Persuasive Essay: Gun Control Contradicts the Second Amendment

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Gun control has been a hot topic for very long time. People on the anti-

gun control side believe that gun ownership is a Constitutional right backed by

the Second Amendment. The anti-gun believe that you should be able to posses

and own any firearm. They also believe that gun laws only restrict the law

abiding citizens. Pro-gun control believe that guns are the backbone to our

crime problem. They also believe that gun laws help keep guns of the street and

deter crime.

The Second Amendment reads," 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" (Caplan p32). "Underlying this amendment are two goals

of an individual and collective defense from violence and aggression, which have

been recognized by Congress" ( Caplan P.32). The second amendment should help

secure right of the people to have a gun in their home. " The government should

not be permitted to declare who would or would not be able to bear arms on the

basis of vague religious tests or any other nebulous standard or artifice" (

Caplan p.39).

The first infringement on the Second Amendment came on November 30, 1993

when President Clinton signed Brady Bill I. The law required that there be a

five day waiting period on all hand gun purchases. The Brady Bill also banned

semi-automatic rifles and other military type weapons. ( Moore 1994 p.434) The

five day waiting period is suppose to stop felons from buying guns. But,

Waiting periods do not stop felons from getting guns. Since 1968 it has been

illegal for a felon to possess any firearm. ( Moore 1994 p 440) Most of the

criminals do not get their guns from stores, most get them by theft or on the

black market. " While legitimate users of firearms encounter intense regulation,

surutiny, and bureaucratic control, illicit markets easily adapt to whatever

difficulties a free society throws in their way" (Polsby p.1). A study by

Professor James D. Wright and Peter H. Rossi, showed that, fifty percent of

criminals expected to get a gun illeagily the same day they get out of prison.

(Blackman A ug 1985)

Brady Bill talks about recording and keeping track of guns for safety

reasons. When people talk about the militia many people believe that the

National Guard is our guarantee for a free state.(Caplan p. 50) People need to

realize that the President is Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard, and may

federalize it any time" ( Caplan p.

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