Gun control is a very thorny issue in the United States and over the years has posed as a big challenge on how to control gun use and ownership. The greatest challenge in tackling this issue is uncontrolled gun rights inhibiting the government’s duty of protecting its citizens from unnecessary deaths and crime (Jacobs, & B.J, 204). Two groups always at loggerheads over this issue are gun control activists who claim to keep firearms from the hands of criminals creates safer communities, while gun rights activists say ownership of firearms by law-abiding citizens reduces incidents of crime. Gun right activists are in support of firearms ownership for self-defense, hunting, sporting activities and security against oppression (RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA).
Incidents of gun violence were very common, and the government had to take action. It was an issue tackled through legislation. Gun control was a hot topic during election periods between gun control and gun rights activists. The major disagreement always arose on an interpretation of laws on gun use and cases that involved gun violence. The question raised was how gun control was going to affect crime and public safety in general. The landmark ruling of the U.S Supreme Court decision in 2008 that upheld the right of individuals to own guns for the purpose of self-defense (RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA).
This is an investigative type of research. The aim of the research is to uncover underlying issues on the issue at hand (in this case gun control), what is being done to remedy the situation and how reluctance or implement of measures affects the general public. The New York Times published the article. The information on the article was from the F.B.I, landmark rulings by the Supreme Court and data from states that have implemented gun control.
Works Cited
Jacobs, & B., J. (2002). Can gun control work? New York: Oxford University Press.
RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA. "Gun Control Explained." THE NEW YORK TIMES. THE NEW YORK TIMES, 7 Oct. 2015. Web. 26 Apr. 2016.
