Louisiana Needs Gun Control Laws!

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In Louisiana, gun ownership is one of the most valued rights because many see it as the only means for self-defense. Though it is a right, if crime rate increases due to gun violence, should self-defense hamper with the enforcement of gun-control laws? Currently, gun related crime is at “18.9 [...] deaths for every 100,000 people [...]” (“States With The Most Gun Violence: 24/7 Wall St.”). This statistic places Louisiana in one of the top spots for gun related crime, thus reminding us that gun-control is necessary. Gun-control measures can include restricting weapons such as the AK-47; a gun designed for battle-like encounters. Why would ordinary citizens need AK-47's anyway?
Of the few restrictions that exist, laws such as “RS 14:95” defines the kind of weapons illegal to carry in the general public. Weapons such as the “switchblade knife and spring knife” are among the few considered illegal (“RS 14:95”). Not only is it confusing, but also disturbing because the law seemingly holds no restriction on lethal weapons.
The confusion continues with laws such as “RS 14:95.2,” which states where citizens can carry weapons. A portion of the law states that “[a]ny student carrying a firearm to or from a class […] requir[ing] the use of the firearm [...]” is legal. It is confusing because I know of not any class requiring the portability of guns. ROTC could be the exception, but guns are only required in activities such as field training, not the class itself. Consequently, current restrictions have not reduced gun-related crime in Louisiana; thus, reminding us that current gun laws are confusing and do not pertain to gun-control, which is a necessary element of all gun laws because it would help reduce crime rate.
“RS 1...

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...nal Amendment Leaves Gun Laws in Disarray.” Theadvocate.com. Capital City Press, 3 Nov. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.
“Open Carry FAQ.” Laopencarry.org. Louisiana Open Carry Awareness League, 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
“RS 14:95.” Legis.la.gov. Louisiana State Legislature, 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
“RS 14:95.2.” Legis.la.gov. Louisiana State Legislature, 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.
Skorton, David, and Glenn Altschuler. “Do We Really Need More Guns On Campus?” Forbes.com. Forbes, 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2013.
“States With The Most Gun Violence: 24/7 Wall St.” Huffingtonpost.com. HuffPost Business, 16 April 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
Stewart, Robert. “Study: Louisiana Has Highest Rate of Gun Violence in U.S.” Theadvocate.com. Capital City Press, 4 April 2013. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.
Woodward, Alex. “Louisiana New Gun Laws.” Bestofneworleans.com. Gambit, 2 July 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013.

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