Gun Control Essay

W.Williams

Gun Control

Over the past few years, the heinous acts of gun violence, has created a heated debate over gun control. Gun violence is the number one killer in America. Everyday people die in inner cities through out the country by gun violence. But what has driven people to the brink of disgust has been the high-profile gun violence and massacres that has targeted innocent children and adults. You would think, sending your children to school would be the safest place for your child to be, but lately that has been proved wrong. Incidents at the Columbine High School, Sandy Hook Elementary School, and Virginia Tech have people questioning our gun laws. Many American citizens are scared and tired of innocent people being killed by high powered guns. Politicians, the National Rifle Association and gun owners can’t agree on a solution to stop gun violence.

With President Obama leading the way, the Democratic Party is pushing for safer guns laws. According to the article, Congressional Democrats unveiled legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines like those used in the school massacre at Newtown, Conn., even as they acknowledged an uphill battle getting the measures through a divided Congress (Werner, Erica; Pickler, Nedra). Law enforcement leaders are pushing Obama to strengthen gun purchase background checks and mental health systems. As in the past, Democrats will have a hard time pushing tougher laws because of strong gun lobby and their allies in Congress. Politicians are afraid to push harsh laws because they fear losing re-election. President Obama acknowledged that enough wasn’t being done as he addressed the people of Newtown. According to the article, he said to the people of Newtown, “We’re not doing enough, “adding, “surely we can do better than this…if there’s even one step we can take to save another [life]…then surely we have an obligation to try.”

The National Rifle Association has a heavy influence on gun control laws. Many of the politicians are members themselves and possess guns of their own. This creates a problem and conflict when agreeing with laws being passed. The NRA doesn’t believe that assault weapons should be banned. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, said the country must focus on boosting security at schools, enforcing existing gun laws and taking more steps to deny guns to people with mental illnesses. "Law-abiding gun owners will not accept blame for the acts of violent or deranged criminals (MacBradaigh).

After the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School, supporters and non supporters of the assault rifle ban has taken their voice to the streets. People have picketed Wal-Mart to stop selling assault rifles amongst other places. Non supporters of the ban

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