"It's time to put up or shut up about gun control for both parties."
--Harvey Weinstein
In the wake of public shootings and fatal violence, the United States has journeyed on a polarized roller coaster--the topic of gun control being one of its steep hills. This regulation aims to find solutions to an ever-growing "citizen protection" conflict. At the height of violent shootings, U.S. officials and citizens have chosen their side on a blatantly observable spectrum. To our left stands the liberals, who view the regulation of arms as a solution to our armed violence issues. To our right stand the conservatives, who perceive gun control as a mere violation of our rights--our right to bear arms and right to privacy, to be exact.
One issue in regards to gun control regulation is a proponent known as background checks. The sole purpose of background checks is to investigate the potential consumer's history in terms of criminal, medical, drug abuse, or domestic violence records. Intended to deter criminals or highly dangerous individuals from buying firearms, background checks became mandatory under the 1994 Brady Act. The Brady Act made it a requirement for licensed arms dealers to conduct background checks on any potential customers.
An issue with this is the private exchange of arms; private sellers, characterized by no federal licensing, are not required to perform checks on their purchaser's history. This highlights the phrase, "Criminals can still get guns if they want them... People kill people, guns don't kill people." This statement has some validity; while requiring all dealers, public or private, to conduct background checks may be beneficial, it will not hinder the "street market" for the goods.
In terms of implementing background checks, around 92% of the public supports it, according to a Quinnipiac University poll; furthermore, 98% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans see value in them. A reported 89% of those polled also supported the idea of preventing individuals with mental illnesses from buying firearms. What is quite interesting, however, is that despite the 92% favoring background checks, the majority seems to be less favorable of overall gun control regulation. The spectrum of ideologies and beliefs suggests that the more conservative citizen population feels as though their rights are being infringed upon by being forced to undergo background searches.
Some U.S. citizens are under the impression that a universal confiscation of firearms is inevitable, should any type of gun control laws be passed. The suggestion of confiscation has not been mandated, however an increase in the regulation standards of firearms not yet in circulation would occur. It is not practical to believe that the government would retrieve all weaponry from individuals within its borders. That would be impossible, not to mention expensive. Why would a country --a military superpower, at that-- require its citizens to give up their firearms? They wouldn't. The firearm and ammunition industry generates roughly $6 billion+ each year, $5.8 billion is paid in taxes, and over 200,00 jobs are ensured. Is the whole firearm debate really about infringed rights, on the conservative's end? Either it's a coincidence that one of our most economically-stable industries is supported by a seemingly frugal party, or they really are focused solely on individuals' rights... You decide.
Background checks would further limit the number of individuals who could buy firearms, thus lowering revenues. If revenues decreased, jobs would also decrease. You can see where this leads. Let's pretend the debate isn't really about ensuring the future of a billion dollar industry for a second. If both parties seem to theoretically "care" about their constituents' rights, physical health, and mental health, then why wouldn't they both desire legislation that could provide increased security measures and keep firearms out of the wrong hands? Unless the motives of the parties, or at least oneWhile some citizens may view gun control regulation as right infringement, of them, lay outside the constitutional rights sphere...
Rather than worrying about how you feel the government is stripping you of your second amendment, why don't you worry about the fact that Congress seems to be a mere puppet of the industries around them? While some citizens may view gun control regulation as right infringement, the government may view it as a potential economic loss thinly veiled with the "issue of losing rights. If background checks and un control regulations aren't reformed and passed, then I'm sure a whole new set of paranoia will surely surface. What exactly are the U.S. citizens afraid of?
Or, since they seem to be so paranoid about their privacy and wanting to make sure they can defend themselves with arms: what exactly are The People hiding?
Sierra C. McGinnis
For more information and statistical references:
http://business.time.com/2012/12/18/americas-gun-economy-by-the-numbers/
http://smartgunlaws.org/universal-gun-background-checks-policy-summary/
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/majority-americans-support-background-checks-poll-says#50280
http://www.nssf.org/impact
http://www.washingtonpst.com/world/national-security/obama-administration-pushes-to-strengthen-backgroun-checks-n-mentally-ill-gun-buyers/2014/01/03/1ff26930-74a5-11e3-8def-a33011492df2_story.html
--Harvey Weinstein
In the wake of public shootings and fatal violence, the United States has journeyed on a polarized roller coaster--the topic of gun control being one of its steep hills. This regulation aims to find solutions to an ever-growing "citizen protection" conflict. At the height of violent shootings, U.S. officials and citizens have chosen their side on a blatantly observable spectrum. To our left stands the liberals, who view the regulation of arms as a solution to our armed violence issues. To our right stand the conservatives, who perceive gun control as a mere violation of our rights--our right to bear arms and right to privacy, to be exact.
One issue in regards to gun control regulation is a proponent known as background checks. The sole purpose of background checks is to investigate the potential consumer's history in terms of criminal, medical, drug abuse, or domestic violence records. Intended to deter criminals or highly dangerous individuals from buying firearms, background checks became mandatory under the 1994 Brady Act. The Brady Act made it a requirement for licensed arms dealers to conduct background checks on any potential customers.
An issue with this is the private exchange of arms; private sellers, characterized by no federal licensing, are not required to perform checks on their purchaser's history. This highlights the phrase, "Criminals can still get guns if they want them... People kill people, guns don't kill people." This statement has some validity; while requiring all dealers, public or private, to conduct background checks may be beneficial, it will not hinder the "street market" for the goods.
In terms of implementing background checks, around 92% of the public supports it, according to a Quinnipiac University poll; furthermore, 98% of Democrats and 89% of Republicans see value in them. A reported 89% of those polled also supported the idea of preventing individuals with mental illnesses from buying firearms. What is quite interesting, however, is that despite the 92% favoring background checks, the majority seems to be less favorable of overall gun control regulation. The spectrum of ideologies and beliefs suggests that the more conservative citizen population feels as though their rights are being infringed upon by being forced to undergo background searches.
Some U.S. citizens are under the impression that a universal confiscation of firearms is inevitable, should any type of gun control laws be passed. The suggestion of confiscation has not been mandated, however an increase in the regulation standards of firearms not yet in circulation would occur. It is not practical to believe that the government would retrieve all weaponry from individuals within its borders. That would be impossible, not to mention expensive. Why would a country --a military superpower, at that-- require its citizens to give up their firearms? They wouldn't. The firearm and ammunition industry generates roughly $6 billion+ each year, $5.8 billion is paid in taxes, and over 200,00 jobs are ensured. Is the whole firearm debate really about infringed rights, on the conservative's end? Either it's a coincidence that one of our most economically-stable industries is supported by a seemingly frugal party, or they really are focused solely on individuals' rights... You decide.
Background checks would further limit the number of individuals who could buy firearms, thus lowering revenues. If revenues decreased, jobs would also decrease. You can see where this leads. Let's pretend the debate isn't really about ensuring the future of a billion dollar industry for a second. If both parties seem to theoretically "care" about their constituents' rights, physical health, and mental health, then why wouldn't they both desire legislation that could provide increased security measures and keep firearms out of the wrong hands? Unless the motives of the parties, or at least oneWhile some citizens may view gun control regulation as right infringement, of them, lay outside the constitutional rights sphere...
Rather than worrying about how you feel the government is stripping you of your second amendment, why don't you worry about the fact that Congress seems to be a mere puppet of the industries around them? While some citizens may view gun control regulation as right infringement, the government may view it as a potential economic loss thinly veiled with the "issue of losing rights. If background checks and un control regulations aren't reformed and passed, then I'm sure a whole new set of paranoia will surely surface. What exactly are the U.S. citizens afraid of?
Or, since they seem to be so paranoid about their privacy and wanting to make sure they can defend themselves with arms: what exactly are The People hiding?
Sierra C. McGinnis
For more information and statistical references:
http://business.time.com/2012/12/18/americas-gun-economy-by-the-numbers/
http://smartgunlaws.org/universal-gun-background-checks-policy-summary/
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/majority-americans-support-background-checks-poll-says#50280
http://www.nssf.org/impact
http://www.washingtonpst.com/world/national-security/obama-administration-pushes-to-strengthen-backgroun-checks-n-mentally-ill-gun-buyers/2014/01/03/1ff26930-74a5-11e3-8def-a33011492df2_story.html