Gun Control Is It Constitutional Essay

Gun Control: Is It Constitutional Essay, Research Paper

The Second Amendment to the Constitution 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,” and the definition of gun control is; government regulation of possession and use of firearms by private citizens. At first sight this seems like a contradiction in terms, but before any opinions are formed, let’s look at both sides of the issue.

This amendment has been around since 1791, and there has been gun control almost as long as it’s been around. In the old west, guns were outlawed in many towns, to prevent any gunplay from breaking out. The “gun culture,” modern gun enthusiasts, is made up of convenience store workers, executives, sportsmen club members, and leaders of important conservation organizations in the country. This “gun culture” is what makes up the NRA. The National Rifle Association, which started out in 1871 to promote shooting proficiency and gun safety transformed in the 1960’s and 1970’s into an advocate of the Second Amendment and an opponent of those who propose the prohibition of guns which followed political assassinations and high rates of gun violence. The NRA which now has more than 2.8 million members is arguably the most formidable single-issue lobbying organization in the history of American Democracy. Even Presidents Reagan and Bush are members, and Nixon, Eisenhower, and Kennedy were members.

Handgun Control Inc., one of the largest proponents of gun control, has a membership of one million. It was founded in the 1970’s by Pete Shields after his son was killed by a man with a handgun. Presently in charge of the organization Is Sarah Brady, wife of James Brady, who was permanently disabled in the attempted assassination of President Reagan. The members of Handgun Control Inc. Wish to restrict or even ban the ownership of handguns. They believe that if handgun control laws were stricter and enforced more, the crime rates involving handguns would fall. However the question on many other peoples’ minds is what if these criminals keep obtaining handguns through illegal means such as the black market. These laws would not apply in such a case, which happens to be how many criminals get their handguns, considering according to existing laws, they probably can’t legally buy them anyway.

There are about 70 million handguns in the United States, and 99 percent of handgun owners are honest citizens. Why do these people feel the need to own a handgun.

One main reason is heritage. For as long as this country has been around, there have been gun owners, to defend themselves from Indians and bandits, to hunt for food, and also to defend themselves from a tyrannical government.

Until the end of the 1800’s, most police forces in eastern and Midwestern urban areas didn’t even carry guns. Americans distrusted a standing armed police force and a professional army.

In 1911, the Sullivan Law-the most significant gun control legislation of the next half century-was passed in New York State. The most important legislation regulating firearms passed to date was the Gun Control Act of 1968 which outlawed the importation of military surplus weapons and small short-barreled foreign handguns, referred to as “Saturday Night Specials.” It also prohibited interstate retailing of guns.

New York City’s major newspapers condemned taking a stand against gun control, and made it look like one was advocating crime, barbarism, and ethnic violence. Through these efforts, the Sullivan Law passed the state Legislature with little opposition. The law was pivotal for the gun control debate’s future for many reasons:

For the first time a state made a serious commitment to regulate

handguns.

A permit was required to purchase, own, or carry a handgun.

Handgun control was linked to crime control.

Organizations

In October 1992, a crowd of 150 neo-Nazis and “Christian” patriots gathered in Estes Park, Colorado, a resort town about two hours from Denver near the Rocky Mountain National Park. They assembled here to voice their opinions on gun control and the militia movement. This little meeting was organized by Pete Peters, member of Identity, a religious group which believes that Northern Europeans are descendants of the Hebrews; that our government is in the hands of the satanic Jews; and that black people were created before Adam and are less than human. These “religious” people are stockpiling weapons, food, and other supplies in preparation for Armageddon, a race war in the United States.

Many other groups were represented at this meeting, such as the Aryan Nations, CAUSE (Canada, Australia, United States, South Africa, and Europe, wherever the kindred people are found), Gun Owners of America, and many state militias. These groups joined together for many purposes, the main one being, to talk about their right to “keep and bear arms.” Larry Pratt, Executive director of the GOA, criticized the NRA for only fighting for recreational gun use such as hunting, and not for militias and other organizations also. The new board of directors, however may change that. They are taking a more agressive approach. This 76 member board includes Robert K. Brown, publisher of Soldier of Fortune; former Arizona state sena