http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/09/nyregion/cuomo-to-propose-more-expansive-ban-on-assault-weapons.html?hp&_r=0
This article discusses Governor Andrew Cuomo's push to enact stronger gun laws in New York. Cuomo's plan does not only alter the current assault weapons ban but it rewrites it and also pushes for a more thorough search for mental illness through the background checks, lower capacity magazines and periodic recertification of gun permits. If enacted, Cuomo's plan will not only ban assault weapons but it will also make it nearly impossible for gun manufactereurs to find loopholes and be able to rebuild their assault weapons to fit the rules addressed in the ban. Cuomo's biggest obstacle is the Republican Senate. He has recently fought for the right to gay-marriage and does not feel as if it will be beneficial to plead with the Republican Senate for stronger gun laws.
I completely agree with Governor Cuomo's plan to act stronger gun laws. I believe that our country as a whole should follow the idea of Governor Cuomo. He did not come up with this plan to take away our freedoms but instead to protect the American people as a whole. I do not feel as if this complete ban on assault weapons is over dramatic. It seems clear to me that the best way to protect the American people is to ban the thing that is taking so many lives every year. After the shooting in Newtown, we can realize that those young lives were taken by a weapon that should not have been allowed in the hands of the public. Those young lives were lost because we allow anyone to own a gun and with that, we are not protecting our youth or any other citizen of the United States.
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I absolutely support the push for stricter gun laws. We should be doing whatever we can to better protect people. It is a shame that, especially after previous incidents, the issue wasn't dealt with before the tragedy in Newton. I am not saying gun laws would have prevented this awful event, but the situation would have been different. Regardless, we must finally learn from repeated tragedies in our nation's history and move forward with the safety of the American people in mind.
ReplyDeleteI highly question the effectiveness of such regulations. They certainly would not have stopped Lanza; he had 5 different weapons, none of which he had purchased. Every single person killed had multiple bullet wounds because yes, Lanza did use an automatic rifle. But if he would have used a non-automatic rifle, they'd all have one or two instead of multiple, and that really doesn't put us off in any better of a position. Mental healthcare reform like reopening places like asylums that are extremely restrictive are how you prevent crimes like this. Neither path is a good option, but obviously events like this warrant some action.
ReplyDeleteAs Grace has stated Lanza would not have followed the law and neither would many other criminals. If assault weapons were not manufactured and loopholes cannot be found, then I believe it will get harder to obtain these but definitely not impossible.
DeleteThere is much debate over whether the focus should be on gun control or better care for people suffering from mental illness. The debate is portrayed as having one correct focus, but why not make reforms for both issues? Also, it is true that the vast majority of gun owners are responsible, but what about the remainder of them? If even one life can be saved from any kind of gun reform that can be agreed upon and pass in Congress, then it is a reform worth fighting for. At the same time, improvement of the quality of mental illness facilities and their subsequent effectiveness would decrease the likelihood of the acts of violence of mentally disturbed people, such as the catastrophe in Newtown.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what he's trying to do with enforcing gun laws and regulations, but I don't think it'll really do much. I agree with what Grace said about Lanza because he didn't purchase any of the weapons he used and there are loop holes and ways around everything.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of gun control, who is really being controlled? It's for sure NOT the criminals. They don't give a **** about already existing laws. In terms of Lanza, yes those guns were legally purchased- but by his MOTHER. Lanza STOLE those guns from his mother. He was 20, and the law for owning/purchasing a gun in CT is 21 years of age. If you think that a ban on guns is going to take them 100% away... lol we should make drugs illegal! Oh wait.
ReplyDeleteI think it is good that such a horrible event is producing preventative action, however I do not think that Governor Cuomo's attempt to enact stricter gun laws solves the problem at hand. We need to improve upon the institutions for the mentally ill.
ReplyDeleteI think Governor Cuomo reached a happy medium by not taking the right to bear arms away, but at the same time banning some assault weapons. I think the whole country needs to pass a plan like Cuomo in order for it to be effective. A law will not end all crimes involving guns, but i do think it will limit them.
ReplyDeleteNobody is claiming that more strict regulation or even better mental health awareness and care will prevent all gun violence. As unfortunate as it is, there is no way to completely control it. However, it couldn't hurt to lay down better laws and minimize the damage even a little bit. I really do hope that there is more of an effort to study mental health issues and find ways of helping the people behind the guns.
ReplyDeleteNobody is claiming that more strict regulation or even better mental health awareness and care will prevent all gun violence. As unfortunate as it is, there is no way to completely control it. However, it couldn't hurt to lay down better laws and minimize the damage even a little bit. I really do hope that there is more of an effort to study mental health issues and find ways of helping the people behind the guns.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Thomas King's (president of NY State Rifle and Pistol Association)statement, “This issue is not about guns, and the reason they are pushing the gun issue is because it’s much easier for them to say, ‘Look what we did; we’re going to make people safer in New York. We passed more gun laws,’ ”. i highly doubt this new gun regulation will prove effective. First, this regulation is only punishing civilians who follow the law. For we best believe that if someone truly wants to commit a crime/ do damage, he/she will find a way to get his/her hands on a gun, regardless of the law. We are dancing around the issue trying to rush in with solutions; the real solution a see is implementing higher security protocols in schools and allowing for the staff/school to possess guns to protect itself and its students.
ReplyDeleteEnforcing the laws is more of the problem then making stricter laws. Why even have a 2nd amendment if our right is so minute that it is almost nonexistent? People aren't safe because maniacs and sick people gain access to assault rifles. Incidents such as the Sandy Hook shooting are going to happen but we should never allow it to become the norm.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if Cuomo is at all successful with his attempt to enforce stricter gun laws. If he is successful, it could have a domino effect in the nation, which would help create stricter laws throughout America. Although it is very unlikely that this would occur throughout the entire nation, it seems logical that some people could look at the example set in New York and want to attempt the exact same thing. Leaders are very important for change to occur.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this proposed legislation but I worry that, like in the past, special interests, such as the NRA, will convince Congressman to slide language into a popular bill that will take all the teeth off of a gun restricting bill.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this proposed legislation but I worry that, like in the past, special interests, such as the NRA, will convince Congressman to slide language into a popular bill that will take all the teeth off of a gun restricting bill.
ReplyDelete