A Right to Bear Arms
The argument that “outlawing guns will leave only criminals with guns”, has been debated over and over throughout the years without a truly clear answer being reached. As tragedies such as school shootings in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and more recently Florida become more and more common place, gun control laws have become the focal point of national concern, and call for more gun control laws has gotten louder and louder. The Constitution grants American’s the right to bear arms, but over the years these rights have become infringed upon as new laws are passed in response to specific acts and the call for new safety measures. Guns rights are a constitutional privilege that should not be regulated for unnecessary reasons …show more content…
Americans tend to believe that guns are easily obtained, when in reality current federals laws make it nearly impossible for criminals to legally obtain a weapon. Because of this misconception, Americans are still supporting stricter regulations believing many gun-control campaigns about loopholes. Firstly, when surveying state prison inmates, only 2 % admitted to having got their weapon at a flea market or gun show, 12 % from a store, and the 80% had been obtained illegally or through friends (Hardy). Secondly, NICS instant background checks automatically scans the potential buyer’s criminal and mental health history (if available) and denies them from purchasing the weapon if any red flags come up. However, it could be possible for the criminal to go into the store with a friend whom has a clean background and legally purchase the weapon or make a legal private purchase from an individual without having to go through the background check process. As a law enforcement officer, I can assure you that criminals who wish to intentionally commit a crime will find the means to do so, whether it is with an illegally obtained firearm or other type of
The argument that “outlawing guns will leave only criminals with guns”, has been debated over and over throughout the years without a truly clear answer being reached. As tragedies such as school shootings in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and more recently Florida become more and more common place, gun control laws have become the focal point of national concern, and call for more gun control laws has gotten louder and louder. The Constitution grants American’s the right to bear arms, but over the years these rights have become infringed upon as new laws are passed in response to specific acts and the call for new safety measures. Guns rights are a constitutional privilege that should not be regulated for unnecessary reasons …show more content…
Americans tend to believe that guns are easily obtained, when in reality current federals laws make it nearly impossible for criminals to legally obtain a weapon. Because of this misconception, Americans are still supporting stricter regulations believing many gun-control campaigns about loopholes. Firstly, when surveying state prison inmates, only 2 % admitted to having got their weapon at a flea market or gun show, 12 % from a store, and the 80% had been obtained illegally or through friends (Hardy). Secondly, NICS instant background checks automatically scans the potential buyer’s criminal and mental health history (if available) and denies them from purchasing the weapon if any red flags come up. However, it could be possible for the criminal to go into the store with a friend whom has a clean background and legally purchase the weapon or make a legal private purchase from an individual without having to go through the background check process. As a law enforcement officer, I can assure you that criminals who wish to intentionally commit a crime will find the means to do so, whether it is with an illegally obtained firearm or other type of