Gun_Control

Jimie Cespedes Patrick Vallee English 1B 9 September, 2013 Gun Control Is gun control worth the cost of our freedom and can or will it come to the complete forfeiture of our 2nd Amendment rights' This paper, because of its topic is controversial and hence argumentative. I do hope my research will show that the potential cost of losing our constitutional right to keep and bear arms would be at no less cost than our very freedom in this country. Questions such as the main research question above will be considered, and the like: To what extent is gun control necessary' Is it possible our founding fathers may have supported some factor of gun control' I’d also like to take into brief consideration the recent controversy of the language of the 2nd Amendment which is being questioned (and remark on the trend of how language can be taken out of context from its original meaning, for example the original history, meaning and intention of the phrase “church and state”); what was the intention, meaning and history of the 2nd Amendment when it was originally drafted' What measures are being taken for prohibiting firearms from mentally unstable persons, criminals, etc' Did Hitler really enforce gun control' Then, finally I will look at the gun ban in the UK, Australia and also our own New York City; have these gun bans had the intended result of less violence' What do statistics show' To elaborate on the main question, can it really happen that we would ban guns in America will look at our value upon our states to enact gun bans, therefore a unifying factor of all or most of our states would have to lead into a nationwide gun ban, or perhaps the President could attempt to take more radical anti-gun action, or the more likely: a case before the Supreme Court changes the entire meaning of the 2nd Amendment. Gun safety is a crucial issue that can lead to gun bans. At least two of our founding fathers spoke of gun safety for their children; which does speak of instilling principles of gun control, for example. What is the right level of gun safety that would not potentially lead to an out and out gun ban' (Consider the LIFE act). Looking at the language of the 2nd Amendment and delving into the history of James Madison’s writing of it, I trace its origin to England’s Bill of Rights from 1689, consider natural and legal rights, look at the Loyalist-Patriot disagreement and its influence, the meaning of militia and the potential for a need to overthrow a tyrannical government, as well as look at George Mason (co-Father of the Bill of Rights with James Madison) and others of their time. Continuing to study this history I’ll note the original proposal and its wording for the Bill of Rights on June 8, 1789 to its final reworded/modified language passing December 15, 1791 and finally Supreme Court rulings (such as District of Columbia vs. Heller 2008). Interesting to note how something so easily stated gets misconstrued in its meaning to mean quite the opposite, for example “church and state”, where it came from, its original meaning and intention and its use as the total opposite of this definition today. Also of worth to think about is the climate that would be necessary to create and encourage the banning of weapons. It has sparked the banning of weapons in other countries; the senseless mass shootings of children in schools. Often at the hands of mentally unstable individuals, these persons qualify the absolute necessity for gun control. Speaking of mentally unstable individuals and gun control, did Hitler really disarm the populace in Germany before his notorious reign as dictator' I’ll cite an interesting, but granted somewhat of a gun extremists chart that documents each instance in world history of dictatorships that disarmed their people in order to move into the position of ultimate power over their people. Finally I take into account what’s happening in Australia and the UK as well as take a look at our own New York City which have banned or placed heavy restrictions on gun ownership. (Is the Washington Times article regarding the gun ban of Australia written by the same Dick Heller as in Dist. of Columbia vs. Heller'). My interest is my passion for my country and all its very unique freedoms and even the freedoms it promises to those who do not even live here. Our freedom is broad reaching in a global sense. We represent a free nation and a people to the world and our rights guarantee our freedoms which are a great beacon of hope to the world. Should we lose these rights, just one part of them, a darkness could prevail universally, this is an issue important to not just Americans but for everyone in the world. I used to have much more of an avid interest in such issues on a conservative platform, actively seeking out talk radio and the Fox New Channel on cable, and I most certainly have always been quite passionate about the right to keep and bear arms in the past, this analysis is a renewing factor in my life and I welcome this eagerly as I look forward to pursuing this research with great enthusiasm. This topic is absolutely worth considering because of the high stakes of our potential freedom. The pattern of my questioning takes into consideration the validation of gun control which could well lead to a total ban and a complete withdrawal of our 2nd Amendment rights. I think Professor Vallee has well heard all the arguments on Gun Control, but perhaps I may through my research expose him to a new source of information that he has not before considered. I hope to learn much more about how well our Constitutional freedoms are being upheld and about how proud every single American is and how far each is willing to go to uphold their freedoms and Constitutional rights. Being disappointed on this level, or being validated beyond expectation, I will rejuvenate with the new hope that I can bring added knowledge to a person’s situation and a positive influence on their attitude that will convince them how crucial this issue is and how important it is that one not be swayed to forfeit any part of the sacred document that is our Constitution. I am very heavy on the internet research, with research from Cornell, the Law Library of Congress and more. I also like to give hyperlinks to recordings that are of particular interest. I would also like to conduct interviews with members of my community to further my research. Interviewing the local cop may prove disappointing as they may be legally prohibited from giving such opinion, though their opinion is valued. I will, however, be able to interview a retired policeman and a local city councilwoman as members of the community. Questions I’d like to ask will be: Do you think Orange County or California would ever enact a total gun ban' Do you think America will ever sacrifice its 2nd Amendment rights' How real is the concern that we as a people in America would lose our right to keep and bear arms and why is it a concern if so' What is your understanding of the wording, history and meaning of the 2nd Amendment' Obviously, we do need some level of gun control to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and mentally unstable individuals, where do we draw the line on this control, with licensing and registration and/or with makes, models and ammunitions' (I would love to have some feedback on some questions specifically for the city councilwoman here in Laguna Hills). Among my readers will be residents of this country, students, neighbors, friends, those who face restrictions for gun ownership and therefore cannot own one, gun owners, those who do not possess guns by choice and other various members of my Laguna Hills community. I will be most interested in their opinions and stances on this issue. I hope to convey a sense of importance and necessity in my argument that inspires them to take action to ensure our rights be preserved. I also hope they will have a respect for me after reading my work and should they have disagreed with my viewpoint, be swayed by the opinion and research of my work to reconsider the value of our 2nd Amendment rights. Beyond English the most appropriate language and style of this work will be appropriate; proper. Works Cited Acosta, Luis. "United States: Gun Ownership and the Supreme Court." Second Amendment. Law Library of Congress, July 2008. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. Agresti, James D., and Reid K. Smith. "Gun Control - Just Facts." Gun Control - Just Facts. Just Facts, 13 Sept. 2010. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. Barton, David. "The Separation of Church and State." WallBuilders. David Barton, Jan. 2001. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. Casida, Tishta T. "Natural Rights vs. Legal Rights." Daily Paul. Daily Paul, 5 Mar. 2012. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. Criminals Smuggle Guns in after Guns Are Banned in Australia. By Adam Walters and Grant Taylor. Perf. Channel 7 News Western Australia. YouTube/First on 7 News Australia. YouTube/First on 7 News Australia, 20 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. "CRS Annotated Constitution." Annotated Constitution Prototype. Cornell University Law School, 1992. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA v. HELLER." DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA v. HELLER. Cornell University Law School, 18 Mar. 2008. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. Heller, Dick. "LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Australia Gun Ban Not Working." The Washingtion Times. The Washington Times, 3 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. "Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence – Gun Law Information Experts." Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence RSS. Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 9 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. NSW Police Minister Responds to Spike in Gun Crime. By Leigh Sales. Perf. NSW Police Minister Mike Gallacher. - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). ABS News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 23 Jan. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. "Second Amendment to the United States Constitution." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 09 Oct. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. Zelman, Aaron, and Richard W. Stevens. "Death by "Gun Control"" Death by "Gun Control" JPFO, 2002. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. *Having taken Journalism, I am deftly aware of the reputation Wikipedia has and do not usually use it, however, the resources through CREDO/Saddleback College were surprisingly quite limited on the 2nd Amendment and I found more information through Wikipedia which had verifiable information being documented history through research.