|
Post by Admin on Oct 3, 2017 16:12:12 GMT
Gun Rights and Gun Control in the Wake of Mass Shootings In the wake of mass shootings, conversation typically goes straight to the topic of gun control and gun rights. Since the tragic event that happened in Las Vegas has re-kindled this topic, I would like to bring this conversation to the discussion board. *Please be aware that this is a fluid situation, meaning news is constantly being updated. As soon as I attach an article detailing what is known at this time, new information will emerge and will continue to emerge as this discussion board is active. Activity-as defined for last DB assignment- deadline for this thread will be Sunday, October 8 at 11:59 pm. Be advised, you will not be in school Monday- You lucky ducks! AM There are multiple articles to read. There are many articles for your background information. The most thoughtful and high scoring responses will use a multitude of articles; referring directly to them as evidence in your response- This is not an open forum for you to rant with nothing to back it up. You by no means are limited to these articles alone, so if you want more materials- FIND THEM. Some of the articles are INTENTIONALLY opinionated, these articles are marked by ”op-ed ” or opinion. Please make responses closer to 300-400 words for this original post. Respond to a minimum two of your peers with @studentsname. For full credit, it needs to be more than one sentence. These are guiding questions to consider when reading the texts: 1. Is there compelling government to limit (we could never suggest completely banning ALL guns unless the Second Amendment was amended) gun possession in the United States? Explain your reasoning. 2. Is there a more valid reason to limit certain guns than others? 3. Why is this such a heated debate (even when tragedy does not spark the conversation)? 4. What role does a government play when it comes to the conversation about gun rights versus gun control. 5. What is the answer or where should the focus be in the wake of a mass shooting? Gun control? Gun ownership? Background checks? Mental health? Background Articles: This link summarizes the gun debate in the United States- gun-control.procon.org/This link distinguishes automatic and semi-automatic weapons- www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/oct/02/difference-between-automatic-and-semi-automatic-we/This article provide U.S. gun statistics- www.cnn.com/2017/10/03/americas/us-gun-statistics/index.html - This article comes from a British news source: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/02/us-gun-control-ownership-violence-statistics Current Event Information: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/02/las-vegas-shooting-what-we-know-so-far www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/02/us/vegas-guns.html Purposefully chosen opinionated articles to spark conversation www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/10/02/gun-control-in-europe-is-almost-total-it-hasnt-stopped-mass-shooting-attacks-like-las-vegas.html www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/03/america-is-exceptional-for-its-unique-deadly-gun-culture/?utm_term=.e47fb41cc71e www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/10/02/las-vegas-proves-gun-debate-is-over-gun-rights-crowd-won-nancy-kaffer-column/724724001/www.forbes.com/sites/ritarubin/2017/10/03/las-vegas-massacre-gun-violence/#30ed60bd38af www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/12/02/san-bernardino-gun-control-thetruthaboutgunscom-editorials-debates/76700270/- an article from 2015 following the San Bernadino shooting www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-defilippis-hughes-gun-myths-debunked-20160708-snap-story.htmlAs always, if you want printed copy of the resources, please see me.
|
|
|
Post by Williams on Oct 8, 2017 3:18:49 GMT
The debate concerning gun control and gun rights is nothing new in the United States. However recent acts throughout the years especially the Las Vegas shooting just a few days ago have proven that whatever the US is doing is not enough. The United States currently holds the world record for most mass shootings. For every 100 people 88 of them are said to own a gun. This is extremely unnecessary. We have established that the government's sole purpose is to protect our natural rights and promote the common good. The common good is not to live in fear. The argument may be posed that guns don't kill people, people kill people. However Americans are 25 times more likely to be murdered by a gun than in any other country. So is america just breeding killers or does the fact that guns are readily available have something to do with it? Nearly the rest of the world has found ways to prevent events such as what happened in Vegas. So why isn't the country most effected by such tragedies adopting the same protocols? It is understandable that there is no way of getting rid of guns completely nor is there any use in that. However acts such as the ones put in place by the Obama administration (which President Trump has already repealed) that prohibit certain individuals with severe mental disorders from getting guns would be a step in the right direction. Guns have a time and place and whenever the United States starts taking steps to keep them in their appropriate time and place then its people will no longer have to live in fear.
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Oct 8, 2017 5:10:50 GMT
The popular topic of gun control and gun rights in the United States has been a reoccurring issue since the late 1600’s. Based on a 2014 study published in the International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences on theguardian.com, the US houses 88 guns for every 100 people. To further elaborate on this piece of information, a Harvard/Northeastern study in 2015 reported that 32% of men said they personally owned a gun, while only 12% of women said they owned a gun. This ownership of guns by citizens then begins to play a part in the event of mass shootings, creating more debates on gun control while increasing the demand for guns in such situations. What right is guaranteed in said situations can be extremely argumentable, boiling down to what the Second Amendment communicates. The Second Amendment protects an individual’s rights to own guns, saying that guns are crucial for self-defense from threats. When viewing a mass shooting however, this is when the discussion becomes arguable. The gun in this situation is being used for harm rather than against harm, so is it really going with what the Second Amendment says? The focus of a mass shooting then turns over to gun control, background checks, and mental health statuses. As quoted from TheWashingtonPost, “Trump, whose campaign received $30 million from the NRA, moved to reverse Obama-era regulations that attempted to make it harder for people with records of mental illness to acquire guns. In April, he became the first sitting president to address the NRA itself.” Taking this action to reverse Obama’s regulations puts us more at risk, in need of a thoughtful solution.
|
|
|
Post by Martin on Oct 8, 2017 5:42:59 GMT
@williams What first peaked my interest in your response was the line "The common good is not to live in fear". This statement really spoke to me because of everything that has happened with the Vegas shooting recently, and how many lives were put in danger that night. What is good for the people is to feel comfortable and protected in the country that they live in without the fear that their rights will be abused. We should not have to walk out of our house in fear that someone with a gun is going to shoot us at any given time, that's not fair. Looking at your first question, I think the fact that guns are so readily available have a lot to do with shootings. Americans own the most guns per person in the world, and that's why it is happening most often in the United States than anywhere else.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Oct 8, 2017 10:42:12 GMT
Nice job Lauren and Paige for getting this board started. Both original posts and the response that you made Paige are model posts- well done! I can appreciate that you are the first two to post in this class.
|
|
|
Post by Sarver on Oct 8, 2017 13:57:59 GMT
If you ask any individual the one word that enters the mind when thinking of an American citizen, it surely is the word FREEDOM. Freedom is defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Unfortunately, this "power" of ours has been granted to the extreme of accepting deaths every few years and to be alright with that. Since Americans keep reliving the same story again and again, it almost becomes our natural assumption on all these mass shootings. For instance, an article stated, "1,516 mass shootings in the United States over the past 1,735 days.", if this does not open your eyes and come to a conclusion that we live in this horrific environment then nothing else should. Every disturbed individual with a clean criminal record can obtain firearms, and everyone can pursue a free massacre if they so choose. It's a deadly circle of violence, that has created Americans to fear with going to the movie theaters, the grocery store or even stepping out of their own home. There really is no conclusion, Americans at large are OK with the thousands of deaths every year, the losses that under size to terrorism or in military campaign year after year. It is clear that we will never remove guns from our culture with having enough guns in the United States for every man,woman and child to own one. For example,"The United States is simply awash in guns. There are almost as many privately owned firearms in this country as there are people living inside it." Americans may ask, so how many guns is enough? Clearly the answer is not more guns, yet the government keeps fighting for restrictions, and advocates more gun sales to occur. We have a second amendment that is honored as part of our constitution to allow people to own guns, varying from state to state. But between all these mass shootings occurring year after year,it's the price we're willing to pay for such an expansive view of the 2nd Amendment and that it is our choice. It's sad to say but when the next one happens we will watch,learn more about the victims, see the disturbed images of their grieving families, and will be a devastation once again left by in history. So, why does anyone not care to step up and enforce something tighter than making these laws more freely used? Unfortunately, this is the world we live in and this generation will continue to remember all the attacks staring from 9/11. But on the other hand though, gun control should not be the only incident thought of. Just think if guns were completely illegal, would this stop the problem? Guns are not the only weapon that could be used when planning an attack, if people want to kill they will do anything in their power to find something including a knife, a bow, or even a pair of scissors. There will be a point where us citizens can not tell the difference between a civil war in a another country and a normal day in the US. For instance, "The United States has a problem, and it's not because we have more mental illness, and it's not even because we're more violent," it simply is our freedom we obtain that is taken for granted and now it is hard to even control what will happen next. With the gun culture that has taken over, the reflexive love of our military and a strong patriotism that is well part of the U.S, is simply being destroyed by the need of violence that is separating society as a whole.
Q: What is the point of making laws if everyone disregards them and acts how they want anyways?
|
|
|
Post by Croll on Oct 8, 2017 15:24:35 GMT
When elaborating on gun control and gun rights, it is no doubt that it is a very heated discussion going on within the United States. Based on an article from theguardian.com, it is said that for every one hundred Americans, eighty eight of them possess a firearm. Statistically speaking, the human to gun ratio is higher in the United States than it is in any other country in the world. The big question though, is would banning firearms decrease shootings in the United States? "Europe, which has all the gun controls that are being pushed in the aftermath of the Las Vegas carnage, has actually suffered more bloodshed from these types of attacks than the United States." Regardless of laws banning guns, if someone wants to make an attack, they are going to do just that. However, the focus on these mass shootings should be placed on the difficulty of obtaining a firearm, rather than attempting to ban them. Purchasing a gun is not difficult enough. "The department of justice estimates that there are 2,000 to 5,200 gun shows held in the United States each year. That's as many as 100 gun shows every week... But gun shows are also frequented by private collectors who set up tables to buy, sell and trade guns. These sales do not require a federal license if they're made between two people in the same state. And they don't require a background check." Acquired from USA Today. These shows make it much easier to obtain a gun. Although this is not the only way to purchase a firearm illegally, there should be a limit set on outlets like these where no background check is necessary. Banning guns may not be the best route in lowering the rate of shootings, but requiring a much more severe background check would help lower them.
Q: Does making things illegal truly prevent the chance of them happening? Are there many things in the United States that are illegal and still happen?
|
|
|
Post by Croll on Oct 8, 2017 15:53:25 GMT
@emilysarver Your appeal to statistics about the mass shootings over that period of time is very eye opening. I also agree that the banning of firearms would not prevent mass shootings and attacks like we have seen in recent history. Like anything else, if someone wants it bad enough they are going to get it. Attacks like we have seen will continue to occur until the focus is placed on the difficulty of purchasing a firearm.
@laurenwilliams I really liked how you brought in what we have been talking about with the "common good." As Americans, we should not have to worry about the risk of being attacked when we walk outside of our own homes. The fact that guns are readily available is the reason behind these attacks, and perhaps the only way that we can limit them is with some sort of higher control. There needs to be a severe background check in order to purchase guns, however a ban is unnecessary. I agree that guns have a necessary time and place and we are using them very incorrectly, and until they are used in the right manner we will live in fear.
|
|
|
Post by Kamerer on Oct 8, 2017 17:30:03 GMT
All guns are dangerous, but some more than others. For example, and automatic assault rifle is way more dangerous than a semi-automatic pistol. This is why the government should put more restrictions on highly dangerous weapons, which even though they cannot stop people from getting them(black market) they can make it harder for them to acquire. For instance it says, “you can still buy an automatic weapon, but their sale and ownership is highly regulated and exceptionally expensive.” Although they are highly regulated(supervised/controlled) people still have the opportunity to purchase them as an ordinary citizen. To continue, only cops, army, and government officials should be allowed to purchase while going through thorough screen and background checks.The article states, “To buy a fully automatic rifle, a prospective owner must pay the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco of Firearms $200 and pass federal background check that shows no record of domestic violence or felony convictions. The process can take months.” To continue, even though it can take months to get the weapon, the outcome is still the same, many dead.The United States holds 31% of global mass shootings. This goes to show how even though we have restrictions on guns, they’re still easily accessible. Also, even though there are restrictions on “bump stocks”, which are used to make semi-automatics into fully automatics, there should still be restrictions on deadlier semi-automatic guns; Bump stocks should be illegal as well. By no means are semi-automatic guns safe, this is why the U.S should put restrictions on certain ones. For instance, pistols and hunting rifles should still go through extensive background checks to purchase, but can still be legal. Although, the government has already banned certain types of semi-automatic guns, some are still being sold today. In conclusion, every gun should go through a background check if it is being sold, but deadlier weapons should not be sold at all.
Do believe all guns should be sold with restrictions, or some shouldn't be sold to the public at all?
|
|
|
Post by Kamerer on Oct 8, 2017 17:44:56 GMT
@sarver I agree with the fact that, your expressing the fact about how humans break laws regardless if they are set in place or not, but for every law set in place that a human doesn't break that is a live saved. For example, you asked what is the pint for laws if we're just going to break them. Well you only hear about people breaking the laws; you never hear about all the humans who follow the laws. You are always going to have those select few who break the law, but you will also always have the many who follow the law.
@croll I believe that making something illegal will never make it go away, but it will manage it better. For instance, yes making something illegal should prevent it from happening, but it won't. This is, because of those select few @sarver who will go above and beyond to break the law. Although, some may get it through persistence, it will prevent many from not.
|
|
|
Post by Sarver on Oct 8, 2017 19:03:39 GMT
@williams I liked how you included that "the United States holds the record for the most mass shootings." It does not make sense that after many large shootings that have occurred that everyones exclaims how they will make a change, but nothing happens. So, what is the magic number of individuals being killed for Americans to open up their eyes and realize this is plain cruelty. You would think the 20 children in the Sandy hook shooting or the 49 lives in the Orlando nightclub would spark some knowledge for change, but unfortunately it has not.
@kamerer With answering your question of "Do you believe guns should be sold with restrictions or some shouldn't be sold at all", I feel as though with all the violence we have been witnessed to in the 16 years of our lifetime, that guns should be with higher/ stricter restrictions or just not sold at all. I am torn with this because guns can come for a proper use like hunting for example. However, it seems as though our privilege with the gun use has gone overboard therefore one person always ruining it for the rest of us. So, it seems as though until the public can be fully trusted with these weapons that they just should be gone with, which is a shame. But with putting restrictions on just some guns, then the other ones available will soon be the issue that will arise.
|
|
|
Post by Kingerski on Oct 8, 2017 21:02:15 GMT
Gun control is only one of the many controversies going on in the United States right now. It is brought more to the forefront of our attention at the present, however, because of the recent shooting in Las Vegas. The shooter managed to kill over 50 people and injure more than 500. Considering the ongoing debate over gun rights and regulations, this tragedy has added more fuel to the fire. The topic causes such a debate because of the Second Amendment. Many Americans are around and have been given access to guns. According to CNN, for every 100 Americans there are 89 who own some type of firearm. Because of the American belief that we have the right to bear arms, recent attempts to regulate gun use has caused quite the stir. Although, there is a valid argument for the opposing side when it comes to the safety of our country. The United States has seen the most mass shootings in the past few decades than any other country. This is a huge problem because most American citizens can easily obtain a firearm. Granted, there are precautions set into place so that it is more difficult to get an automatic weapon than a semi-automatic weapon. The dangerousness of these guns vary, although, they are both hazardous to society if used improperly. A semi-automatic gun can only fire one bullet per trigger squeeze whereas a fully automatic weapon rapidly shoots bullets until the shooter releases the trigger. There are many regulations set into place to prevent just anyone from being able to obtain a fully automatic gun. It requires an extensive background check and it can be quite expensive to own a gun of this caliber. Several states have even banned the private ownership of automatic weapons. However, there is a way to make a semi-automatic weapon just as deadly as an automatic. A device called a “bump stock” was created and it attaches the the weapon, allowing it to fire at a rate that is comparable to an automatic. The Las Vegas shooter had one of these in his hotel room, which has provided even more controversy. Nevertheless, the question still stands that even if more gun regulations and limitations were set into place, would the people who go on mass shootings follow the proper protocol?
|
|
|
Post by Kingerski on Oct 8, 2017 21:17:12 GMT
@croll I really like how you provided insight as to how easy it is to obtain a gun. Also, the fact about gun shows proves a good point. Your question is thought provoking because it seems like the simple solution is to place more limitations on gun rights, but that won't stop the people who shouldn't have them from getting them. There are laws set into place and people will still break them.
@kamerer Your post is intriguing because of how you mention the bump stock. This shocks me that it is so easy to make an already dangerous weapon into something that can cause such tragedy. If there are regulations placed onto automatic weapons, then it should be harder to access a bump stock. I do agree that restrictions could potentially help the crisis at hand, but it's like what Logan pointed out. Laws can be made but that doesn't mean that someone won't break them.
|
|
|
Post by McHattie on Oct 8, 2017 22:51:58 GMT
Some say the debate of gun control started all the way back when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated because it “increased public awareness to the relative lack of control over the sale and possession of firearms in America.” Recent tragedies at Las Vegas has brought the topic of gun control back onto the table. Throughout the years multiple gun control laws have been put in place, however these laws have not stopped gun violence. Some may say that it is not the guns that kill people, it is the people who kill people, but it is obvious that guns are the problem. There has been 1,516 mass shooting in the past 1,735 days. These shootings included 1,719 deaths and 6,510 injured. This is an insane amount of deaths and injuries in the period of 4 years. These numbers will only grow larger and larger if gun control is not reinforced. Buying a firearm is not difficult especially if you purchase them from gun shows. Background checks are not required when purchasing here, this means anyone can buy a gun no questions asked. The lack of background checks will be a potential threat to our safety. Making it harder to obtain guns should help lower the amount of shootings. According to a March 10, 2016 Lancet Study, “Implementing federal universal background checks could reduce firearm deaths by a projected 56.9%; background checks for ammunition purchases could reduce deaths by a projected 80.7%: and gun identification requirements could reduce deaths by a projected 82.5%.” The banishment of high capacity magazines could also prevent gun violence. ProCon.org states, “A Mother Jones investigation found that high- capacity magazines were used in at least 50% of the 62 mass shootings between 1982 and 2012. When high-capacity magazines were used in mass shootings, the death rate rose 63% and the injury rate rose 156%.” These mags “turns a killer into killing machines” said by David H Chipman, Senior Vice President of Public Safety for ShotSpotter and former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agent. Gun violence is inevitable because there will always be evil in the world, but enacting more gun control laws will significantly lower the amount we have today.
|
|
|
Post by McHattie on Oct 8, 2017 23:25:16 GMT
@sarver I agree with your post 100%. I like how you included that even a person with the cleanest record could cause huge tragedies. It reminds me of the recent Las Vegas shooting because the shooter,Stephen Paddock, seemed to have zero motive for committing the crime according to his friends and family. They were all shocked when the event occurred.
@kingerski Your point about being able to turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic by using a bump stock was very interesting. After further reading I found that because they aren't technically a firearm anyone can buy them, and this BLOWS my mind. Some people consider it as a "toy" or "novelty". This also blows my mind because they don't realize that anyone could use a bump stock to turn a gun that is already dangerous into a gun that is even more dangerous.
|
|