America 2

America – Defenseless Essay, Research Paper

Seeing the glass half full, our forefathers saw the good in man. In their eyes all men are created equal and are inherently good. The Second Amendment states: 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. Generating over 22,000 laws regulating firearms, gun control advocates see the glass as half empty. This pessimistic attitude causes them to believe that man cannot behave responsibly and therefore needs to be protected for his own good. With ridiculous bans on assault weapons, harmful regulations on handgun purchases, and unnecessary prohibition of concealed weapons, the United States government prevents man from protecting himself, his family, and his property while not deterring criminal action.

On September 13, 1994, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act became law The Crime Bill identifies several asinine attributes that characterize an ?assault weapon.? Bayonet mounts, pistol grips, and folding/telescoping stocks stand among these frivolous qualifications. Doubting it has ever taken place, a bayonet attack has never been reported. As with bayonets, pistol grips have been outlawed from being affixed on rifles, as well. Providing only a firm grasp, these grips do not construct a more lethal firearm. With the possibility of a son or daughter?s bedroom nearby, a homeowner needs a secure grip on his or her firearm. With child safety in mind, rifles with folding stocks keep hidden from curious youngsters.

Along with the assault weapons ban, Congress passed the Brady Bill, along with many states passing laws governing the sale of handguns. Regulations such as background checks and waiting periods bite at the Constitution?s legs from which the United States stands. Beyond unconstitutional, waiting periods, threatening the safety of people in imminent danger, and background checks, failing to disarm the violent criminal population, do not accomplish their jobs they were sought after to do. A woman, inquiring about purchasing a gun for protection from a husband who had repeatedly threatened to kill her, was told there was a 48 hour waiting period to buy a handgun. She and her two sons fell victim the next day by an abusive husband of whom the police knew. While doing remarkably well at keeping guns from law-abiding citizens, the Brady Bill caused only seven prosecutions during the first year and a half of enactment.

Currently, roughly 150,000 police officers remain on duty at any one time to protect a population of more than 250 million Americans ? approximately 1700 citizens per officer. Citizens shoot and kill at least twice as many criminals as police do every year. Only 2% of civilian shootings involve an innocent person mistakenly identified as a criminal. However, the “error rate” for police is 11%. Furthermore, of the 383,400 citizens who have received permits to carry their guns concealed, only 72 people have used their gun to commit a crime. In addition, states passing concealed carry laws reduced their murder rate by 8.5%, rapes by 5%, and aggravated assaults and robbery by 3%. Even with all the proven benefits, the government finds it best for us to be defenseless.

Abolishing self-protection, governmental statutes keep guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens and not the criminals the laws are designed to affect. How can one be expected to defend one?s country when one?s country will not allow him or her to defend his or her own home and family?