Its Already Existing National Gun Laws example essay topic

It has been seen repeatedly throughout history that an effective method for weakening people, making them vulnerable to tyrannical takeover is by disarming them. In several countries tyranny was made possible simply by denying their people the right to bear arms. Fortunately our government is built on a democracy, where the citizens decide who will govern. Our democracy is 200 years strong with the constitution as its backbone. It is unrealistic to think that a country with over 300 million people whom treasure most its pro-capitalistic values would ever allow their blood and sweat to be taken away-with or without guns. Some people understandably argue that without guns we would be at the mercy of our military should a dictator decide to rise.

For the citizens of this country to fall under control of a dictator, the dictator would have to gain the favor of the majority of the military and its leaders. What makes this country great is that the military is comprised of citizens who have vowed to protect the value system that makes us the most powerful country in the world. The military is comprised of people of all different ages, religions, races, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds. No one dictator could ever come to power simply because the one thing that binds the men and women together who protect this country is their desire to preserve the value system that was outlined 200 years ago by our constitution. Those in favor of upholding the second amendment and the interpretation that every law abiding citizen has the right to bear arms is not without reason. People have argued that to implement gun control is a violation of our constitutional rights.

Though should our current gun control laws be enforced, this is not the only amendment that would be abridged to protect the citizens of this country. Consider the right to free speech, one can be arrested for yelling fire if there is none, and with reason. By yelling fire when there is none, you could endanger the lives of those around and for this reason it is illegal. In this situation the amendment that gives you the right to free speech has been abridged.

To ban guns all together is unrealistic, however to enforce the laws which already exist seems to be a reasonable and necessary compromise to protect the right to bear arms and the right to live and prosper in this great country. Between 1979 and 2001 gunfire killed 90,000 children and teens in America (Children's Defense Fund and National Center for Health Statistics). "The rate of firearm deaths among kids under the age of 15 is almost 12 times higher in the U.S. than in 25 other industrialized countries combined". (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Should the U.S. continue to be an example to the rest of the world for what a great country is, it is imperative to protect our youth who will one day carry on our great legacy. Americans for Gun Safety is an organization that supports the right to bear arms for sport, safety, and collection recently released a report stating that 20 of the nations 22 national gun laws are not enforced. The proof is in the pudding where the U.S. department of Justice data (FY 2000-2002) reports that only 2% of federal gun crimes are actually prosecuted.

Clearly, If only 2% of federal gun crimes are being prosecuted, people who would commit such crimes are likely not too concerned with the consequences. "There were 197 cases for gun trafficking, despite 100,000 guns showing signs of trafficking... 27 cases against corrupt gun stores, even though dirty dealers are the leading source of firearms recovered in gun trafficking operations... And only 7 cases for illegally selling to a minor, even though more than 30,000 gun crimes were committed by youths age 17 or under... ". (U.S. Department of Justice FY 2000-2002). With these kinds of figures its clear that we don't own guns, they own us.

Guns are claiming the lives of our youth by killing them and by being accessible to those kids who may become curious. The answer to ensuring the greatness of this country is first by enforcing its already existing national gun laws. I believe the second step to preserving the value system of this country may be even to re-evaluate the second amendment all together. "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right to bear arms, shall not be infringed". It is our constitutional right to live and prosper in a free state where the citizens are allowed to choose who will govern. For this, we have a well regulated military to ensure its security.

Bearing in mind the military is comprised of those men and women who share the same values as the average citizen because they too are citizens often our brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers. Given that those who protect this country are often those closest to us, we can be confident that they have this country's best interest in mind. The next step in ensuring our right to prosper in this country is by protecting its citizens both adults and youths from guns. Why is it that our children must pay the price for our vanity? Guns would not claim so many lives if they were simply not there.