Elizabeth Riddle

Mrs.Moore
AP Lang
7, February 2016
Gun Control

Gun control has been a controversial topic that seems to never be able to reach a cut and
dry solution. The Second Amendment in the Constitution allows the right to bear arms, which
was meant for protection, but this isn't the common use for guns anymore. Gun control needs
regulation to decrease the amount of mass shootings, as well as accidental shootings and enforce
background checks and liable reasons to have a gun.
To begin, mass shootings seem to be the "new thing." There are more mass shootings in
the United States than any other country. A mass shooting occurred every week, but one in 2015.
462 people lost their lives and 1,342 were injured due to mass shootings in 2015, according to Al
Jazeera America. None of these shootings were for self-defense or due to feeling threatened- so
why hasn't gun control increased? The Second Amendment created a law so that individuals can
protect themselves if in harm, or if you feel threatened but guns are rarely used for this reason.
According to CNN, many of the criminals have been mentally ill, but while the amount of
shootings increase, the amount of criminals who are ill hasn't.
Accidental shootings are also related to the amount of deaths yearly by a firearm. The
Trace, a website created on account for the insight of guns stated, "In 2015, there were 12,942
people who died due to a gun homicide, and unintentional shooting or a murder/suicide. This
statistic alone gives a strong argument for background checks and ensuring that a gun is being
bought for a liable reason. According to President Obamas 2015 Executive Actions On Gun
Control, He encourages greater communications between federal and state authorities on
criminal history information. The Obama administration seeks to increase the dialog with states
to ensure the background check system is as comprehensive as it can be. Many accidental
shootings and mass shootings start with the child having access to their parent or guardian's'
firearm and taking advantage of it. A possible solution to this could be making a law that all
firearms must go into a gun safe with locks to ensure no one else has access to the gun.

Increasing gun control is such a controversial topic due to the Second Amendment
stating, 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 amendment intention was having the
ability to protect yourself in situations when you feel threatened. Most situations don't fit the
criteria but many believe the constitution can't change and it is too late to try and make a
difference. Guns are apart of the American lifestyle whether it be for hunting or for selfdefense.
Increasing gun control wouldn't hurt Americans in any way, but would be an attempt to
avoid as many mass shootings or accidental shooting in the United States. Creating a law stating,
you must have any gun in a safe and locked holder would decrease the amount of children that
take their parents weapons and commit crimes, as well as, preventing kids from having any
access to guns in general. Having the highest amount of mass shooting throughout the world
should be the reason America pulls the trigger on increasing gun control.