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Gun Control

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Gun Control
Gun Control
Persecution of lawful gun owners is the new civil rights battle, many Americans claim. As civilization has progressed, the weapons that coincide with this event have changed and increased in power as well as effectiveness. These guns do not occur only in war, as they have been used as a tool to hunt for food, and a means of protection for many households. There are many sides to this controversial topic as to how and if these weapons should or can be controlled. In these divisive political times, gun safety and gun rights are too often pitted against each other. This paper will examine the following: 1. What did our founding fathers say about firearms? 2. The shootings that led some Americans to believe that gun control is a good thing. 3. What happens when the government takes weapons? 4. Do more guns equal less crime?
What Did Our Founding Fathers Say About Firearms?
In 1791, The Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The Second Amendment 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." (Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, 1791) Our Founding Fathers coped with serious questions and bestowed to us a powerful responsibility: to guard the rights conferred on Americans and to live responsibly alongside one another. The purpose of the Second Amendment is to arm Americans in order to prevent a tyrannical government.
An armed populace under the 2nd Amendment is completely consistent with the language of the founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence –
"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness.



References: Barron, J. (December 15, 2012). "Children were all shot multiple times with a semiautomatic, officials say". The New York Times. Web. 17 July 2013. Childress, C., and Childress, H. (2013) "Mass shootings: An issue for white men." Washington Post. A.17. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Jul 2013. Giffords, G. (2013) "Gun rights come with responsibility." USA TODAY. p. A.10. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Jul 2013. Horwitz, S. (2013) "States move to restrict gun magazines as federal..." Washington Post. n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Jul 2013. Jones, N., J., and A. (2013) "Permits soar to allow more concealed guns." Wall Street Journal. p. A.3. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Jul 2013. Palazzolo, N., J., and J. (2013) "Pro-gun laws gain ground." Wall Street Journal. p. A.1 SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Jul 2013. Toppo, G. (2013) "Civil rights groups say 'no ' to more police in schools." USA TODAY. A.3. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 10 Jul 2013. Watson, P. J. (7 January 2013) “Statistics prove: More guns, less crime.” FBI Uniform Crime Reports. Infowars.com, Web. 17 July 2013 "The Warning Signs that Could Have Prevented the Virginia Tech Shootings". School Violence: Weapons, Crime & Bullying. nscc1.org. Web. 17 July 2013. "20 children among dead at school shooting in Connecticut". CBC News. December 14, 2012. Web. 17 July 2013

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