Gun Control

                In light of today’s high school shooting in Ohio, I decided to research anything recent with the hot topic ‘gun control’. Whether you are for or against laws restricting ownership and use of these lethal weapons, a lot of people are generally passionate one way or another. This topic is often a division between our two major parties, with liberals for restriction of use and conservatives tending to be not for restrictions. Starting in 1791, when the Bills of Rights were ratified and added to the constitution, obviously the “right to bear arms” was important even back then to the American people. The second amendment of the U.S Constitution states “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” This being said, it is actually quite surprising that the biggest legislation to pass was back in 1968. The Gun Control Act was proposed after the assassination of John F. Kennedy and passed quickly after the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and also Robert Kennedy. This act put a heavier demand on licenses and more detailed record keeping for dealers. Convicted felons were prohibited from the purchase of the weapon, and also mail order sales were prohibited. Additionally, in the 30 years that followed, the 5 day waiting period has been enacted as well as a background check for gun owners. These, however, are federal laws. Each states has differences in their gun control policies.

                As much of a hot topic this is, The New York Times archives on the issue, show that no legislation on this has gone up for a vote since 2009 when “the Senate turned aside the latest attempt by gun advocates to expand the rights of gun owners, narrowly voting down a provision that would have allowed gun owners with valid permits from one state to carry concealed weapons in other states.” I found that this decision was correct, especially when you look at the ‘Full Faith and Credit Clause’ that gives the power of licensing rights of this nature solely to each state individually.

                With all of this said, I will not be surprised, especially because of the events that occurred this morning at Chardon High School, Ohio, that the GOP nominees will suddenly be discussing gun control. I would not even be surprised if President Obama were to release a statement regarding the incident and put his take on what he is for or against. According to “2012 Presidential Candidates.org”, Obama is for some restrictive laws to help keep criminals out of possession of such weapons, but also for the right of citizens to own for sporting/hunting and also the protection of their homes. The website also has information on Ron Paul’s stance is that he would have the Gun Control Act of 1968 repealed and is of the belief many of the laws in place today are “for no conceivable reason beside the desire of demagogic politicians to appear tough on crime.” It will be interesting to see tomorrow if these are still the statements candidates will stand by, or even if they address the situation at all.

                I chose this topic and researched many articles on this issue because of events that occurred today, February 27, 2012. For those uniformed individuals, a juvenile student today fired multiple gunshots in a school cafeteria at Chardon High School, injuring for four (three of which are in critical condition) and killing one Daniel Parmertor. While I own a hand-gun myself and also have my license to carry (thanks Dad), when situations such as this (Take time to remember Columbine and Virginia Tech) it makes me wonder if there are any laws that could prevent these things from happening. Unfortunately, I do not think that there are. I think the idea for gun control is good, but an unrealistic one. If we are to stay a country that allows its citizens to possess these weapons, then we also opening ourselves up to them falling into the wrong hands…whether it is illegal or not. Is that enough to make me want to give up my rights? I honestly do not know, because I feel that the persons people are truly afraid of are the criminals. By definition, I think it is important to remember though, that criminals don’t really have a respect for the law. I mean look at today, Ohio gun control laws prohibit use of hand-guns for persons under 21 and all firearms to a person under 18 (except for sporting use). Yet, a juvenile was somehow able to acquire one (I do suspect probably his home and not criminal activity...) and he went and shot up his school. Yes he was caught, and will suffer the consequences, but did the laws of gun control stop him? No.  So unfortunately, I think the whole situation is a catch 22.