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Essay: Second Amendment Assignment
Sheree G. Cooper
Liberty University
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Introduction
In the United States, gun policy remains one of the most debated and polarizing issues in
modern day politics. Even though there is widespread agreement on certain aspects of gun
regulation, there are still widespread divides between Republicans and Democrats, otherwise
known as the anti-gun coalition and pro Second Amendment supporters. Beyond the
disagreement about how gun policy should be carried out, there is also disagreement about the
cause of gun violence and how that should be addressed. As a result, meaningful progress
towards comprehensive gun policy reform has been non-existent because the partisan divide has
hindered the creation and implementation process. In this paper, we will explore the perspectives
of the "anti-gun" coalition and "pro-Second Amendment" supporters, discover the history of gun
policy and reform in the United States, analyze the challenges of current gun policy, and identify
opportunities for changes to gun policy while also providing scriptural evidence to analyze the
concept of gun reform.
Summary
The conflict between the anti-gun coalition and pro-Second Amendment supporters
centers around the conflicting views on the regulation of firearms in the United States. Pro-
Second Amendment advocates emphasize the constitutional right to bear arms as a fundamental
aspect of individual freedom and self-defense. They argue against large scale government
regulation because it provides an avenue for infringing upon Second Amendment rights, and they
also believe that responsible gun ownership is a defense against government corruption and
crime (Zick, 2020). On the other hand, the anti-gun coalition advocates for stricter gun control
measures to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety. They argue the need for universal
background checks, restrictions to prevent access to military style weapons, and systems to
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prevent gun trafficking and mass shootings (Dixon et al., 2020). This divide between the two
groups is created by their differing beliefs about the role of guns in society.
The history of gun policy and reform in the United States is complex because of the
attempt to balance the relationship of differing constitutional interpretations, cultural attitudes,
public opinion and political dynamics. The Second Amendment in the U.S. Constitution which
was ratified in 1791 is our first piece of legislation on the topic, and it promises the right of
citizens to keep and bear arms. This has been a fundamental element in debates over gun policy.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, gun regulation was primarily handled by state and local
jurisdictions with laws focusing on restricting certain categories of individuals from gun
ownership like convicted felons and the mentally ill (Laschever & Meyer, 2021), and during the
mid 20th century, there was a gradual expansion of federal gun regulations specifically in
response to high-profile incidents of gun violence. The National Firearms Act of 1934 created
restrictions on certain types of firearms like machine guns and sawed-off shotguns (Madeira,
2021) while the Gun Control Act of 1968 created federal licensing requirements for gun dealers
and prohibited certain categories of individuals from purchasing firearms. Those categories of
people were convicted felons and individuals with mental health disorders (Laschever & Meyer,
2021). In the late 20th and early 21st century, during a time of increased mass shootings and
rising concerns about gun violence, the debate over gun policy only intensified. Efforts to
implement comprehensive gun reform like the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993
faced opposition from groups, like the NRA, and lawmakers who argued that such laws infringed
on Second Amendment rights (Madeira, 2021). The ongoing challenge of balancing Second
Amendment rights with public safety showcases the need for thoughtful and evidence-based
policy to address the challenges of gun violence in the United States.
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Critique
Gun policy in the United States is a complex issue that is riddled with difficulties. With
the many challenges that are faced in the process of creating and implementing effective policies,
many critiques can be raised about the whole process. One critique of gun reform efforts is the
lack of meaningful legislative action at the federal level. With the different states having
different legislation regarding the acquisition and requirements of gun ownership, it makes it
complicated for people to know their rights in different parts of the country, and it creates a legal
disconnect between the states. Another critique of gun legislation is the influence of special
interest groups like the National Rifle Association. These groups use campaign donations in
exchange for lobbying power which impacts the outcome of legislation. These groups are
prioritizing profit and power over public safety, and legislators who are entrusted with the lives
and welfare of the people are allowing it to happen. It is a direct conflict of interest and a issue in
the system.
Personal Response
Even with all the challenges associated with gun form, there are still a plethora of
different federal legislative changes that should be made to improve public safety. The first of
such changes would be the implementation of universal background checks. Implementing
universal background checks for all gun and firearm purchases would help to ensure that
individuals with violent criminal records and mental health issues are unable to obtain guns.
Universal background checks should be done in all gun sales, even private sales, transfers, and at
gun shows. The goal of this is to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands, and citizens
who may be in opposition should not be worried because this would not infringe on the rights of
law-abiding individuals.
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Another such change would be to restrict access and encourage gun manufacturers to
reduce the size of magazines. The acts of encouragement can be done by giving subsidies and
other business incentives to gun manufacturers, and failure to adhere to the restriction can lead to
fines. By implementing this change, it would reduce the damage caused by mass shootings and
increase the number of times that these perpetrators would have to reload, which would increase
the time that people would be able to escape and for law-enforcement agencies to be able to
intervene (Crifasi et al., 2021). These restrictions would not be applicable to the military or law-
enforcement agencies, who have to act in raids or combat zones where they need large capacity
magazines.
The third change that should be made is putting back in place the federal ban on the sale
and possession of military-style assault weapons to civilians which expired in 2004. This bill was
put into place in 1994, and there was a decline in shooting incidents in the following decade
(Quinn, 2022). Since the lifting of this ban, these types of weapons have been used in numerous
mass shootings which shows how they are a significant threat to public safety. Policymakers can
prevent future tragedies and protect communities by banning these weapons.
The fourth change that should be made is the creation of red flag laws. Red flag laws
enable family members, law enforcement, or other authorities to petition the courts to intervene
when individuals are showing dangerous behavior and/ or demonstrating signs of mental illness.
These signs can be anything from threats of violence, attempted acts of suicide, or recent assult
on an individual (Gay, 2020). The intervention is the temporary removal of firearms from
individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others. This can alleviate many forms of violence
including domestic and child abuse (Kumar, 2023). This legislation would be an complicated
feat to implement, but it is a critical step for preventing gun violence and suicide.
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In addition to the creation of red flag laws, there should be legislation that would allocate
funds for gun violence prevention programs. This fund would allow organizations and
government agencies to apply for grants to fund gun and violence prevention programs. It is
important to understand that in order to properly and effectively work against gun violence, it is
imperative to look at its root causes. When these causes are identified, a solution needs to be
created, and allocating funds for programs like youth mentoring, mental health treatment, and
counseling services, policymakers can help alleviate and eliminate some of the underlying
factors that contribute to gun violence. These types of programs require a lot of planning and
funding; however, on local scales, they have been proven to work and reduce the amount of gun
violence in communities (Sanchez et al., 2020). If this system can be duplicated on a larger and
federal scale, it can create a larger impact.
The sixth change that needs to be made is the implementation of mandatory licensing and
registration for gun owners. Gun licensing would require individuals to complete safety training
courses, pass background checks, and obtain a license to own firearms (Crifasi et al., 2021). This
process may be opposed by some, but it is similar to requirements for obtaining a driver's
license. This process of licensing and registration would enable law enforcement to trace guns
used in crimes back to the perpetrator or the original owners who did not report their lost or
stolen gun. This would be helpful as it would help in the solving of police cases, and it will
create another level of liability for gun owners which should prompt more awareness of how
they keep their weapons.
The seventh necessary change to legislation is creation of a standard for the minimum age
requirement for purchasing firearms. This is crucial because, in numerous states, individuals as
young as 15 or 16 can buy guns independently. This warrants scrutiny since if these individuals
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lack the legal privileges given to adults, such as voting or joining the military, it leads to the
question of why they can obtain firearms as minors (Valek et al., 2023). Additionally, it raises
legal questions regarding accountability if they were to engage in criminal activities with their
firearms. In situations involving alcohol consumption, parents are held responsible for their
child's actions (Morain & Crifasi, 2019). Would a similar principle apply to firearm possession?
To address this concern, implementing a federal standard for gun purchases is crucial.
All of the above changes are things that need to be implemented for the good and public
safety of all people, but it is difficult to get the two opposing parties to agree on legislation.
Although it is difficult, it is something that must be done for the betterment of the people that put
them in power. Policy makers need to keep in mind that they are not only people of power, but
they are stewards to and over the people that elected them to such power. They need to keep in
mind the scripture Proverbs 29:2 "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but
when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (King James Bible, 2022). This verse
highlights the impact that leaders have on the well-being and happiness of society. It suggests
that the government should be righteous and ethical in its behavior because it leads to a
prosperous, happy, and safe people. On the other hand, a corrupt government leads to sorrow,
distress, and uncertainty. This shows that policy makers should not look at the gains they get
personally, but they should put the people in the forefront of their mind and use them as
motivations for their actions. If policy makers did this, there would not be as much discourse
regarding the topic of gun reform, and concrete legislation would be put in place in order to
ensure the safety of people.
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Conclusion
Addressing the complex issue of gun reform policy in the United States requires a
complex approach for solutions. Policy makers have to balance protecting Second Amendment
rights while also promoting public safety, and being able to create and maintain effective change
in gun policy will require bipartisan cooperation, engagement from the public, and a true
commitment to addressing the root causes of gun violence. Ultimately, it is possible to bring
some unity between the anti-gun coalition and the Second Amendment supporters; however,
only through maintained effort and collaboration can we make a safer and more secure society
for generations to come.
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Bibliography
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Dixon, G., Garrett, K., Susmann, M., & Bushman, B. J. (2020). Public opinion
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King James Version Bible. (2022). King James Bible Online. Retrieved February 18,
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Kumar, N. (2023). The Second Amendment Battle: Domestic Abuse Case Poses Threat
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Laschever, E., & Meyer, D. S. (2021). Growth and decline of opposing movements: Gun
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Morain, S. R., & Crifasi, C. K. (2019). Time to pull the trigger? Examining the ethical
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Quinn, G. (2022). Evolution and Electoral Implications of Congressional Gun Control
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