manufacture of weapons, but also upkeep of the weapons, compensation for the fallout when testing the weapons, compensation to citizens with radiation exposure, emergency locations for citizens, recovery and waste disposal efforts, and defense spending. According to the Brookings Nuclear Weapons Cost Study Project the United States disbursed an estimated $35.1 billion on all U.S. nuclear weapons and weapon related programs (Schwartz 7). $14 billion is set aside to maintain and house the nearly 20,000 nuclear weapons across the United States (Kimbrell 1). If these weapons were eliminated billions of dollars could...

Words: 918 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nuclear Weapons

...Nuclear Weapons In 1939, scientist Albert Einstein wrote a letter to the United States president of the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt, concerning the research of splitting a uranium atom that could lead to the development of an atomic bomb in Germany. In the letter, Einstein wrote,”It may be possible to set off a nuclear chain reaction in a large mass of uranium, by which large amounts of power and new radium like elements would be generated.” He continued,” This new development could lead to the creation of bombs, and as it seems, but less likely, the construction of an even bigger, new type of bomb.” President Roosevelt, although skeptical at first, decided to go through with the research and in 1941 the Manhattan Project was born. Four years later on August 6, the United States Dropped the first nuclear atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima wiping out 90 percent of the city, killing more than 80,000 people, and later tens of thousands more. Then again on August 9, another bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki and killing more than 40,000. 6 days later, the Emperor of Japan announced Japan’s official surrender to the United States in World War II. The effects and after effects of the the two bombs dropped shocked the entire world, even those a part of the Manhattan Project. The Japanese Emperor Hirohito described the bombs as the ”new and most cruel bomb.” This research paper will discuss the pros and cons of the use of nuclear weapons among different countries...

Words: 918 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Nuclear Weapon

...A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. In 1896, Henri Becquerel was investigating phosphorescence in uranium salts when he discovered a new phenomenon which came to be called radioactivity. He,with his fellow scientists began investigating the phenomenon. In the process, they isolated the element radium, which is highly radioactive. They discovered that radioactive materials produce intense, penetrating rays of three distinct sorts, which they labeled alpha, beta, and gamma after the Greek letters. Soon they were declared to be harmful when used in large amounts. All the early researchers received various radiation burns, much like sunburn, and thought little of it. Gradually it was realized that the radiation produced by radioactive decay was ionizing radiation, and that even quantities too small to burn posed a severe long-term hazard. Many of the scientists working on radioactivity died of cancer as a result of their exposure. When discovered on the eve of World War II, this insight led multiple countries to begin programs investigating the possibility of constructing an atomic bomb — a weapon which utilized fission reactions to generate far more energy than could be created with chemical explosives. The Manhattan Project, run by the United States with the help of...

Words: 632 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Pros And Cons Of Military Weapons

...Military grade weapons should not be available to American citizens. For example, civilians in the U.S. are untrained in the way of handling weapons of such a high caliber. If regular people were meant to use them, soldiers would not have to be trained in that area. Because citizens are not properly taught to use extremely high-grade weapons, the people doing the handling could severely injure themselves. In addition, it is unnecessary to use a semi-automatic rifle to hunt or for self-defense. Although they are used for these purposes and some people would prefer that method, there are many other pieces of equipment that can do the job just as nicely. Bows, rifles, handguns, etc. can have the same effect. Furthermore, military grade...

Words: 282 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Concealed Weapons Positives And Negatives

...In many states in the U.S, such as Utah and North Carolina citizens are allowed to carry a concealed weapon on them at all times. Being able to carry a concealed weapon means that people have a weapon, typically a pistol, which they keep hidden on their body. This law has its positives and negatives but the negatives outweigh the positives. Some major reasons concealed carry is a bad thing are that it gives easy access to guns, crime is increased and it causes conflicts to get out of hand. One of the worst things that go along with being able to carry a concealed weapon is that it gives easy access to guns to everyone. This means that anyone can easily get a gun which is dangerous because there are a lot of people that would...

Words: 472 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Nuclear Weapons

...Have nuclear weapons reduced the number of worldwide conflicts? The correlation between nuclear weapons and world stability has been a controversial topic and the subject of heated discussions in recent years – there is a growing widespread belief that nuclear weapons create a more secure world by preventing hostilities from escalating. However, while nuclear weapons certainly do bring positive aspects, there is a good amount of evidence to suggest that they might not discourage but actually increase armed conflicts. This report will go over the benefits and downsides of nuclear weapons, and will examine specific examples in order to determine whether they have had a positive or negative effect in the number of worldwide-armed conflicts. Nuclear weapons were first created in the form of a bomb, during World War 2. They were the product of extensive research, known as the Manhattan Project, funded by the United States government and under the direction of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the military supervision of General Leslie Groves. Created by means of atomic fusion and fission, they were intended to give the US the upper hand in the war and mark the beginning of American hegemony in the world. The atomic bomb was tested on July 16, 1945 at Trinity site, in New Mexico. After a successful explosion, the bomb was ready to use against Japan and end the war in the Pacific. Officials agreed the attack had to be powerful and shocking so the world would see the United States was in control;...

Words: 2148 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Nuclear Weapons

...5/3/2016 Should we spend money on the next generation of nuclear weapons or Should we destroy all existing weapons? In my opinion, I think we should spend more money on the next generation of nuclear weapons, but I guess a lot of people will oppose me. They will like to do that, destroy all existing weapons, because they think the world is peace, why country still need to research the nuclear weapons. It is so danger and destroy environment if country use it. But the nuclear weapons really can protect the country. If the country have nuclear weapons, other country will afraid fight with you. Undeniable, nuclear weapons really have harm thing, but i still think it have more benefit. The benefit thing with spend money on the next generation will make the country become stronger. Think about that, if our country or government don’t have nuclear weapons confusion, the country will be weaker and weaker, how can our country fight with some country have nuclear weapons. The enemy country don’t even need to fight, they just need to use nuclear weapons, and we will lose our home. They don’t need to scared our country, because our country can’t do that, we don’t have nuclear weapons. So, somebody will ask that, how about we destroy all nuclear weapons in the world, so the country will not fight. I think the world will become confusion without nuclear, because government will not scared about the nuclear weapons, the developed country can easy to win the developing country...

Words: 367 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Persuasive Essay On Concealed Weapons

...Concealed weapons protect a lot of people. When people are in danger they protect themselves with concealed weapons. There are big reasons why people should and shouldn’t use concealed weapons. Not everyone understands what concealed weapons are, how they are sold, and what they are used for. Some people don’t know what concealed weapons are. Concealed weapons are weapons that are concealed or hidden. When people carry a weapon they have to have a carry permit. A carry permit is a license saying people can carry that weapon. When someone asks a person if they carry a weapon, it means, do they have one with them at all times. In 1895 it was not as easy to get a permit as it is now. Concealed weapons are just hidden weapons. Selling concealed...

Words: 433 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Medieval Weapons In The Middle Ages

...Medieval Weapons In medieval times, there were many types of weapons. Some of these included the lance, the axe, the bow, the dagger, the sword, the Morningstar, the longbow, the crossbow, and many more. Warriors in the medieval era did not use gunpowder much, as it was rare and not invented until the High Middle Ages. There were over twenty weapons in the Middle Ages. Out of these weapons the sword, the crossbow, and the longbow were the most useful. The sword, one of the most useful of the medieval weapons, was commonly used by knights. This double-edged piece of sharp, metal could pierce through chainmail, which was the common armor in the Middle Ages. Chainmail consisted of many metal rings linked together, making a flexible mesh-like garment. The sword could be extremely long, and could decapitate an unarmored victim in one clean stroke. These weapons could be up to six feet long, which was good because it gave the wielder, a long reach. Another advantage was the fact that there were many different types of sword. Some of these were a broadsword, a longsword, a falchion, a greatsword, and a scimitar. This...

Words: 680 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

What Are Medieval Weapons

...Without medieval warfare and weapons development, we might not have as advanced technology today. First, medieval weapons played a huge part in warfare. Some common weapons were the bow, sword, and mace. There were two types of bows, the crossbow, and the longbow. Longbows were usually used by the Welsh or English people, and took years to master, much longer time than the crossbow. The years of training were worth it, though, because they could shoot up to 12 arrows per minute, and their arrows could pierce armour. The crossbow had a longer range than the longbow, and more power. Another weapon was the sword. It had a either one or two-sided blade with a hilt and pommel to balance it. They were usually a symbol of war, and were made for purely military uses. We can tell that...

Words: 645 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Essay On Ww2 Weapons

...Many kinds of weapons were used in the Second World War. And of those weapons, many of them were brand new technology, developed for the war. The countries in this war all had their own special branches of technology, and used them to create weapons of destruction, ensuring their winning the battle, and bringing their soldiers home. There were three large contributors to the weapons front of the war: Small Arms, Tanks, and the Atomic Bomb. In this paper, I will explain what those weapons were, what they did, and how they fared on the battlefield. Many of the weapons in the war were small arms, used for combat between people. One of the most common small arms were pistols (World War 2 Weapons). However, they were extremely ineffective, and were only used at close range. The U.S. had some of the best pistols carried, an m1911 (World War 2 Weapons). Pistols were carried by tank crews, infantry officers, and pilots in case of an emergency. The different countries had different pistols, with the U.S. having the best one and Japan having one of the worst. Rifles were also used extensively in the war. However, many people went into battle carrying WWI rifles, which did not work as well as the newer versions....

Words: 554 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Weapons Related Matters

...Nuclear weapons related matters are dealt with by different governmental organizations. The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for the operational nuclear stockpile (Arkin and Norris, 1997). In addition that, the Department of Defense is also involved in dismantling retired nuclear stockpile and other nuclear weapons (“The Nuclear Matters Handbook”, 2011). The Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for carrying out research activities, producing nuclear weapons, and dismantling nuclear warheads and radioactive substances. The Department of Energy also handles nuclear weapons that are being repaired and carries out quality assurance activities to ensure maximum quality of the weapons produced (Arkin and Norris, 1997; “The Nuclear Matters Handbook”, 2011). The Department of Defense and the Department of Energy are jointly responsible for nuclear weapons under the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The NNSA itself is responsible for supervising and overlooking domains such as “design, evaluation, quality assurance, repair, modification, refurbishment, dismantlement, disposal, and security” of nuclear weapons that are under the charge of the DOE (“The Nuclear Matters Handbook”, 2011). On the other hand the DOD is primarily involved in handling all the nuclear weapons; it sets the requirements for the nuclear weapons; creates, fields, and maintains...

Words: 516 - Pages: 3