Gun Control Debate Throughout Contemporary America

Gun Control Debate in Contemporary America Introduction The gun control debate has dominated US history, and it has been a controversial issue in itself considering that the right to bear and keep arms is one among the few bitterly divisive issues of American constitutional law. The Second Amendment is significant in this debate, providing the basis upon which those supporting robust gun regulation as fundamental, collective, and civic right and in particular its preamble concreting the usefulness of a well-regulated militia. Emphasis has been placed by gun rights advocates, comparing this to press freedom in enabling citizens to possess firearms for self-protection, hunting, or to wage revolution against the government itself in†¦show more content†¦The Pennsylvania Declaration of Rights obligated each citizen s contribution to protecting others, and hence introducing the right to bear arms for a distinct public purpose and thus, contextually, supporting a civic, military, and collective proposition to the right instead of an in dividual right to personally protect themselves. This led to the formulation of three positions regarding this granted right, that of an indirect enabling of a natural right for self-defense, enabling a militia system, or making sure that there is an armed citizenry that would provide the counterbalance against government excesses (Hardy 1243). Rebellions as an Important Part of the Militia Debate The Shay’s Rebellion in Massachusetts in 1786 underscored the crisis that many Americans were undergoing, and in particular concerning the civic obligation attached to gun ownership, characterized by violent resistance to conventional law enforcement. There was a need by the central government to improve its militia following the uneven performance of the Massachusetts militia (Higginbotham 43). Under the leadership of Captain Daniel Shay, thousands of men were up in arms, closing courthouses in the western counties, including Massachusetts, intimidating judges, and thus threatening the arsenal of the Confederation at Springfield (Cornell 33). Although they were eventually dispersed by government forces, the rebels were supported by some militia units in some rebelShow MoreRelatedThe Gardens Of Democracy By Eric Liu And Nick Hanauer1443 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout the world, many contemporary issues occur in the world of Politics. Democracy is also involved with several contemporary issues. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary (2014), the word democracy is defined as a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections (Page 215). Like in many political parties, democracy faces several political issuesRead MoreThe Gardens Of Democracy By Eric Liu And Nick Hanauer1446 Words   |  6 PagesAnalytical Essay Introduction Throughout the world, many contemporary issues occur in the world of Politics. Democracy is also involved with several contemporary issues. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary (2014), the word democracy is defined as a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections (Page 215). Like in many political parties, democracyRead MoreThe Gardens Of Democracy By Eric Liu And Nick Hanauer1571 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Throughout the world, many contemporary issues occur in the world of Politics. Democracy is also involved with several contemporary issues. According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary (merriam-webster.com 2014), the word democracy is defined as a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections (merriam-webster.com 2014 ). Like in many politicalRead MoreThe Theory Of Personality Development Essay1646 Words   |  7 Pagesaggression that have help sociologists understand the contemporary humans’ social behavior, on topics such as violence and social life. So is violence [aggression] is innate in us? In this essay, I will try to answer the following questions: what is Sigmund Freud’s relevance to sociology, how can his observations and theories illuminate contemporary social behavior, and how does his essay Civilization and its discontents (1930) speak to modern debates on violence and social life. To begin, the theoryRead MoreGun Control, Or Firearm Regulation, Can Be Defined As The1929 Words   |  8 PagesGun control, or firearm regulation, can be defined as the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians. In America and countries across the world, the distribution and legalization of guns and gun related products has created great controversy in contemporary politics. The purpose of the debate being an attempt to find the middle area between constituent safety and rights of civilians to own or protect themselvesRead MoreGun Crime Essay Persuasive Writing3363 Words   |  14 PagesMorning Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here to talk about gun control in America. It is one of the most controversial and intractable issues in America. It is a topic of discussion that is very much still in debate today. I strongly believe that guns are an absolute menace to America. Today, I will tell you why bet ter gun control laws must be enforced immediately and prove that America would be a much better, safer place to live in with stricter gun restrictions and rules. Americans are faced with anRead MoreThe Issue Of Gun Control2872 Words   |  12 PagesThe issue regarding gun control has long been debated by American society and remains as a major issue in the political arena. Due to the recent mass shootings involving tragic massacres of both children and adults, the question regarding guns and its social implications have renewed national interest. Among the questions involve the ethicality of prohibiting guns, as well as its practicality. Despite these conflicts, the overall benefits of imposing looser gun restrictions far outweigh its prohibitionRead MoreRacial Profiling And Racial Segregation1255 Words   |  6 PagesThe existence of racial profiling is one of the most pressing issues facing the contemporary society of America. Historically, law enforcement has a heritage of racially motivated legislation - from slave codes, black codes, to other oppressive practices targeted at the populations of minorities. The present-day relationship b etween minorities and the police has been consequently influenced by such historical trends of discrimination. Recent events reflect the policing strategy of racial profilingRead MoreFallacies of the Assault Weapons Ban2969 Words   |  12 Pagespublic safety. A major issue that is constantly debated by opposing interest groups is gun control. This is a topic that creates a firestorm of debate between people all over the country. On one side, there are the gun owners who believe the Second Amendment to the constitution is absolute and that citizens of the United States should be permitted to own any firearms they want. On the other side, there are gun prohibition groups who believe that all firearms should be banned. Both of these pointsRead MoreLegacy Of The Great Society : The National Endowment For The Arts2643 Words   |  11 Pagesstyles of art as a form of censorship against more traditional styles. Others questioned the need for government support of the arts at all. O ne Representative reminded his colleagues that the Vietnam War was on, and â€Å"We cannot have guns and butter. And this is guns with strawberry shortcake covered with whipped cream and a cherry on top† (p. 28). Nevertheless, appropriations were granted. As LBJ’s presidency came to an end it highlighted the need for a stronger institution. President Nixon supported