Monday, December 17, 2012
Some Unlikely Democrats Join in Push for New Gun Laws
The tragedy that took place in Newtown, CT has certainly unleashed much debate over gun laws that for a while were not considered a main priority. Even Democrats such as Mr. Manchin, a Senator of West Virginia as well as an avid hunter, asserted that efforts to resolve the issue of gun violence must go beyond mere dialogue. Action must be taken. On one side of the debate are those who cite the Second Amendment and support the right to bear arms. They argue that any restrictions on gun use will not stop a madman from wreaking havoc as he or she pleases. On the other side of the dispute are those who favor bans or restrictions to gun use. Their argument is that no hunter actually needs as many as 30 rounds in a clip, and regulation of ammunition would make minimal difference to hunters. Any step to change legislation would be a very demanding and difficult task, and many are calling on Obama to take executive action. Further updates on this heated issue will surely emerge in the following weeks and months.
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Go ahead, ban assault rifles and large ammunition clips. The reality is that it won't make a difference. The kind of person that would do such a thing is not one that will be deterred by the legality of the use of firearms that could still be procured, in the same way (though much less seriously) that people who are determined can still obtain illicit drugs despite law enforcement.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grace that if assault rifles are banned, those who want assault rifles will find a way to get them. A criminal of this caliber is not going to follow many of the laws in the first place and this is just another one that one would break.
DeleteAlthough gun control laws will not solve everything, they are a step in the right direction. We need to do whatever we can as a nation to keep people safe. Plus, there is no need for people to be carrying around high-powered rifles. The Constitution was written at a time when weapons were much less powerful, and we need to reevaluate gun control today.
ReplyDeleteIf we limit gun control, we will stop some tragedy form happening, but we can't stop them all. I think we can definitely limit the amount of shooting that occur and if we make it harder for people who have the urge to kill obtain guns and ammunition than maybe we can catch them sooner or eliminate the ability to get their hands on guns and ammunition.
ReplyDeleteCreating bans on assault rifles and limiting ammunition will not stop perpetrators.People will find a way around the laws and regulations.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Katie. Adding gun law restrictions only restricts those who follow the laws (the trustworthy), not the criminals we are trying to protect ourselves from.
DeleteAs I have mentioned before, laws restricting types of guns will do nothing. Well they will, but in the WRONG direction. Law abiding citizens will be left gun less, but criminals will do whatever it takes to get their hands on a gun. For example, when handguns were banned in Chicago, the murder rates/violence rates increased by a LOT.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newsmax.com/JohnLott/Lott-guns-Chicago-crime/2010/05/06/id/358060
I know it's not a reliable source, but it does in fact have statistics in regards to Chicago's handgun ban.
If you want to make the argument that we don't need guns that fire so many rounds, take a look at you every day car. I drive a truck, and it's capable of driving over 110 MPH. Not that I do drive at that speed... Anyway, who needs a car that goes that fast? Car crashes have killed people too...
It certainly will be interesting to see what gun control action is taken in the near future due to the shooting in Newtown, CT. I do agree with Grace in that restrictions would not stop the type of person to perform such an abominable action, yet restrictions would most likely make it more difficult to follow through with such an act as the shooting. Although this is not good enough, it certainly would be a small step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteWhile stricter gun control can't hurt, I wish Congress would focus just as many resources on mental health research and awareness. If people are healthier mentally, we can trust them to abide by these gun laws.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Liz. Mental health is a major concern and with better mental health we can have trust in our people to abide by the gun laws that are already in place.
ReplyDelete