In the past there have been attempts to enforce gun control but nothing significant has come of it. Persistence pays off, as changes in the future may come about. The second amendment must be altered or abolished to be suitable in today’s current and future society. For changes to come about, it will be very difficult due to contrasting views in Democratic and Republican parties.

From 1973-1993, gun related crimes rose 62%

Gun was used 65% during a homicide

In 1997 homicide rates…

United States-22 of 100,000

Canada-3 of 100,000

Handgun crime rate…

United States-3.14 of 100,000

Japan-.038 of 100,00 (Japan has one of the strictest gun control policies in the world)

United States vs. Miller(1939)

“…The Court upheld a federal law banning possession of sawed-off shotguns. The right to arms granted by the second amendment, the court stated, is limited to weapons that bear a ‘reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia’. Possession of a sawed-off shotgun, which has no appreciable military use, could thus be banned” (Gun Control-94)

This court case help gun advocates to argue that hand guns are not necessary to a militia.

First actions taken against the second amendment, which sent future precedents and opened the doors to future activists.

Requires anyone with a weapon small enough to be concealed to have the weapon registered.

1934: Regulated the buying and selling of machine guns

1938: Required licensing of gun dealers

Prohibits interstate firearm transfers if not a licensed manufacturer, dealer or importer.

Crime Control Act (1990)

-Illegal to posses firearm on school property

Brady Bill (1994)

-Required 5 day waiting period while background check was conducted on buyer. (later ruled unconstitutional which led to “on the spot” checks when buying a firearm)

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

- Prohibited the use of semiautomatic weapons

Trigger locks were made mandatory on all new guns in 1999

Columbine Highschool-2 teenagers killed 12 students and themselves, a teacher and injuring 23.-8 school shootings followed which made national news up until October of 2006.

Virginia Tech had the largest U.S. massacre with the killer killing 32 people.

*******On April 27, 2008, just two days ago their were 18 shootings in Philadelphia*******

2008 Presidential Candidates Stances on Gun Control

Senator John McCain:

“Believes that the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, individual Constitutional right that we have a sacred duty to protect. We have a responsibility to ensure that criminals who violate the law are prosecuted to the fullest, rather than restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens. Gun control is a proven failure in fighting crime. Law abiding citizens should not be asked to give up their rights because of criminals - criminals who ignore gun control laws anyway” (“On The Issues).

Senator Barack Obama…believes in regulating gun safety but will not give a clear answer when he is asked about what he wants to do to regulate firearm crimes. He is scared that his stance would have to large of an impact and sway voters whom are on the fence about who to vote for in the Presidential election. He does want to give more powers to state and local governments with gun control.

Senator Hillary Clinton…believes in a “Get weapons off the streets; zero tolerance for weapons policy” (“On the Issues”).

“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.”

THE END