Viewpoint~ Gun Ownership: A Right that Needs Control
December 4, 2008 • written by Jasmine Branum
The Constitution of the United States of America gives us the “right to bear arms.”
Of course, when the Constitution was written, our forefathers could not have predicted the weaponry power available to citizens today.
A musket is one thing, an AK-47 quite another.
As I’m writing this article, a friend of mine who believes gun control will ruin their life is calling. Yes, I do understand. This is a Constitutional right.
HOWEVER, the Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times. Sometimes, with advancement in technology and changes in societal values, change is needed. This is one of those times. I, too, believe in the right to bear arms, but I believe it is a right that needs control. According to an article on msnbc.com (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27598947/), gun sales are booming now that Obama has won the presidency. According to the article, “Obama has said he respects Americans’ Second Amendment right to bear arms, but that he favors “common sense” gun laws. Gun rights advocates interpret that as meaning he’ll at least enact curbs on ownership of assault and concealed weapons.
During an October appearance in Ohio, Obama sought to reassure gun owners. “I will not take your shotgun away,” he said. “I will not take your rifle away. I won’t take your handgun away.””
“Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said his organization will continue to press for what he calls “sensible” restrictions — background checks at gun shows, a ban on military-style assault weapons and cracking down on illegal gun trade. He believes he has the backing of the new administration on those issues, but any fears of a broader crackdown are unfounded.“The one thing that they agree strongly with us on is that it’s too easy for dangerous people to get guns in this country,” Helmke said. “I guess if you’re a dangerous person you might want to run out there and buy some more, but otherwise you should be OK.””
As our country becomes increasingly violent and school shootings, random shootings, family shootings, and on and on, become more prevalent, one needs to wonder about why people would be upset over the types of restrictions that are being looked at. Why the worry that you might need to wait an extra three days for that security check? Isn’t a three day wait worth thinking that maybe, just maybe, a gun control law actually saved your life or the life of someone you loved today?
Loading ...
Comments
Feel free to leave a comment...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!