Shooting holes in the Gun Rights Movement
“Your dead kids don’t trump my constitutional rights” Since the United States of America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, guns have been an integral part of American identity. They have represented both a direct check on a possible tyrannical government and a symbol of what being American means. But if we examine the history of the 2nd Amendment and guns from a deeper perspective, we see why it’s such a controversial issue. Guns, especially now, contribute to numerous fatalities and devastatingly affect the American people, begging the question: “Is it time to place stricter checks on guns?” We have to ask this question because statistics show that in 2014, the US had the 18th highest firearm …show more content…
In 1977 through a shakeup within the NRA, the organization went from being a group of hunters and sportsmen to being a strong advocate for the right to bear arms. Catering towards strong gun advocates, the NRA was able to become a very powerful and influential organization. By aggressively advocating for gun rights, and preying on Republican congressmen with many pro-gun constituents, they were able to build up a support foundation, which they have now expanded into becoming one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington. Nowadays, they promote the 2nd Amendment, but only the parts of it they want to, specifically almost cutting the part of well regulated militia out of public consciousness. The NRA has used many quotes from the framers to enhance their gun rights cause. Take this quote from Patrick Henry: “The great object is, that every man be armed”. Using the originalist argument, this appears to be a ringing endorsement on gun rights. However, if we look at the full text of the speech, he goes on to say “At a very great cost, we shall be doubly armed”. Therefore, Patrick Henry’s statement is not so much a gun endorsement as a a complain about government waste. Another popular example used by the NRA is Thomas Jefferson’s “One loves to have arms”. Again, the actual meaning of this has …show more content…
In 1972, the Republicans supported gun control, but by 1980 the GOP officially made gun rights one of their platforms. Ronald Reagan subsequently became the first Republican to be endorsed by the NRA. Public opinion, both in favor of the NRA and guns in general swayed the Republicans. Knowing the power that an NRA endorsement would hold with their constituents, the Republicans became much more outspoken supporters of guns as they saw it had great appeal to their constituency. We must wonder how steadfast Republican congressmen are in their commitment to the gun rights movement, specifically if more of their constituents became anti-gun. By 2000, the NRA had such a power to elect presidents that the executive branch of George Bush began to shift their policies on gun rights to that of the NRA. While the NRA itself didn’t force the Court to make the DC vs Heller ruling, the momentum on gun rights that the NRA put in place cannot be understated, and it’s clear they still have a great effect on the gun conversation
“Your dead kids don’t trump my constitutional rights” Since the United States of America declared its independence on July 4, 1776, guns have been an integral part of American identity. They have represented both a direct check on a possible tyrannical government and a symbol of what being American means. But if we examine the history of the 2nd Amendment and guns from a deeper perspective, we see why it’s such a controversial issue. Guns, especially now, contribute to numerous fatalities and devastatingly affect the American people, begging the question: “Is it time to place stricter checks on guns?” We have to ask this question because statistics show that in 2014, the US had the 18th highest firearm …show more content…
In 1977 through a shakeup within the NRA, the organization went from being a group of hunters and sportsmen to being a strong advocate for the right to bear arms. Catering towards strong gun advocates, the NRA was able to become a very powerful and influential organization. By aggressively advocating for gun rights, and preying on Republican congressmen with many pro-gun constituents, they were able to build up a support foundation, which they have now expanded into becoming one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington. Nowadays, they promote the 2nd Amendment, but only the parts of it they want to, specifically almost cutting the part of well regulated militia out of public consciousness. The NRA has used many quotes from the framers to enhance their gun rights cause. Take this quote from Patrick Henry: “The great object is, that every man be armed”. Using the originalist argument, this appears to be a ringing endorsement on gun rights. However, if we look at the full text of the speech, he goes on to say “At a very great cost, we shall be doubly armed”. Therefore, Patrick Henry’s statement is not so much a gun endorsement as a a complain about government waste. Another popular example used by the NRA is Thomas Jefferson’s “One loves to have arms”. Again, the actual meaning of this has …show more content…
In 1972, the Republicans supported gun control, but by 1980 the GOP officially made gun rights one of their platforms. Ronald Reagan subsequently became the first Republican to be endorsed by the NRA. Public opinion, both in favor of the NRA and guns in general swayed the Republicans. Knowing the power that an NRA endorsement would hold with their constituents, the Republicans became much more outspoken supporters of guns as they saw it had great appeal to their constituency. We must wonder how steadfast Republican congressmen are in their commitment to the gun rights movement, specifically if more of their constituents became anti-gun. By 2000, the NRA had such a power to elect presidents that the executive branch of George Bush began to shift their policies on gun rights to that of the NRA. While the NRA itself didn’t force the Court to make the DC vs Heller ruling, the momentum on gun rights that the NRA put in place cannot be understated, and it’s clear they still have a great effect on the gun conversation