The Second Amendment

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“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” This quote from Benjamin Franklin illustrates how an emphasis on safety can drastically reduce the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States, especially the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which states that “...the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” However, with active shooter situations such as Columbine; the Tucson, Arizona shootings, which nearly killed former Representative Gabrielle Giffords; and recent situations at Newtown, Connecticut; Los Angeles International Airport; and Westfield Garden State Plaza mall in New Jersey, the federal government has questioned this right guaranteed to us as U.S. Citizens. In Congress, it is a back-and-forth battle between the Republicans, who favor less gun control legislation and a literal translation of the Second Amendment, and the Democrats who would like to see more gun control legislation to protect the safety of citizens. However, more gun control legislation would punish law-abiding citizens, be a direct violation of the Second Amendment, and expand the power of the federal government into areas where the Founding Fathers never wanted it. It has been said by the former Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, that “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” The United States was founded on the principle of limited government and the most freedom possible for citizens. This included the right to bear arms guaranteed in the Second Amendment. James Madison, one of the framers of the Constitution, wanted the Second Amendment to guarantee citizens the right t... ... middle of paper ... ...d for Civic Memorial High School. Rep. no. 41-057-0080-26-0001. Illinois State Board of Education, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. "Lend-Lease Act." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. Lott, John. "Are You a Racist If You Own a Gun?" Fox News. FOX News Network, 1 Nov. 2013. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. Lott, Maxim. "Government Awards More Contracts to Company That Created Glitchy ObamaCare Website." Fox News. FOX News Network, 5 Nov. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. Madison County Illinois State's Attorney's Office. State's Attorney Gibbons Releases Opinion on Concealed Carry of Firearms. Madison County Illinois State's Attorney's Office. Madison County Illinois State's Attorney's Office, 6 June 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. Morales, Victor. "Scholars Debate Second Amendment to US Constitution." Voice of America. Voice of America, 23 July 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2013.

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