Argumentative Essay: Gun Control In America
Gun Control in America
In the wake of the Connecticut school shooting, gun control has become an intensely debated topic. Many citizens believe that guns should be immediately banned while others feel the best course of action is to equip instructors with guns. However, those on each side of the issue believe that maintaining safety is the main priority. I believe the best course of action is not to simply take guns away from those who wish to do harm but rather prevent them from obtaining access to guns. Citizens should not have their guns taken away all together, but rather there must be stricter guidelines and more thorough checks to obtain a gun. Right now anyone without a serious criminal history and felonies can obtain a gun license with a right to carry if they take a eight hour class and pass a test. You …show more content…
can even have someone who was licensed from the mail come to your house and give you the test, with this how can the state be sure that this person was not a friend and just gave them the answers and allowed them to pass? How safe can someone who was certified in the mail be? Would you trust this person to be around you and your family with a gun?
I feel the best way to keep America safe is to understand the mentality of its citizens. The main focus should not be on how to take away guns but rather how to better our mental health care system. It is a safe assumption to conclude that those who use random acts of violence to solve their problems suffer from mental illness. I think a mental test should be used for everyone who applies for a gun license and should be redone every couple of years to test their stability, this could possibly help identify a trigger for someone with mass murders on their mind. I think another solution that could help reduce tragic events like at the Connecticut elementary school would be you need to scan your license in order to buy ammo and anyone buying a large quantity should be detained and questioned. In the theater shooting and the elementary school shooting both suspects purchased large quantities and had this situation been in place maybe these acts of violence could have been prevented.
Currently, Michigan gun laws state that you must pass certain criteria to obtain a pistol permit. In order to obtain a concealed pistol permit, applicants must be older than twenty-one and be a state resident for longer than six months. The applicants are also required to successfully complete a safety training course, involving when and where it is appropriate to carry and use guns. The Michigan state website also outlines that applicants cannot be prohibited from obtaining a permit under MCL 750.224f (Michigan.gov/MSP, 2013).
I personally know individuals who have received their concealed pistol carrying license, and they described the process as detailed but easy. They described the process as taking a class for a few hours, both written and field testing. The instructor asked the students questions about their mental stability and any legal troubles. During the questionnaire the instructor informed them they needed to provide three references. These references could be anyone in their lives, including relatives. They had to submit themselves to a criminal background check, as well as finger printing at the sheriff’s office. The process in its entirety took roughly forty-five days. During the approval process I asked if they received any further contact by officials. They informed me that no one contacted them or any of their references once they submitted their paperwork. The permits arrived in the mail about a month and a half later and that was the end of the process. The level of detail in obtaining a Michigan permit appears to be minimal at best.
The route in which President Obama and many others seem to show interest in is with a more detail orientated process to obtaining guns. According to Fox news (2013), the president wants to develop an emergency response model for schools, churches, and other public facilities. This is realistic since there is no guarantee that removing guns will not end mass killings. After all, if someone is bound and determined to kill many they will just find a way to do so if a gun is not available.
This mentality echoes that of vice president Joe Biden (2013), who believes that nothing can be done to fully eliminate the possibility of future mass shootings. However, with stricter gun laws there can be a drastic reduction in fire arm death without impacting anyone’s second right amendment.
President Obama is aware of the importance mental health care plays a role in America’s safety. One of his actions is to clarify that doctors are not prohibited from asking their patients about any and all guns in their homes according to the Affordable Care Act (Foxnews.com, 2013). He goes on to further state; there are no laws which prohibit health care providers from reporting any threats of violence.
President Obama is set on tackling unnecessary legal barriers. He particularly wants to address the issue that prevents states from making information (mental health related) available to the background checking systems. It is a goal of Obama to require any gun buyer to be subject to criminal background checks, in an attempt to prevent dangerous weapons from entering into possession by the mentally unstable.
I believe this is the best course of action, rather than reacting to horrific situations such as school shootings. It is our responsibility rather to prevent such terrible acts from occurring in the first place. While I cannot say with one hundred percent certainty that mass killings would be a thing of the past, I am confident that their frequency can be reduced if we increased our awareness of those who are buying and obtaining guns. Doctors, politicians, gun sellers, and general people of the community can make a beneficial impact if we rally together and promote awareness, and cautiousness.
As stated earlier, some believe that teachers and other school officials should be equipped with guns. They believe that this could better protect our children, but I do not believe this may be the case. Rather, I believe the number of children being accidentally shot would increase. Even, if a teacher can save just one or two lives by having a gun it is not worth the risk of exposing them to a gun in the classroom each day. Looking at the numbers, an average class room of thirty being around a gun five times a week for eight hours a day poses more of a risk than a random act of violence.
Just recently Governor Snyder (2012), vetoed a legislation that would allow those with a concealed pistol license to carry guns in schools, and other forbidden zones. The legislation would have required additional training but as I stated earlier, no amount of additional training seems worth the risk. He also urged that the senate bill 59 be modified in a way that restricts pistols in prohibited zones.
In every argument each side will make valid points.
However, with high risk situations such as gun control it is best to find a middle ground. After all, if owning a gun becomes a crime I don’t anticipate many criminals turning over a new leaf and handing their guns over. If the only people that are equipped with rifles are criminals, then how can someone expect to protect themselves and their families while waiting for police to arrive (assuming they arrive at all with many of the budget cuts starting with the police and fire departments)?
From what I have learned, I feel that it is essential to make obtaining a gun and gun permit more thorough. Michigan is an open-carry state, meaning you do not have to own any licensing to have a gun as long as it is registered. I think that open carry is a dangerous thing and that anyone who owns a gun should be required to take a course and undergo a criminal and mental background check. Making the process more detail orientated will keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them, but protect the right to bear arms promised to the American citizens in the second
amendment. References
Concealed pistol license requirements. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gov/msp/1,1607,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10926--,00.html
Cothran, H. (2003). Gun control: Opposing viewpoints. Farmington Hills. Greenhaven Press.
Joe biden: Gun laws won 't "guarantee" end to mass shootings. (2013, Janurary 31). Huffington post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/joe-biden-gun-laws_n_2595379.html
List of executive actions obama plans to take as part of anti-gun violence plan. (2013, January 16). Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com
Snyder vetoes concealed pistol bill, oks process to streamline purchases. (2012, December 18). Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gove/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_57657-291588--,00.html
Spitzer, R. (2009). Gun control: A documentary and reference guide. Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara publication.
In the wake of the Connecticut school shooting, gun control has become an intensely debated topic. Many citizens believe that guns should be immediately banned while others feel the best course of action is to equip instructors with guns. However, those on each side of the issue believe that maintaining safety is the main priority. I believe the best course of action is not to simply take guns away from those who wish to do harm but rather prevent them from obtaining access to guns. Citizens should not have their guns taken away all together, but rather there must be stricter guidelines and more thorough checks to obtain a gun. Right now anyone without a serious criminal history and felonies can obtain a gun license with a right to carry if they take a eight hour class and pass a test. You …show more content…
can even have someone who was licensed from the mail come to your house and give you the test, with this how can the state be sure that this person was not a friend and just gave them the answers and allowed them to pass? How safe can someone who was certified in the mail be? Would you trust this person to be around you and your family with a gun?
I feel the best way to keep America safe is to understand the mentality of its citizens. The main focus should not be on how to take away guns but rather how to better our mental health care system. It is a safe assumption to conclude that those who use random acts of violence to solve their problems suffer from mental illness. I think a mental test should be used for everyone who applies for a gun license and should be redone every couple of years to test their stability, this could possibly help identify a trigger for someone with mass murders on their mind. I think another solution that could help reduce tragic events like at the Connecticut elementary school would be you need to scan your license in order to buy ammo and anyone buying a large quantity should be detained and questioned. In the theater shooting and the elementary school shooting both suspects purchased large quantities and had this situation been in place maybe these acts of violence could have been prevented.
Currently, Michigan gun laws state that you must pass certain criteria to obtain a pistol permit. In order to obtain a concealed pistol permit, applicants must be older than twenty-one and be a state resident for longer than six months. The applicants are also required to successfully complete a safety training course, involving when and where it is appropriate to carry and use guns. The Michigan state website also outlines that applicants cannot be prohibited from obtaining a permit under MCL 750.224f (Michigan.gov/MSP, 2013).
I personally know individuals who have received their concealed pistol carrying license, and they described the process as detailed but easy. They described the process as taking a class for a few hours, both written and field testing. The instructor asked the students questions about their mental stability and any legal troubles. During the questionnaire the instructor informed them they needed to provide three references. These references could be anyone in their lives, including relatives. They had to submit themselves to a criminal background check, as well as finger printing at the sheriff’s office. The process in its entirety took roughly forty-five days. During the approval process I asked if they received any further contact by officials. They informed me that no one contacted them or any of their references once they submitted their paperwork. The permits arrived in the mail about a month and a half later and that was the end of the process. The level of detail in obtaining a Michigan permit appears to be minimal at best.
The route in which President Obama and many others seem to show interest in is with a more detail orientated process to obtaining guns. According to Fox news (2013), the president wants to develop an emergency response model for schools, churches, and other public facilities. This is realistic since there is no guarantee that removing guns will not end mass killings. After all, if someone is bound and determined to kill many they will just find a way to do so if a gun is not available.
This mentality echoes that of vice president Joe Biden (2013), who believes that nothing can be done to fully eliminate the possibility of future mass shootings. However, with stricter gun laws there can be a drastic reduction in fire arm death without impacting anyone’s second right amendment.
President Obama is aware of the importance mental health care plays a role in America’s safety. One of his actions is to clarify that doctors are not prohibited from asking their patients about any and all guns in their homes according to the Affordable Care Act (Foxnews.com, 2013). He goes on to further state; there are no laws which prohibit health care providers from reporting any threats of violence.
President Obama is set on tackling unnecessary legal barriers. He particularly wants to address the issue that prevents states from making information (mental health related) available to the background checking systems. It is a goal of Obama to require any gun buyer to be subject to criminal background checks, in an attempt to prevent dangerous weapons from entering into possession by the mentally unstable.
I believe this is the best course of action, rather than reacting to horrific situations such as school shootings. It is our responsibility rather to prevent such terrible acts from occurring in the first place. While I cannot say with one hundred percent certainty that mass killings would be a thing of the past, I am confident that their frequency can be reduced if we increased our awareness of those who are buying and obtaining guns. Doctors, politicians, gun sellers, and general people of the community can make a beneficial impact if we rally together and promote awareness, and cautiousness.
As stated earlier, some believe that teachers and other school officials should be equipped with guns. They believe that this could better protect our children, but I do not believe this may be the case. Rather, I believe the number of children being accidentally shot would increase. Even, if a teacher can save just one or two lives by having a gun it is not worth the risk of exposing them to a gun in the classroom each day. Looking at the numbers, an average class room of thirty being around a gun five times a week for eight hours a day poses more of a risk than a random act of violence.
Just recently Governor Snyder (2012), vetoed a legislation that would allow those with a concealed pistol license to carry guns in schools, and other forbidden zones. The legislation would have required additional training but as I stated earlier, no amount of additional training seems worth the risk. He also urged that the senate bill 59 be modified in a way that restricts pistols in prohibited zones.
In every argument each side will make valid points.
However, with high risk situations such as gun control it is best to find a middle ground. After all, if owning a gun becomes a crime I don’t anticipate many criminals turning over a new leaf and handing their guns over. If the only people that are equipped with rifles are criminals, then how can someone expect to protect themselves and their families while waiting for police to arrive (assuming they arrive at all with many of the budget cuts starting with the police and fire departments)?
From what I have learned, I feel that it is essential to make obtaining a gun and gun permit more thorough. Michigan is an open-carry state, meaning you do not have to own any licensing to have a gun as long as it is registered. I think that open carry is a dangerous thing and that anyone who owns a gun should be required to take a course and undergo a criminal and mental background check. Making the process more detail orientated will keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them, but protect the right to bear arms promised to the American citizens in the second
amendment. References
Concealed pistol license requirements. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gov/msp/1,1607,7-123-1591_3503_4654-10926--,00.html
Cothran, H. (2003). Gun control: Opposing viewpoints. Farmington Hills. Greenhaven Press.
Joe biden: Gun laws won 't "guarantee" end to mass shootings. (2013, Janurary 31). Huffington post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/joe-biden-gun-laws_n_2595379.html
List of executive actions obama plans to take as part of anti-gun violence plan. (2013, January 16). Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com
Snyder vetoes concealed pistol bill, oks process to streamline purchases. (2012, December 18). Retrieved from http://www.michigan.gove/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_57657-291588--,00.html
Spitzer, R. (2009). Gun control: A documentary and reference guide. Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara publication.