Essay On Right To Bear Arms

More Guns More Risk
The argument that everyone has a constitutional right to bear arms is being politicized within our educational environment. To allow college students to have concealed weapons on campus will welcome in the same criminality that plagues our society. Students carrying guns on campus will increase violent crimes and subject students to injury in a confrontation or victim to a senseless killing. The potential threat that would come from allowing students to legally carry guns far outweighs the benefits of having guns on campus. Politicians and college officials have been debating the effects that the possession of a concealed weapon would have on college campuses. The gun controversy in the United States is centered around the Second Amendment, which was adopted on December 15, 1791. Legislators have been examining the grammar and context of the centuries old document. The Second Amendment 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.” Many in support of gun rights feel that the Founding Fathers established this to guarantee an individual right to keep and bear arms. A fact to consider is after the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), “a well-regulated militia” is referred to as well
organized groups of men to help protect their towns from any invasion (Willingham 2). The United States won its independence and it needed to be protected. This called for a first line of defense not only to defend the townspeople from attacks, but also support the expansion of United States. The Second Amendment should not be taken literally. Militias do not exist today and have not for centuries; if they did, what would be the social ramifications in college where freedom to protest is supposed to be peaceful? Political demonstrations often create a lot of tension that is aimed at solving a problem. Adding firearms to this sensitive atmosphere could potentially have a deadly effect.
The majority of the 4,400 colleges and universities in the United States prohibits firearms and oppose any legislation forcing them to allow students to carry a firearm (“Colleges and Universities" 1). Those in support of carrying concealed guns on campus say it will deter any acts of violence from taking place within the school and that carrying a gun makes them feel safe. According to Armed Campuses, all campuses have some guideline on possession of a concealed weapon or follow state regulations. Some states strictly prohibit guns by state law; some have a mandate that allows concealed guns on the premises; and others allow colleges to adopt their own firearm policies with specific limitations. It is evident that this pro-gun movement undermines the sense of security that should be in a learning environment, which also impacts the progression of a student.
In 2013, Everytown, an independent non-party affiliated organization, began compiling data on incidents involving weapons on college campuses because the U.S.
Department of Education only tracked K-12 school, not post-secondary institutes. The next three years of data concluded that of the 160 incidents involving shootings across 38 states, an alarming 53 percent of the incidents occurred at K-12 school sites, and 47 percent on college campuses (“Analysis” 5). This data is also consistent with specifics on suicides and unintentional shootings that result in injury, which support the fact that the number of incidents involving firearms will continue to
rise.
Every day public disputes escalate into violent situations that can potentially lead to public shootouts (“Analysis” 12). Establishments of learning have existed for centuries as a place where students are encouraged to explore their humanity and pursue a degree leading to a career path. Both tasks require focus and determination, which can create stress for students as well as teachers who both can be at the center of involvement. Some situations involve risk factors that require special training from law enforcement officers whom report that they have difficulty in preventing violent acts. The use of deadly or non-deadly force is not for the untrained teacher or a college student who each have his or her own personal stressors. Some students have hectic lives, mental issues, or physical disabilities that require them to be on prescribed medication; other students report abusing prescription drugs, using illegal drugs, or abusing alcohol. According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, full-time students are twice as likely to abuse prescription drugs for non-medical reasons, which adds to the concerns of students making sound decisions involving hand guns. (“Student Health” 3).
Nonetheless, college is a place for students to establish an intellectual foundation for a career and explore the different paths of life. This sanctity should not be tampered with by inserting the very weapon that has divided our nation for decades. Influential groups from both political parties need to analyze the psychological impact and evidence supporting gun violence rise over the years. The debate over the right to bear arms, should not be taken as a grain of salt and to not acknowledge the historical context of will only result in poorly conceived resolutions.