Gun Control Laws

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the controversial topic of gun control in America. It explains the argument that gun control will save lives and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and gangs. It then presents the other side of the debate, that the Second Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the right to own guns, and that control is anti-American. The paper concludes that tighter gun control laws are necessary and discusses how to achieve these laws.

From the Paper:

"Recently, ABC World News Tonight reported on gang violence in Palm Beach, Florida, an upscale retirement community in South Florida. Gangs have taken over much of the city, and they use automatic weapons to maintain control. Reporter Pierre Thomas says the Palm Beach Police Department faces enormous firepower in attempting to deal with these gangs. He notes, "His [the Palm Beach Police Chief's] department routinely faces enormous firepower on the streets they patrol, and a majority of the shootings are from assault rifles and AK-47s, which are easily hidden from plain view" (Thomas, et. al). In one shooting in January, an 8-month old baby was killed in her car seat during a drive-by shooting where over 30 rounds were fired (Thomas, et. al). Palm Beach is not an isolated community. The Brady Campaign notes, "In 2002, nearly 8 children and teenagers, ages 19 and under, were killed with guns everyday" ("Firearm Facts"). Gangs are routinely becoming involved in organized crime activities such as drugs and prostitution, and they use their high-powered weapons to intimidate victims and maintain control over other rival gangs."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Editors. "Fact Sheets." NRAILA.org. 2007. 24 Feb. 2007. <http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=83>
• Editors. "Firearm Facts." BradyCampaign.org. 2007. 24 Feb. 2007. <http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/factsheets/pdf/firearm_facts.pdf>
• Editors. "Homicide Trends in the U.S.: Weapons Used." United States Department of Justice. 29 June 2006. 24 Feb. 2007. <http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/weapons.htm>
• Simpson, Brian W. "Cutting the Flow of Guns to Criminals." Johns Hopkins Public Health Magazine. 2006. 24 Feb. 2007. <http://magazine.jhsph.edu/2006/Fall/urban_health/illegal_gun_sales/>
• Thomas, Pierre, Jack Date And Nitya Venkataraman. "Fighting Gang Bangers In The Land of The Rich." ABCNews.go.com. 20 Feb. 2007. 24 Feb. 2007. <http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2887260&page=1>

More papers on Gun Control Laws:

• Persuasive Essay # 141006 : "The Effect Of Gun Control Laws: An Analysis"
• Argumentative Essay # 140327 : "American Gun Control Laws"
• Analytical Essay # 118684 : "Gun Control Laws in the United States"

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