Paper Example on Gun Laws

Introduction

Following the recent mass shooting of an ex-student that led to the killing of 17 students, it is with no doubt that the United States has a problem with the possession firearms (Emert). The rules and laws that govern the possession of firearms should be revisited to ensure that not all citizens can be able to access and possess guns. Guns ownership should be carefully considered before being purchased. Not everyone should be allowed to buy and own firearms because if they land in the unintended persons could lead to disastrous events (Emert).

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The Legal Issue

According to the Gun Control Act of 1968, the US federal law is responsible for the control and regulation of the firearm industry and those who possess them (Scarinci). The bill primarily focuses on the management and the prohibiting f the interstate transfer of firearms in exception of licensed importers dealers and manufactures. This was as a result of the assassination of President John Kennedy. This act also ensured that the sale of firearms to a specific group of people like the minors, drug dealers and the mentally challenged was prohibited (Scarinci). Also, The Second Amendment of the US constitution which states that "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed (Scarinci)." It was designed to protect the ownership of firearms by individual US citizens and by the state-run militia which was often called upon by the United States. To address the growing violence that was resulting due to the possession of firearms the national firearms act was induced. This imposed a $200 tax on certain arms (Scarinci).

Implication on the Constitution

The constitution helps govern the country by imposing a set of laws. The Gun Control Act, the National Firearms Act, and the second amendment are as a result of the constitution to tackle the problem of firearms in the country. Constitutional Acts encourage the possession of guns. The Bill of Rights thus entices people to buy guns for their protection which results in more harm than good yet the government can protect its people (Boylan 17). Constitutional amendments should be revisited on the possession of firearms because not everyone should be allowed to own a gun.

Ethical Issue

One of the most debatable issue as per now is if people should be allowed to own guns. Some will say that it is the right thing to do since one can take care of themselves in the event of extreme danger while others will suggest that people should not be allowed to acquire firearms because some tend to use them for evil reasons other than for the intended purpose (Boylan 17). It is estimated that more of the gun owners are like to get shot than the non-gun owners. Also, a lot of homicides and suicide in homes is as a result of guns in that particular home. It is with no doubt that "Guns don't kill people, people kill people (Boylan 23). Most people who possess these firearms have no primary reason to do so. Some buy guns because they have the freedom to do so while others just for fun because they want to. The problem lies between the gun owners and the gun control advocates. Gun owners possess guns for recreational purposes. Gun control advocate uniquely disagree with this logic and say that the possession of firearms should be regulated and prohibited.

Political Issues

The politics of gun control is based on the gun control and the gun rights. Partisan Democrats insist that gun control should be put into careful consideration. It has become a hot button on the gun control issue. A large percentage of Americans (84%) support the idea that an in-depth background check should be carried out on whoever wants to buy a firearm (Boylan 27). Some Democrats thought their support for the assault weapons ban cost them control of Congress. Whether or not that's true, there's little question that the politics of gun ownership have swung to the right. Republicans mostly don't agree with gun control, which does not make the Democrats happy Democrats are split, with some lawmakers cautious about going against the views of more conservative constituencies, especially in rural districts (Boylan 27).

Conclusion

It is with no doubt that the gun ownership and gun control is a big problem that needs to address immediately. Every now and the citizens are being shot because someone who is unworthy to have a firearm possessed one, and this resulted in the mass shooting like the one witnessed recently. The gun control should be pressed forward to ensure that such thing does not happen again in the future. Despite the efforts to control the guns more and more people going to break the law. This result in a lot more harm than good and this keeps on increasing the political and ethical issues surrounding the possession of guns.

Works Cited

Boylan, Michael. "Gun Control in the United States: Ethical Perspectives for the Twenty-first century." Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research 408 (2003): 17-27.

Emert, J. There have been 18 school shootings in the US in 2018. (2018). from http://wlos.com/news/local/there-have-been-18-school-shootings-in-the-us-in-2018 (Retrieved May 2, 2018).

Scarinci, D. History of U.S. Gun Laws. (2016, June 27). From http://observer.com/2016/06/history-of-u-s-gun-laws/ (Retrieved May 2, 2018)