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A gun, defined as a weapon consisting of a metal tube from which a projectile is discharged by the force of an explosive, was the object used by thousands of men as they fought from the freedom of the United States. The gun is the object in which 62 % of murders are committed, but the gun is also the most effective form of self-defense. Guns have played a very important role in Americas government, and our country has arrived to its current stage with the use of guns. Several organizations such as the NRA promote gun control, and likewise there are several groups opposing the use firearms such as Hand Gun Control Incorporated.
However, before one can argue gun control they must be familiar with the Second Amendment, the article allowing the people of the United States to bear arms. The English Bill of Rights states: That the subjects which are Protestants, may have arms for their defense suitable to their conditions, and as allowed by law. This statement is what initially gave Americans the idea of creating the Second Amendment to be what it currently is. On June 8, 1789, James Madison proposed the amendment: The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; a well armed and well regulated militia being the best security of a free country: but no person religiously scrupulous of beating arms shall be compelled to render military service in person. Madison's proposition and the English Bill of Rights were the basis on which the Second Amendment was formed.
Although, the Boston Massacre was the fuse that lit the powder keg of debate over the right of the people to be armed. Madison's amendment was modified through a select committee, the House of Representatives, and the Senate before it stated: 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. The Second Amendment clearly states that the people of the United States have the right to have guns, but many people continue to debate the issue of guns in our modern society. The constitution was constructed over two centuries ago, and the founding fathers of the United States surely did not expect America to become what it has. The author of the Fairfax County Militia Plan and co-author of the Second Amendment, George Mason wrote in his plan, ... a well-regulated Militia, composed of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other Freemen keep by us, one Pound of Gunpowder, four Pounds of Lead, one Dozen Gun Flints, and a pair of Bullet Moulds, with a Cartouch Box, or powder horn, and Bag for Balls.
However, the guns of the twenty-first century are much more deadly than the muskets of the eighteenth century. Primarily the handgun, which account for 92. 5 % of firearm murders, calls for the debate of legislating gun control. When first arguing gun control many tend to discuss what exactly did the creators of the constitution mean by the word militia. Gun control advocates dispute that the Founding Fathers second amendment never intended to give individuals the right to bear arms, but meant the Second Amendment was to apply to the militia, such as the Army, Navy, or National Guard. However, several resources easily shoot down this argument. For example, in The Federalist Papers, number 46 Madison, who is said to be the father of the second amendment, says that a federal army seizing control would be foolish because a militia amounting to half a million men would oppose them.
He clearly acknowledges that the militia is every free man in the United States. Alexander Hamilton, another forefather of the U. S. , clearly agreed with the idea of an individual bearing arm. He wrote in The Federalist Papers, number 29: What plan for the regulation of the militia may be pursued by the national government is impossible to be foreseen... The project of disciplining all the militia of the United States is as futile as it would be injurious if it were capable of being carried into execution...
Little more can reasonably be aimed at with the respect to the people at large than to have them properly armed and equipped; and in order to see that this be not neglected, it will be necessary to assemble them once or twice in the course of a year. In the preceding documentation, Hamilton says that disciplining all the militia would be nearly impossible because there are to many citizens to account for. Later in his article, he explains that the people at large should be armed. Therefore, one could conclude that the militia is essentially the people of the United States.
The U. S. Code, Title 10, Section 31 declares the state militia being all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and under 45 years of age who are, or have made declaration of intention to become, citizens. Even with all the documentation supporting the individual in his or her right to bear arms, there are still many opposing the individuals right to bear arms. Roy G. Weather, J.
D. , names gun control advocates as misguided patriots, in an extremely one sided article where he expresses his belief that Congress has the right completely ban private ownership of guns. Even if Congress had the right to do so, banning private ownership of guns would never pass, at least not in our current society where 89 % of registered voters believe that the Second Amendment gives them the right to own a gun. Dennis A. Henigan writes that the Nra's belief of having the right to keep and bear arms is a mere constitutional illusion. U. S.
Senator Joseph Biden says, Banning guns is an idea whose time has come. Agreeing closely with Senator Biden is Senator Dianne Feinstein who believes that all Americans have the right to feel safe, and banning guns will strengthen this right. As long as there are people who strongly oppose private ownership of firearms, there will always be U. S.
citizens for the complete banning of guns. Although, these citizens may know that the complete banning of gun control will not take place anytime soon they are constantly proposing legislation to control private ownership of guns. For example, the 1934 National Firearms Act, the Gun Control Act of 1968, the Federal Firearms Act of 1983, and the Brady Laws are instances where gun control advocates have taken steps toward strict laws enforcing personal ownership of firearms.
Free research essays on topics related to: people of the united states, arms shall not be infringed, ownership of firearms, gun control advocates, people to keep and bear
Research essay sample on Gun Control Advocates Arms Shall Not Be Infringed
