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Andrew Negri
English 100
Professor Morean
December 4, 2014
The Gun Control Debate
A World Wrought With Violence
Violent crime in America is a disturbing reality. The utilization of guns in the
commission of crimes is occurring at an increasing rate. As a result the government has
intervened on the issue by imposing new laws and restrictions on firearms in an effort to
decrease the rising rate of crime. Unfortunately, criminals by definition are those who
are not concerned with complying with laws. These individuals have no regard for the
law or their society, irrespective of the number of laws in existence. The logic, of having
more gun control and anti-violence laws will somehow prevent those who do not respect
the laws, from committing those very crimes, appears flawed. Prior to the founding of the
United States, Americans were oppressed by the British government. Firearms were the
only tools which enabled them to defend themselves from the tyranny of government.
The constitutional right for an individual to own a firearm is fundamental. In addition, in
areas of the country where law-abiding citizens are allowed to carry concealed weapons,
crime has actually decreased in those areas. Unfortunately the government continues to
focus on restricting firearms ownership on law abiding Americans.

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The Organic Paper Our Fore Father Gave Life To
The United States, founded as constitutional republic, included in its constitution,
the Bill of Rights. This constitution was ratified by the congress with the intent of
preventing a return to the oppressive British system of rule. The founders were extremely
concerned about the tyranny of government, and the individuals right to selfpreservation; the right of the individual to own a firearm was created as the second right.
The actual text of the second amendment to the constitution, 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. (Second Amendment, United
States Constitution) This right is second only to the first amendment of the constitution,
which ensures every US citizen the freedom of speech and expression, in all forms.
Without this second amendment right in place, the other amendments could easily be
stripped away. A firearm helps to ensure the protection of an individual and his or her
own property. While The United States was founded on the very right to own a firearm,
with the rate of gun related violence rising, it is vital for individuals be allowed to defend
themselves, their property, and others form those individuals and governments who wish
to wrongfully cause harm.
The Supreme Court has also demonstrated to the general public in one of its more
recent cases regarding the second amendment right to possess a firearm. In the federal
case of the District of Columbia vs. Heller it ruled . the Second Amendment to the
U.S. Constitution confers an individual right to possess a firearm for traditionally lawful
purposes such as self-defense.(Acosta) This further demonstrates just how relevant the
second amendment is to the United States people nearly two hundred years after its

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founding. Justice Antonin Scalia also stated that as citizens of the United States, all
people are entitled to revolt against the government when it becomes oppressive and
violates the very principles it solemnly swore to protect and uphold (Cecsca). During the
ruling of the case it was also pointed out by the Justice, the text referencing a well
regulated militia (Second Amendment United States Constitution) was still applicable
today; this phrase was necessary in preventing the elimination(Greenhouse) of the
citizen-based militia and their right own a firearm (Greenhouse). Even though our
current society may no longer appear to be at risk of oppression, it is still no excuse to
dispose of a natural human right.
Scalia also pointed out how limits to the second amendment do exist, and what
they encompass. In the future he believed how certain laws would not be able to protect
against the ownership of certain weapons. Obviously, the Amendment does not apply
to arms unable to be hand-carried -- its to keep and bear, so it doesnt apply to cannons
-- but I suppose there are hand-held rocket launchers that can bring down airplanes, that
will have to be decided, Scalia said.(Lee) Although the constitution does defend this
right, a weapon that dangerous could pose as serious threat to other individuals. This
demonstrates the fine line, which exists between owning a firearm and a high-grade
explosive weapon capable of leveling a small house..

Terror And Pandemonium In the Streets

The United States is often compared with Britain, a country which has banned the
private ownership of firearms. While Britain has experienced a significantly lower level
of crimes related to firearms; however, the country experienced a higher number of

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crimes involving other weapons, such as knives. In the UK there are 2,034 violent
crimes per 100,000 people.The US has a violent crime rate of 466 [violent] crimes per
100,000 residents.(Bier) The UK has a violent crime rate that is actually higher than
South Africas. (Bier) In major U.S. urban areas and cities where guns have been
completely banned, there is an increased amount crime, as compared to areas, which
allow for individuals to carry concealed weapons. This would appear to be a logical
outcome: if there are abiding citizens restricted from legally owning firearms can be
victimized, with impunity, by criminals who will illegally access firearms.
The United States has been labeled as one of the most dangerous countries in
regards to gun related violence. In Brazil the murder rate is almost 50,000 deaths in the
year of 2012 according to Conde. Even in the Brazilian state of Alagoas, the rate rose to
nearly 140 murders per capital of 100,000. Brazil also has a strict gun control system in
effect, which prevents the private sale of firearms. With no tools to defend themselves,
these citizens are left at the mercy of dangerous criminals. (Conde). The Brazilian gun
control laws provide evidence of what could happen if people are unable to protect
themselves or their families. She believes the killers are from her own community, and
says that three of them still live in her village. They have never been detained, she says.
Ms. Claudio now fears for the two other sons who still live with her.(Fellet) Ms.
Claudio represents thousands of other Brazilian civilians who are forced to live absolute
fear as criminals freely roam the streets wreaking havoc.
In the United States one of the most dangerous and dilapidated cities in the nation,
Detroit, actually witnessed a drop its atrocious crime rate. The police chief himself
advocated for citizens to arm themselves with concealed handguns. In addition to the

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drop in robberies, Detroit has seen 22 percent fewer break-ins of businesses and homes
and 30 percent fewer carjackings in 2014 than during the same period last
year(Chasmar). When gun control laws are in effect, the criminal knows his victim will
be unarmed as well as any bystanders nearby. If people are permitted to carry concealed,
firearms criminals are unable to distinguish gun owners from non-owners, forcing them
to avoid the confrontation (Chasmar).
Another example of a reduction in violent crime is the city of Kennesaw, Georgia;
which has mandated every household must possess a firearm with ammunition. The town
reported only twenty-one crimes in 2011, and a majority of the community claimed they
felt safe with this implementation. The high rate of gun ownership in Kennesaw rivals
the notion in which the elimination of all firearms, in countries like Australia, is the only
way to eradicate gun violence (Rainey).
Switzerland has also has a high gun ownership rate, yet it is one of the twenty
safest countries in the world. According to Fortin, Switzerland has a conscription system,
which requires all citizens to serve in national defense force. Afterwards each retiree is
permitted to retain possession of his or her own weapon (Fortin). In that type of
environment, criminals understand anybody around them could be in possession of a
firearm. Forcing these individuals to rethink the trouble they might be bringing upon
themselves.
Civilians untrained on how to effectively operate a firearm may actually
provide a problem for law enforcement. As stated by Glanton, a police officer pursuing
the suspect had to duck for cover, not knowing where the shots were coming from,
Crestwood police said. No one was injured. (Glanton). This example demonstrates when

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equipped with proper tools, civilians are willing to take a stand against injustice.
However, this does not mean every individual with a gun is entitled to shoot wherever,
but rather they must learn responsibility. The best method would be to have a mandatory
background check and a training session just prior to the purchasing of a firearm. The
average American has a desire for self-defense, but not a desire to recklessly assault other
individuals.

Vagueness Of Weaponry
In an effort reduce the amount shootings throughout the nation; the government has
begun enacting laws aimed to primarily ban assault weapons (Werner). After the
Newtown shooting President Obama began pushing for stricter gun laws on military style
weapons especially, because of the emotional outrage in caused across the country. The
president believes the future will be determined by how well firearms in the United States
will be regulated. (Werner) However, the term assault weapon was political term coined
to represent any gun seen as a threat, but it turned out to be overly vague. What the
United States government fails to understand is by banning these military look-alike
weapons, these laws will have almost zero effect on gun violence. The reason being,
most of the gun crimes in this nation involve a 9 millimeter pistol because its
concealable, not a large military rifle (Symth). Another issue with the gun regulation on
the part of the federal government is its own consistency with the laws themselves,
because ultimately the issue is to be left of up to the states, but this intervention may
actually do more harm than benefit to the American people. As Ronald Reagan stated,
Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.(Reagan)

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The Unknown Battle of The Activists

The largest organizations in the debate are the National Rifle Association (NRA)
and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV). Both groups have opposing
viewpoints, and at the same time have played crucial roles in rallying the public opinion.
The National Rifle Association is a pro second amendment group. It believes every law
abiding American has the right to defend himself/herself with a firearm. Further
supporting this point in areas where citizens are allowed to defend themselves with
concealed firearms, crime has been deterred (NRA Digital Network). The NRA is also
one of the most influential advocates in the gun control debate. However, the CSGV has
spoken out against gun ownership, because they view firearms as a danger to society
(Coalition to Stop Gun Violence). As a non-profit organization the NRA does not have a
political agenda, its members want to see the preservation of the second amendment and
the rights it guarantees the people of the United States. The issue is not the weapons; it is
the individuals and societys lack for other in the society.
The Unknown Fate The United States
The United States was created as constitutional republic; the constitution includes
the bill of rights. The very reason the bill of rights was established because it created a
framework for the individuals natural rights. From these rights the second amendment to
the constitution is critical. The second amendment allows American citizens to protect
themselves against the tyranny of government, and their lives against criminal acts.
Those opposed to second amendment rights, create a false argument, stating firearms
create an inordinate danger to the country. For example automobile related deaths are

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significantly higher than gun related deaths, but there is no call to restrict automobile
ownership in the same way gun control advocates want to restrict firearm ownership.
The founding fathers understood how American citizens have a natural right to defend
themselves. In the United States one of the second most dangerous weapons is the
vehicle, which reportedly accounts for numerous deaths around the country as a result of
drunk driving. Should the automobile taken, away because it is destroying society even
though more people died at the hands of drunk drivers. (Swann) Historical rights are
fundamental and they must be honored.

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Dec. 2014.

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