Gun Restrictions

"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." (Doc 1) The 2nd Amendment to the United States Constitution states that everyone in the United States has the right to possess weapons. It is no secret that this right has at times brought great terror and violence to our country. Because of these acts of violence, restrictions have been placed on who can have a gun or not. The restrictions on weapons should remain and even more should be placed because the 2nd Amendment is outdated, more restrictions will lower US death rate, and more restrictions can bring money to other more beneficial things. If the United States had no restriction on who could purchase and have guns everyone from child to criminal to the mentally impaired would be able to have and use whatever weapon they desire.

The 2nd Amendment was created by our founding fathers in 1791, only four years after the Constitution was written. The amendment was meant to allow United States citizens the opportunity to change the government. This is touched on by the part that says, "A well regulated Militia, Being necessary to the security of a free state..." (Doc 1) The newly formed Union was probably still scared that their freedom might be tested again. They had lived for years under a monarch and they felt that there was a chance their future generations freedom would be tested by a similar ruler. Therefore, they created an amendment that would ensure the people of the United States freedom and liberty. Also the United States at this point is still a very wild land. In the early 1800s there was still herds of wild animals around and people needed guns for protection. More recently there are not many wild animals around; hence everyone doesn't need guns. Because of these two reasons the 2nd Amendment has become rather outdated and it is not as reliable as it used to be.

In 2011 there were 12,664 murders in the whole United States; 8,538 of these were committed using a firearm. (Doc 2) If it was harder for a person to acquire a gun the death rate will drop. Although it is still possible to be killed by other means, guns are the easiest and fastest way to kill a person. Stabbing, Cutting, and beating people to death takes more strength and effort and there is a greater chance the victim will survive. If there were no restrictions on guns, people would be able to purchase and use all kinds of guns and other weapons. Gun violence would greatly increase because more people could access assault weapons and other dangerous weapons that have the potential to kill people faster. In the Newtown shooting 26 people were murdered by one man in less than half an hour. This shows that if everyone had access to assault weapons thousands of people could die in an hour. Firearms seem to be purchased in abundance in cities for fear of this type of violence.