Kathleen
Abouzeide
Mike Tully
William
Meza-Vasquez
Brandon Wood
Gun Rights
Americans are taught from a very
early age what their rights as American citizens are. The public, or most
specifically conservatives argue against gun control policies simply because
these policies slightly modify this amendment. Secondly, we have the idea that
one must protect one's family and property. Some rather be safe than sorry.
Another self interest are gun enthusiasts, people that collect weapons and feel
as if they shouldn't be restricted to what kind of weapons they are capable of
acquiring.
Sadly we have gone through many gun related tragedies recently (i.e.
Sandy Hook massacre, Aurora Theater massacre) and these events have led to the
uprising of a series of gun control policies and massive popular acclaimed
protests. Citizens are becoming more aware of the present issue due to social
media. Should this second amendment really be a right for any born American? Or
should it be a privilege to those who are capable of handling harmful arms.
Our group feels that there should not be a complete restriction on
guns. Rather there should be a process
in which one must take in order to own a gun to set up limits on who can own a
gun and what type of gun they can own.
The process should include how to use a gun, teach the dangers on guns,
and a background check on the individual who is acquiring the gun. This will set a restriction and lower the
number of gun holders. Persons caught
violating this should have to pay a fine and or lose their permits. This process will not fully restrict access
to guns but will allow for requirements to be met in order to obtain one,
making sure that the guns are in safe hands and not just with anybody.
The individual interests of gun
ownership may be one or more of many things. A person who wants or owns a
firearm may want it as a collector's item, or maybe they want it for sport, or
hunting. Perhaps they live in a dangerous area or work a dangerous job and need
it in order to ensure their own safety. Or rather, maybe they want one just for
the closure of knowing they have a means of personal protection. And, less
commonly talked about, another big reason for private gun ownership is the
prevention and/or defense against tyranny.
One reason we believe that people
should be able to own guns is because people feel safe with owning a gun so
they can use it in self defense. Take
for example if someone’s house was broken into and there was a person robbing
it. If the homeowner had access to a gun
it could be used in self-defense in a situations like this. It wouldn’t necessarily have to be fired it
could be used as an intimidation tool to rid their home of the intruder.
It would also be unsafe to take away
guns from owners. Many guns that are owned are not registered, they are owned
illegally. Guns can be taken away, but
will still be out there. This will leave
non-gun owners as easy prey to be attacked.
We also believe that people should have
to take a class on gun ownership in order to own a gun. Education on guns would lead to less violence
and less accidents. Also if people knew
how dangerous guns can be it would make them think about how to be more safe
with their gun.
For some people guns are used for
recreation in hunting and shooting. In
some areas hunting is a major part of their culture. To take guns away would be taking away from
their way of life.
Great post. Your last statement said that "In some areas hunting is a major part of their culture. To take guns away would be taking away from their way of life." I would disagree with this and say that unless people who kill animals are going to eat them there is no reason why they should hunt them. Hunting for recreation and hunting for food are different things.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your arguments here our group felt similarly. With thought that there should be more restrictions as well to only allow safe educated people the right to own a gun. I also agree with Jeff on your last statement many people view hunting as purely recreation rather than the sole purpose in which it was designed to do which is to provide food.
ReplyDeleteGood points. Only thing I can say is maybe you could have included your view on magazine restrictions and why. Also, your example of home intrusion made me think of a story I heard on the news where a boy thought someone was breaking into his house so he went and grabbed his dad's gun and ended up accidentally shooting his brother. That kind of made me think that on top of gun education for gun holders maybe there should be a requirement for gun holders to have a secured gun safe.
ReplyDeleteYou mention that many people have guns but are not registered. Good point because it is almost easier to buy a gun off the "black market" or from a friend than to go to the store. Maybe you could elaborate on how education will cause less accidents. Your arguments are strong and valid. Good blog post.
ReplyDeleteThere were many strong points made for the possession of guns by the public. Your argument about accidents was very thorough. However when you stated that people would feel safer if they were allowed to carry guns, you did not address those who feel their safety is in jeopardy if the public is allowed guns.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your position, educating those who would purchase guns is very important. almost half of the deaths related to guns are accidental. Hopefully we'll never have to be in a situation where a gun might control the outcome of a dangerous situation in which we or are loved ones are involved in, but it does occur and when it does you should be better safe then sorry. With some of the regulations you suggest it can be hard to determine who and who not should be able to own a gun. The mentally ill of course, but what about those who suffer from depression or anxiety? it can be a slippery slope, especially if put in the hands of the government.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post and it's very similar to the opinion that both my group and I had. We should have more restrictions when it comes to obtaining a gun. I also like that you had stated that you feel as if those who have guns should be educated on what it really is. All around good blog.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your post, it is important to be aware of who are the guns being sold to. Nowadays you can buy guns a pawn shops, this is problematic especially when we don't know what kind of mental state the person is. Just like in our blog you put that there should be a background check and it shouldn't be that easy to obtain a license, they should go through a test. good blog.
ReplyDelete