Gun Control

Paper Summary:

This paper makes the argument that the time has come for the US legislature to do away with anachronistic laws that support a dubious "gun culture", which is an aberration in a modern, developed society, and that the ability to bear arms should be a privilege instead of a right in the 21st century. The paper begins by tracing the origins of the "gun culture" in America and then presents the history and interpretation of the Second Amendment, which supposedly gives the right of bearing arms to the citizens. Next, the paper reviews both sides of the argument for and against gun control, and then presents arguments in favor of making laws that would make the bearing of arms in the 21st century a privilege instead of a right.

Outline:
Origins of the American "Gun Culture"
The Second Amendment, its Background and Interpretation
Supreme Court's Interpretation of the Second Amendment
Does the Proliferation of Guns Promote Crime and Violence?
The Economic Cost of Gun Violence
Public Opinion about Gun Control
Reasons Why More Stringent Gun-Control Measures are Still not in Place?
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The Articles of Confederation, drafted and formulated during the Revolution, was America's first Constitution. The document, too, reflected the authors' suspicion of standing armies and a strong central government. The Articles severely restricted the powers of the Congress and gave maximum autonomy to the States. The responsibility of national defense was placed on the State militias instead of a national army and the Congress could not exercise any military powers unless 9 of the 13 States consented. Article VI specifically stated: "every state shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutred." Before long, however, the founding fathers realized that the Articles were unworkable for running of an effective government because of the extremely limited powers granted to the central government. The fighting abilities of a volunteer militia as compared to a disciplined, professional army had already been exposed during the Revolution, and even George Washington had expressed his reservations about their effectiveness in private despite his public pronouncements in support of the citizen militia . "

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Economic Costs of Gun Violence." Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Updated 4/17/07. October 31, 2007. <http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/factsheets/pdf/economic_costs.pdf>
• "Firearm Facts." Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Updated 4/18/07. October 31, 2007. <http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/factsheets/pdf/firearm_facts.pdf>
• "An interview with John R. Lott, Jr." University of Chicago Website. 2000. October 31, 2007. <http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/493636.html>
• "The Second Amendment." Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 2007. October 31, 2007. <http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/issues/?page=second>
• Smith, Tom W. "Public Opinion about Gun Policies." The Future of Children 12.2 (2002): 155-163.

More papers on Gun Control:

• Argumentative Essay # 139490 : "Why Gun Control is a Good Thing"
• Analytical Essay # 123651 : "Gun Control is Needed"
• Comparison Essay # 33611 : " Costs and Benefits of Gun Control"
• Persuasive Essay # 74503 : "The Gun Control Debate"

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