Gun Control: Divisive Issue in US, Analysis of Article - Essay Sample

Introduction

Gun control is one of the most divisive issues, socially and politically, in the United States. Despite the rise in incidences of shootings across the country, some quarters are still opposed to the enactment of stricter controls. Differences among politicians on the issue have also made it difficult to enact laws that could conclusively address the issue. This paper seeks to analyze an article on the issue. In this article, the writer highlights the various facets of the issue. He bases his argument on the Newtown massacre that shocked the nation in December of 2012 (Ehrenfreund, 2013). Following this incident, various strategies, including a proposed bill on background checks, were developed. In the article, the writer seems to be asking, will the bill address the gun issues in the country? In his conclusion, the writer holds that the bill could go a long way in addressing the issue.

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To give the topic the needed weight, the writer invokes the words of various national leaders, such as President Obama. Obama’s appeal to the nation and legislators was that the Newtown massacre should not be forgotten, and the promises made to the community should be followed through (Ehrenfreund, 2013). The writer then points out the opposition that the bill was facing, even in its infancy, from both the Republicans and Democrats, mostly for political reasons. However, the writer exudes confidence that the Democrats would garner enough votes to support the bill. He writes, “And despite potential GOP opposition, Reid and Senate Democrats may still yet be able to muster enough votes to override a threatened filibuster” (Ehrenfreund, 2013). Despite, yet, and still are the indicator words in this argument. While discussing the bill in greater detail, the writer likens the proposed controls to car ownership. Under the existing laws, the government can easily identify who owns a specific car, as well as issues of transfers. Were such laws to be introduced in gun controls, the writer argues that ‘even slightly stricter rules on gun purchases could protect many innocent people from harm” (Ehrenfreund, 2013). Even is the indicator word in this conclusion. Expansion of background checks would also help ensure that guns do not fall into the wrong hands. The idea of random sting operations is also presented as a potent way of enhancing gun security.

As seen in the analysis above, the writer holds that the proposed bill could have helped address the issue of gun security in the country. The bill could have given the government more control over the possession and use of guns. Background checks would also have helped prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands.

References

Ehrenfreund, M. (2013, March 28). Debate over gun control returns to fore. Retrieved from The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/debate-over-gun-control-returns-to-fore/2013/03/28/3df64024-97dc-11e2-b68f-dc5c4b47e519_story.html