The Problems With Second Amendment And The Need For Stricter Gun Control
Gun control is one of the most controversial topics in history. Recently, we have seen a massive increase in crimes involving gun violence. Many lives have been lost and many more permanently damaged. The issue regarding gun control and gun violence has reached its all-time high, with fifty-five thousand incidents reported in 2018. Fifteen thousand people from these incidents died due to gun violence . These are horrific numbers when put into perspective. 15,000 lives were taken by guns, or by the hands of those who manned the guns. Many questions arise when the controversial topic is mentioned. Some of these questions revolve around the idea of universal background checks or stricter gun control policies. Some even question the existence of guns in general. Others bring up the view that more guns could result in less violence due to self-defense and other factors. My side on this topic is simple, we need more gun control. Today’s society has seen to many tragedies involving gun violence. The recent Mosque shootings in Australia is one example. Another prime example that is prominent my own life is the multiple school shootings that have occurred that have left many teachers and, especially, students dead and many families inevitably, permanently damaged.
Before we dive into the argumentative part of this essay, we must first discuss gun violence and statistic involving guns. This will ensure that we have a thorough, educated background and better understanding which help strengthen the argument as a whole. So to begin, what are guns? The basic definition of guns is a “weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells or other missiles are propelled by explosive force”. Also, there are many terms that label guns. Some of these terms include “high caliber, 12-guage, and double barrel”. These labels and terminology set each gun apart and describes/exemplifies the different purposes each gun has. Guns come in all different shapes and sizes which, again, sets the, apart for the different purposes each inhibits. The main component of a gun that fires and does all the damage is the bullet. Bullets are large metal pieces that tear to the intended target. This can be flesh, bulls-eye targets, or animals during hunting. Usually, the mechanics of a gun combined with gun powder fires the bullet at its high velocity and excelling acceleration. These dangerous weapons are to be handled witch are as they can potentially end lives and cause permanent damage leading to catastrophic injuries.
Furthermore, you’ve probably heard of the statement, '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 is the second amendment listed clearly in the Bill of Rights (law.cornell.edu). There are many problems/issues with this. One, the time period that this was written in was much different. In addition, this can be interpreted in many different ways. Many definitions in the second amendment are negotiable and interchangeable. The word infringed is problematic because it can be interpreted in different ways. The types of guns are not also clearly listed. Although we have many restrictions on guns today, they are still a problematic issue in today’s society. The primary argument against stricter gun control is stating the second amendment and statin gtat it is going against the morals and fundamentals that our founding fathers set forth. We will further discuss the second amendment in the next paragraph.
Many court cases also discuss the topic of gun control, and more specifically, the second amendment. “In 1939 the U.S. Supreme Court considered the matter in United States v. Miller. 307 U.S. 174. The Court adopted a collective rights approach in this case, determining that Congress could regulate a sawed-off shotgun that had moved in interstate commerce under the National Firearms Act of 1934 because the evidence did not suggest that the shotgun 'has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia. The Court then explained that the Framers included the Second Amendment to ensure the effectiveness of the military”. This court case is a prime example of the many questions that arise due to guns and the second amendments different interpretations. It causes much controversy leads to many other heated arguments, debates, and court cases.
Another major court case happened about 70 years later which changes some rulings and strengthened the second amendment. “In 2008 the U.S. Preeminent Court returned to the issue on account of District of Columbia v. Heller (07-290). The offended party in Heller tested the dependability of the Washington D.C. handgun boycott, a resolution that had represented 32 years. Many considered the resolution the most stringent in the country. In a 5-4 choice, the Court, carefully itemizing the history and custom of the Second Amendment at the season of the Constitutional Convention, announced that the Second Amendment set up an individual appropriate for U.S. natives to have guns and struck down the D.C. handgun boycott as violative of that right. The lion's share cut out Miller as a special case to the general standard that Americans may have guns, guaranteeing that well behaved natives can't utilize sawed-off shotguns for any honest reason. So also, the Court in its dicta discovered guidelines of comparative weaponry that can't be utilized for honest purposes as laws that would not embroil the Second Amendment. Further, the Court proposed that the United States Constitution would not forbid guidelines forbidding offenders and the rationally sick from gun ownership.” All this is basically highlighting that guns are causing problems, which is leading to money being spent on court cases and people lives being altered.
Now that we have discussed some background about the regulations and court rulings, we must begin discussing the topic of gun violence. In the introduction, I had stated some statistics about gun violence in 2018. I have now gathered data of gun use and violence in 2019. Here is a data table/chart that involves all the gun related incidents of 2019 so far. Take a close look at these numbers. These are outlasting numbers that should bring tremors to ones well-being. There have been 4,544 deaths caused by guns. Additionally, more prominently, many children and teenagers have suffered by the terrible wrath of gun violence. This should be a concern, as the new generation will lead us one day, and if they are constantly under the reassure and influence of guns and its horrible wrath, the future does not seem so bright. This is also very self-connecting as I could be one of those casualties on the list. I myself attend school, go to my religious prayer space, and I don’t feel safe there all the time.
People may say that “guns don’t kill people, people kill people, but, if these people did not have guns in their possession, they would not be able to cause the destructive and harmful effects. Guns are powerful weapons, not self-defense aids. That is why the self-defense aspect is not valid. You will not need to defend yourself from guns, if the wrong people don’t get there hands on guns in first place. This can be accomplished by universal background checks that make it harder for people to purchase guns. Recently, Australia banned many guns that are unnecessary. One does not need an AR-15 under there bed for “self-defense.” Again, it is unnecessary. Therefore, another proposition is banning unnecessary guns. However, to deem a gun unnecessary for the public to obtain and use, there needs to be more throughout research and analysis throughout the census of the U.S, and even take into account the rest of the world. We should not have to protect ourselves from our own people. It is immoral. America is the home of the free and the land of the brave. We should not have to protect ourselves in the comfort of our own home. Although this is a emotional comparison that may not hold widely true, it highlights why there is an urgent need for setting people straight and correcting people’s views. Acceptance, conformity, racism, and stereotypes are all factors that affect our current gun control situation. This will be further discussed in the next paragraph.
How are we supposed to live in a world where anywhere we are, our home, our school, our church, in the open of the streets, a bullet can enter our skin, cause us to fall to the ground and never get up again? Especially in today’s society, where equality and morals are strived to be best it can be, stricter gun control hasn’t happened yet. Guns are the opposite of possessing good morals. The simplistic, instantaneous action of pulling a trigger to end a life isn’t at all what we want in a society where we are all striving for compatibility and success. In fact, according to the FBI’s recent report in 2015, 548 deaths were caused by major guns: shotguns and rifles. Why do people with an incentive to murder even have access to guns like these? If there was gun control, all these deaths could’ve been prevented. In today’s news, more than ever, we are hearing more about mass shootings than ever. Even, the innocence of the youth are being affected. Kids in schools wanting to learn are at the same time risking their lives to the probable risk of being gunned down. A shooter could easily walk through the front of the school doors and start spraying everyone in sight, just because the assault rifle was so accessible. These people who choose to gun down rather than having the gun to possess for protection don’t have the correct morals. We can’t predict their moves meaning they shouldn’t even have access to guns in the first place. A nation must have strict gun laws for each territory so the import of guns can’t occur easily. California is a good example of having good gun laws: background checks, safety certificates, tests to pass (especially mental tests as mental people are a big cause of murders with guns), the police chief in the area having knowledge of one’s possession, records of all purchases, and an age restriction, of course. Because guns can cause one’s death because one another’s irrational decision, either due to personal or mental reasons, it’s just plain immoral to even let people have a chance to do it. There’s no point in risking an unnecessary death.
All in all, there is an urgent need for stricter gun control. There have been too many deaths and lives damaged due to uncontrolled gun violence. To summarize all the previous statements and facts discussed in previous paragraphs, We need stricter gun control. Whether it be through universal background checks, or bans of specific guns in general, gun control is necessary for the preservation of life. Today’s gun violence is preventing citizens from their natural born rights. These natural born rights are life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Setting down specific rules and regulations on guns will prevent mass shootings and allow people to feel safe. Simply, there have been too many deaths. School shootings, the recent synagogue shootings, and gang violence are all examples of why we need stricter gun control. For the benefit and preservation of the future of the United States of America, please take this into consideration and open your mind up to the betterment of this wonderful nation. How are we supposed to live in a world where anywhere we are, our home, our school, our church, in the open of the streets, a bullet can enter our skin, cause us to fall to the ground and never get up again? Especially in today’s society, where equality and morals are strived to be best it can be, stricter gun control hasn’t happened yet. Guns are the opposite of possessing good morals. The simplistic, instantaneous action of pulling a trigger to end a life isn’t at all what we want in a society where we are all striving for compatibility and success.
