The Right to Bear Arms (only the Facts)

The Right to Bear Arms

Sam Stewart

UNCP

The Right to Bear Arms:

        For much of the twentieth century, especially over the past few years, there has been a major debate over the controversial topic of gun control. This argument should not even be considered a major issue in America. As a citizen of the United States one has the right to bear arms due to the 2nd amendment of the Constitution, and facts have proven that firearms actually cause for a safer nation. With all this considered, gun control is a direct infringement of the constitution and has proven to have more consequences than positive outcomes.

        There are two sides to this argument, pro-gun groups and anti-gun groups. Both have many arguments and tactics to prove why their side is correct; here are just a few examples to explain each group. Anti-gun groups normally state that guns are the reason for such high violence in America. They want control and bans on firearms and even target corporations that are pro-gun. Pro-gun groups state that guns actually decrease crime and murder rates. They explain that it’s their 2nd amendment right to own a firearm and that a right cannot be taken away.

        Firearms should be allowed to freely be owned in America due to our 2nd amendment right in the constitution. It states, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed (Firearms Fact Card, 2014).” If a person has basic comprehension skills they should be able to understand the statement, “shall not be infringed”. This means arms, meaning firearms, cannot be taken away. It was a given right that goes along with several other rights such as the freedom of speech and opinion. Say an individual wanted to put bans on freedom of speech, many people would become enraged and find it unfair. Well, that’s how many firearm owners feel about gun control. How can one right be infringed while others cannot? It is in all honesty unfair to citizens who use guns for individual purposes such as hunting, self-defense against a tyrannical government or private violence, sport, and collecting (Blocher, pg.14). They enjoy owning firearms and are properly handling them, so they should not have to be effected by gun laws because of another’s poor decisions.

        Not only does the constitution back up the right to bear arms so do the facts. Studies performed by the Department of Justice, Congress, the Congressional Research Service, the National Academy of Sciences, the Library of Congress, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that there is no solid proof that indicates that gun control actually works (Firearms Fact Card, 2014). These studies have shown that since 1998 the murder and crime rates are at an impressive low since several gun laws such as the expiration of the handgun waiting period, the allowance of large magazines, lifted bans on “assault weapons”, and 42 states being able to conceal carry were lifted (Firearms Fact Card, 2014). Between 1991 and 2012 the total murder rate in the United States declined a massive 51% which was a 49 year low. The total amount of violent crimes even dropped 49%, a 42 year low (Firearms Fact Card, 2014). On top of this it is estimated by the Institution of Medicine and the National Research Council that 294 million guns exists in America; this fact makes the United States number one in the world for gun ownership (IOM, NRC, pg.27). Many would be lead to believe that our nation is one of the most violent due to the overwhelming amount of firearms. However, America is 28th in the world for gun related murders per 100,000 people (Snyder). These facts alone show that the allowance of more firearms have decreased crime and murder in the United States and allow for a safer nation.