3-20-13
Dr. Mcglynn
American Government
Research Paper: Gun Control
Stricter Gun Control policies have been an ongoing issue in America for the past couple of months. In 2010, gun related offenses caused thirty-one thousand and seventy-six deaths in America through homicides, suicides, and unintentional shootings. This is the equivalent of more than eighty-five deaths each day and more than three deaths each hour. Lawmakers have debated over whether stricter gun laws can fully deter or reduce crime and whether fewer bullets in magazines should be legalized in fully automatic weapons. Over the past few decades, many national tragedies have led to the possibility of stricter gun laws. The Columbine shootings in 1999, Virginia Tech tragedy in 2007, to the D.C. sniper shootings in 2002 and finally the most recent Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 are examples of just a few. Haigh (2013) noted with an announcement of sweeping proposals to curb gun violence, Connecticut lawmakers said they are hoping to send a message to Congress and other state legislators across the country that a bipartisan agreement on gun control is possible. The NRA is the leading pro-gun group supporting our Second Amendment which is the right to bear arms. The reason why our founding fathers have made this American right so unclear is to allow individual states the ability to commission regulations to prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms at any time. I think that there is a need for stricter gun policies, and that there should be certain qualifications for persons wanting to purchase a firearm. Firstly, there should definitely be a thorough background check for any prior criminal offenses. Secondly, once a permit to carry a