The Pros and Cons of Gun Control

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“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” (Bill of Rights). This is the 2nd Amendment of the United States Constitution. This is a document that grants all Americans certain inalienable rights. All citizens no matter their age or standing in society have some understanding of the Bill of Rights and the freedoms that it allows. One freedom that is granted to us, the right to bear arms, has become the center of a heated issue in today’s society and many years before. The majority of citizens have felt the impacts of guns, either positive or negative, during some point of their life. It is because of the fact that guns are a part of numerous American’s lives that we must ask: is gun control needed for the protection of Americans or for the empowerment of the government through the removal of Americans rights.

The issue of gun control is not a new topic, their have been numerous other nations who have had this question before them. In 1995, Canada established a new set of gun control laws banning the ownership of assault rifles and handguns. In 1996, Australia passed a law removing all firearms from the country, making it illegal to own guns unless you where issued a special permit by the government. These are just a few examples of what other countries have done to regulate guns. So the United States is by no means the first country to have this question in front of them. This issue can not, and must not have a universal answer. As you can see from Canada and Australia’s approach each dealt with the same issue in completely different ways, ways that accomplished their specific needs. So before this question can be...

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...he buying and ownership of firearms. This could mean outlawing the ownership of firearms which would be a violation of our rights.

The rights of Americans are a privilege, and are in place for a reason. There must be a just explanation for the removal of ones rights. You must ask yourself then is the removal of firearms for the protection of others a just enough reason to violate our rights or does the possibility of the government gaining complete control over its citizens present more of a danger.

Works Cited

- "Bill of Rights," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2004

http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

- “House set to OK Souder's gun bill.” Groppe, Maureen. Indystar. NRA.com.

September 28, 2004. September 30, 2004. http://www.indystar.com/articles/8/182159-

2148-010.html

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