I don’t come from a family that owns guns. We’ve never even talked about having a gun
before, but that one incident made my dad change his mind. Within the matter of a few weeks, he had
purchased a handgun and was regularly going to the gun range to target
practice. Even though I don’t think I
would want one, I strongly support the Constitution and the people’s right to
have guns. Plus, it was on my bucket
list to shoot one, so a few weeks ago, I went with him to target practice.
Being at the gun range was pretty shocking to me. There were lots of people, in fact lots of kids,
and obviously a lot of guns. There were
also a lot of safety measures in place. What was shocking to me however, was the
type of guns people were using. I
understand some people may use rifles and shotguns to hunt. Other may be practicing with handguns for
protection – but what were the snippers practicing? Too old for military practice, I couldn’t
figure out why the average American would need all the equipment necessary for
being a sniper. Maybe I’m just ignorant
about guns, or maybe we’re taking this whole gun ownership a bit too far.
I was also curious how my dad had purchased his gun. You see, my dad has a diagnosed mental health
disorder and a history of violence. It
seems to me like he fits the mold for a person who probably shouldn’t have
access to guns. However, he told me
there was no waiting period, no mental health checks, nothing. He literally just walked in, and after a
quick background check, purchased any gun he wanted. Again, I support the Constitution, but I also
think there should be better regulations around an industry that contributes to
thousands of deaths each year – (yes, I know people kill people, not guns, but
guns certainly play a role J).
While we were on our break, I’m sure you all heard about the
killing of 9 people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Charleston, South Carolina. Unfortunately,
it seems every single quarter we’re faced with news stories such as these. I’ve blogged so many times about gun violence
that I’ve lost count. If you’re
interested in reading any of those posts, or your fellow student’s comments,
use the word “shooting” in the search bar.
For this week, I’m interested in knowing, “Do you support or oppose gun
ownership? What do you think should be
done to curb the staggering amount of gun-related deaths in this country?” Answers are due no later than Wednesday,
August 5th, 2015
*Please note: I will
be out of town next week, but there will still be a new blog post, so don’t
forget to post!
No one NEEDS a gun at all. Period.
ReplyDeleteGet rid of all guns... the world would be a much better place without them. Wouldn't have to worry about all these laws and deaths if they weren't around.
ReplyDeletePersonally, i think due to the actions of many Americans, the 2nd Amendment deserves its own amendment to read the "Right to Protection". There should be tighter regulations as well as multiple ways to track when, where, who, bought the gun with what serial number is on it. It wouldn't be an invasion of privacy but if you ask me, American gun owners as a whole have abused that right too much. When Columbine happened people were shocked, but had there been, more understanding of psychological disturbance, AND tighter restrictions on how you could get a gun, so many lives could've been spared. I don't know how you get grenades or assault rifles, and automatics; and honestly I don't want to. I've never been all "Gun"g Ho"; but if it protects people from people who are obviously threatening a life, have at it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Americans seem to abuse the 2nd Amendment and use that law as an excuse to do whatever they feel. I don't approve of guns but when it comes to those who have no choice to fend for them selves, such as soldiers then that is okay. I think the bottom line for me would be that soldiers should only be allowed to use them.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind if you have a gun or not. They need to start doing background checks and send them in to the FBI so they can call you and tell you whether you can sell them a gun or not. Not doing background checks is one of the number one causes in deaths and people who haven't gotten in trouble with the law selling them or their gun has been stolen. Right know our world is nothing but about deaths and corruption and it needs to change!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am all for having guns. I think people should have them if they want them. However, I feel like there should be a better background check on people who are wanted to buy a gun. As long as you are a good person, meaning you have not been in trouble with the law before and have no other issues, buy all the guns you want. This world is scary so I think everyone is entitled to feel safe, and as long as you are responsible and not crazy, then you should be able to own and carry a gun. Like they saying goes, guns don't kill people, people kill people. I am a firm believer in that.
ReplyDeleteBri Mcgee
I believe that guns are acceptable. The only thing is that we can't keep them away from anyone who uses it for the worse. It is all on the behavior and choices of us individually. We should be able to protect ourselves. I understand that we can be scared sometimes, but those unforeseen situations cannot be stopped. We should just consider the fact that we need to be aware of possible outcomes of those who own the guns.
ReplyDeleteI have many mixed feelings about gun control. I mean Ithink people should have a couple in their house to protect their family. But they don't need high powered rifles and machine guns. At is overkill. Plus, if you have to many guns and there are kids in the house that is just a higher risk of them finding it and playing with it. I also think people that have mental problems, drinking, or anything llike that shouldn't have a gun until they have gone through a program saying that it is alright to have a gun. I really think they should be used for protecting yourself and hunting for food. But people do not need those miltarty grade guns that can blow a deer to pieces. That is just dumb. However, I am scared of guns in the wrong persons hands
ReplyDeleteI don't care if people have a gun, because it's up to them if they want one. I have a couple of them. I just think they need to do better background checks and different tests to check their mental state.
ReplyDeleteI think guns are acceptable, especially when it comes to protecting yourself but I think they are too easily obtained. I do think they should have more regualtions and that they should require various tests for people to get them, if not already.
ReplyDeleteMacy Wilson
You bring up an excellent point about how it is perhaps a little too easy to get a gun. I've handled and shot rifles, pistols, and shotguns. With proper education there's nothing monstrous about a gun, but the fact that almost anyone can acquire one, and the immense variety available to the public is unsettling.
ReplyDeleteSome argue that it doesn't matter, because more restrictions would just encourage more criminal trading. It's hard to say, or find out what would work for America, because for some it is a very touchy subject.
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ReplyDeleteI grew up in the country, in the middle of nowhere, and guns are a part of life. There are multiple reasons for owning a gun: they are used for hunting, to protect your home and if you have an animal that is wounded and needs to be put down....well there's that element to. Plus, you really don't hear of gun related crimes in these places. I think the biggest issue with guns is that people are just dumb with them, for some not even realizing that when you shoot a person they don't just come back to life like they do in call of duty. A gunshot wound can be vital and with how much we surround ourselves with all of this violent influence we forget to respect the importance of responsibility. We can't control how people use them, and it is their right to possess a firearm. Putting more laws and regulations on the guns isn't going to prevent the people who want a gun from getting one, they will find a way. But on the flip side, it will possibly prevent people who would have bought one to keep for self-defense from purchasing one because they don't want to go through the hassle.
ReplyDeleteShould some people not have guns? Absolutely. Their are those people out there who really shouldn't possess a gun but I don't believe that there should be harsher regulations just for those few individuals.
Guns in and of themselves are not wrong, it is the mindset of the individuals who use them in negative ways that are wrong.
I believe if you are sane mind body and soul and aren't mentally ill in any way you should be able to have a gun. I feel with the way the world is set up now you have a right to defend yourself. If you are out to just do violent things no a person should not be able to have a gun at all. I want to be able to defend myself if someone breaks into my house with intent to do harm to me or my family.
ReplyDeleteI think it is acceptable for people to have a gun for protective purposes. However, it seems like many Americans are so focused on the right to carry a gun that they forget it is also a privilege. In other countries it is much more difficult to get a gun due to restrictions and thorough background checks. I feel that if we were able to adopt some of these processes, it would allow us to ensure that gun owners are in a healthy state of mind and educated on proper use.
ReplyDeleteFor me there are a lot of qualifiers to the idea of gun ownership. Since the constitution allows it, I think it should be still legal for people to own guns. However, I do not think that things like high powered assault rifles should be available to the public. I also think some kind of in depth mental health screening should be employed in addition to background checks when someone is purchasing a gun.
ReplyDeleteGun control laws should be a lot stricter and not allow just anybody to obtain them i definitely think they are necessary for hunting and protecting one's self. but their should be a limit on how many you can buy and what caliber of a gun it is no one need a machine or a sniper gun to protect them self.
ReplyDeleteI believe gun ownership is needed to a certain extent. I would like to have a gun due to the fact of someone coming into my home harming me and my family. Now on the opposition side people using gun violence to get revenge on other people is just evil. There should be a control on who should be able to purchase a hand gun. I would think there would need a background check due to the fact we need one to get a job. I don't know what could be done to stop hand guns from entering the streets even with stricter laws. People break into hand guns hop all the time.
ReplyDeleteI think guns are acceptable because they can be used for self-defense when necessary. Everyone should have the right to bare arms but with that comes lots of responsibility, gun laws should be enforced, and people should be more educated about guns before owning them. Owning a gun is a big responsibly and I don't think people understand how serious it is to be armed.
ReplyDeletei dont like guns, i grew up with out them. i dont see a reason for them in this world. i dont think they should be sold to anyone.
ReplyDeleteYes, i do support gun ownership. Especially for protection reasons. But as far as curbing the staggering amount of gun-related deaths, we could make it harder for people to obtain guns, cause its actually really easy.
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ReplyDeleteI feel as if guns should be illegal to all. It's clear people are abusing the use of them as well as COPS. They should just be banned all together.
ReplyDeleteI do support it because some people in the world need protection. Like single mothers for example. I wish we could change it to where you are only allowed to use your gun while your at home. If something happens outside of your home then you can use your maze or taser to defend yourself. I think if you are in a fist fight you should not be allowed to pull out a gun to protect yourself unless that person has a weapon and is trying to use it on you.
ReplyDeleteIt has taken me awhile to post about this topic because I feel whenever the topic of guns comes up it's an all or nothing argument. You state, " I support the Constitution, but I also think there should be better regulations around an industry that contributes to thousands of deaths each year." The founding fathers believed the same thing. The second amendment exactly 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." If I could highlight the words "well regulated" they would be. This amendment was never meant to have all peoples be able to have guns. Only those that can fight and uphold the "necessary...security of a free State" should be in possession of guns. To me this means, citizens who have never been convicted of a crime, who are of sound mind (cleared of all mental health issues) and are given training on proper use by professionals. I compare the negativity to gun regulation to the issue of drinking and driving. This was a very large problem sometime back and a campaign was put in place. Yes, people still drink and drive, but the number of deaths has shot way down due to due to the laws and campaigns that have been put in place federally and state by state. Illegal guns will always get into the wrong hands, that doesn't mean we need to assist in giving them to the wrong people.
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