Argumentative Essay: The Gun Control Debate In America
Joseph Farley
Comp I
15 February 2013
The Gun Control Debate in America
The debate over Gun control has taken front and center in recent news head-lines. The communities and families whose lives have been effected by gun violence are speaking out. In an article titled “Newtown Open eyes to other gun violence against young people” Sarah Hoye explores how every day gun violence effects inner cities like Philadelphia on a daily basis. “Scott Charles walks briskly across a hospital lobby toward a group of high school students waiting to meet him. "Welcome," he said, panning their faces, "I work with gunshot patients. How many of you know somebody who's been shot?" Hands spring up into …show more content…
the air from roughly half of the more than 20 students. Without flinching, Charles continues his introduction. "What we're going to do today is take you behind the scenes, pull back the curtain and let you see what we do in treating gunshot patients," he said. It's all part of the Cradle To Grave program that Charles helped create to reduce violence in what is supposed to be the City of Brotherly Love.” Among America's largest cities, Philadelphia's homicide rate is the worst. Guns are the weapons of choice, with more than 80% of homicides committed with a firearm, according to the most recent police statistics. African-Americans make up 85% of the victims. "Statistics suggest that as a young, black man, you have a greater chance of being shot and killed in Philadelphia than you would have if you were a soldier serving in the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq," Charles said. "That's absurd to me."(CNN pg 2) Gun violence is a regular problem in inner cites like these, but not exclusive to these parts. Poppy Harlow and Ed Payne report in an article “Newtown Calls on Connecticut to ’Show America the Way’ on gun control” on how even the most unexpected places such as an Elementary School can fall victim to gun violence incidents.
“Six weeks since the Newtown, Connecticut shooting claimed the lives of 20 elementary kids and six educators the community is still dealing with the aftermath of the disaster. “For six hours, they poured out their hearts, their losses and their tears. "We all recognize December 14 as the day hell came to Newtown," said Nicole Hockley, mother of 6-year-old Dylan, who was one of the children killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Dave Wheeler, who also lost his son Benjamin that day, calmly told the legislative panel that the government's priorities need to be set straight. "The liberty of any person to own a military-style assault weapon and a high-capacity magazine and keep them in their home is second to the right of my son to his life," he said, noting that the Constitution says Americans are endowed with the inalienable rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." "Let's honor the founding documents and get our priorities straight," he concluded, to a standing
ovation. While calls for tougher gun laws are taking the headlines in light of recent events, several speakers said the weapons are not the problem. "Neither the size of the magazine nor the style of the rifle will affect the actions of evil," Brian Shimer said. "Those wishing to do harm to those wishing to do good will never be swayed by the laws of men."
And Michael Collin said he didn't want to be in a situation where he could be outgunned.
"I don't want to have to wait for someone to come to defend me. I want to be able to defend myself," he said, concerned about speaking his mind in a town still grieving so deeply. “ (CNN pg 4) Certainly a highly contested debate around the country, that has both moral and lawful implications. We have not heard the end of the gun control debate, but there has been some lee-way made regarding gun control laws. This month, President Barack Obama unveiled a two-pronged approach to gun violence that included legislation and a set of executive actions. He called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, institute universal background checks on gun purchases and outlaw gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. This may help quell the debate for now regarding stricter gun control laws, but there is no question this topic will be on the forefront of both moral and lawful controversy for years to come.
Comp I
15 February 2013
The Gun Control Debate in America
The debate over Gun control has taken front and center in recent news head-lines. The communities and families whose lives have been effected by gun violence are speaking out. In an article titled “Newtown Open eyes to other gun violence against young people” Sarah Hoye explores how every day gun violence effects inner cities like Philadelphia on a daily basis. “Scott Charles walks briskly across a hospital lobby toward a group of high school students waiting to meet him. "Welcome," he said, panning their faces, "I work with gunshot patients. How many of you know somebody who's been shot?" Hands spring up into …show more content…
the air from roughly half of the more than 20 students. Without flinching, Charles continues his introduction. "What we're going to do today is take you behind the scenes, pull back the curtain and let you see what we do in treating gunshot patients," he said. It's all part of the Cradle To Grave program that Charles helped create to reduce violence in what is supposed to be the City of Brotherly Love.” Among America's largest cities, Philadelphia's homicide rate is the worst. Guns are the weapons of choice, with more than 80% of homicides committed with a firearm, according to the most recent police statistics. African-Americans make up 85% of the victims. "Statistics suggest that as a young, black man, you have a greater chance of being shot and killed in Philadelphia than you would have if you were a soldier serving in the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq," Charles said. "That's absurd to me."(CNN pg 2) Gun violence is a regular problem in inner cites like these, but not exclusive to these parts. Poppy Harlow and Ed Payne report in an article “Newtown Calls on Connecticut to ’Show America the Way’ on gun control” on how even the most unexpected places such as an Elementary School can fall victim to gun violence incidents.
“Six weeks since the Newtown, Connecticut shooting claimed the lives of 20 elementary kids and six educators the community is still dealing with the aftermath of the disaster. “For six hours, they poured out their hearts, their losses and their tears. "We all recognize December 14 as the day hell came to Newtown," said Nicole Hockley, mother of 6-year-old Dylan, who was one of the children killed by a gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Dave Wheeler, who also lost his son Benjamin that day, calmly told the legislative panel that the government's priorities need to be set straight. "The liberty of any person to own a military-style assault weapon and a high-capacity magazine and keep them in their home is second to the right of my son to his life," he said, noting that the Constitution says Americans are endowed with the inalienable rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." "Let's honor the founding documents and get our priorities straight," he concluded, to a standing
ovation. While calls for tougher gun laws are taking the headlines in light of recent events, several speakers said the weapons are not the problem. "Neither the size of the magazine nor the style of the rifle will affect the actions of evil," Brian Shimer said. "Those wishing to do harm to those wishing to do good will never be swayed by the laws of men."
And Michael Collin said he didn't want to be in a situation where he could be outgunned.
"I don't want to have to wait for someone to come to defend me. I want to be able to defend myself," he said, concerned about speaking his mind in a town still grieving so deeply. “ (CNN pg 4) Certainly a highly contested debate around the country, that has both moral and lawful implications. We have not heard the end of the gun control debate, but there has been some lee-way made regarding gun control laws. This month, President Barack Obama unveiled a two-pronged approach to gun violence that included legislation and a set of executive actions. He called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, institute universal background checks on gun purchases and outlaw gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. This may help quell the debate for now regarding stricter gun control laws, but there is no question this topic will be on the forefront of both moral and lawful controversy for years to come.