Topic > The Gun Control Debate in America

The debate between pro and con gun control is becoming increasingly important in the United States. Several gun control activists have issues with gun ownership. The solution is simple. The United States should continue to support the Second Amendment and allow Americans to protect themselves by using firearms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Currently the President of the United States, Barack Obama, is creating a plan to increase restrictions on gun ownership. The current draft calls for background checks on every single purchase and a limitation of ammunition magazines to a maximum of ten rounds (Gettings, McNiff). He also plans to reinstate the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, more commonly known as the assault weapons ban. This bill prohibited “the manufacture, possession, and importation of semi-automatic assault weapons” (Getting, McNiff). The problem is that they haven't been proven to prevent anything. Five years after the assault weapons ban, the infamous Columbine incident occurred. While three or four regulations have helped rid the United States of gun violence, broad and vague laws have no effect. In 1871 Ambrose Burnside, a former governor of Rhode Island, founded the National Rifle Association. Their purpose remains to “promote and encourage science-based rifle shooting” (Getting, McNiff). The NRA has remained widely active in politics, donating up to $13,000 to each senator who supports gun owners' rights. Without this funding, many senators would have remained in their positions as mayors or governors without a say. Many supporters of strict gun control laws believe that guns are always dangerous and that they kill innocent animals and humans. This statement does not need to be argued over and over again. Many bills have been proposed that would take away Americans' right to own their own guns. Gun control activists want the government to ask everyone to surrender their guns. It is commonly overlooked that citizens who surrender their weapons are law-abiding citizens who do not normally engage in violence. The gun owners who will have a hard time surrendering are the same criminals who don't have the mental capacity to walk into an elementary school and harm innocent children. This is not just an idea that has been circulating, but an idea that the leaders of our nations have had. A quote from former President Ronald Reagan includes: "It's an ugly truth, but those who seek to inflict harm are not frightened by gun control laws... Guns do not create criminals... We will never disarm any American who seeks to do so." protect his family from fear and harm” (Gottfried). A president other than Reagan held the same views. Thomas Jefferson wrote “laws prohibiting the carrying of arms… Disarm only those who do not wish to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the attacked and better for the aggressors” (Lee). There is absolutely no room for controversy when it comes to protecting others. It is morally and ethically wrong not to want to help others when possible. It has become common to see school shootings in the news or hear about how someone shot a family member or friend. However, statistics suggest that approximately 1,501 victims die from accidental shootings each year. This seems like an extremely high number, but when compared to other causes.