March for Our Rights
As
Americans, we hold many documents, rights, and virtues to be true: freedom of
speech, religion, sexual orientation, constitutional right to vote, the list
goes on. But what happens when we take these rights from two centuries ago and
apply them in modern-day America? - we end up with medieval ways of dealing
with modern-day warfare. The problem with today's America and gun rights is
that times, circumstances, and technology has changed, whereas the laws
(rights) set in place are outdated, close-minded, and irrelevant.
A common
argument against gun reform is that if we change the way Americans obtain and
own guns, then we need to look at other constitutional rights and change those
as well. However, this is not a quid pro quo scenario, this is life-or-death.
In the wake of recent school shootings, we are again faced with the standard
monologue of "thoughts and prayers" and "now is not the time to
talk about guns." Unfortunately, there is never a "good time" to
talk about guns, and just when you think politicians would be ready to talk
about it, another shooting occurs. Guns and gun rights are not just an issue
for children and schools, they are issues for communities, families, and
religions - this is a national issue, much like women's rights and same sex marriage.
As we
have seen in the past, it can take decades for laws to be passed, and even
longer for those laws to have a lasting effect. The problem we are facing right
now is that no one is doing a thing about guns. I am not a gun owner myself,
but I fully support those who wish to own one. I simply wish to see a few
mandatory, nation-wide laws put in place:
- National Permit-to-Purchase
- 48-hour waiting period
- Universal background check (no more gun show loopholes)
- National registry
- Fines against privatized selling of firearms
- 6 months educational classes prior to ownership
I firmly
believe that there should be a strong system of checks and balances to prevent
modern-day massacres such as Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, Pulse, Las
Vegas, and now Parkland from occurring. Anti-reformists would argue that some
of these common-sense gun laws infringe on their rights as US citizens, but
what they are forgetting is that our founding fathers created the constitution
over two hundred years ago, before technology had developed and most citizens
could have access to a gun before breakfast at nine. The point is that as a
nation we need to amend our constitution and evolve from the archaic rights of
the 18th century.
Hi Angela,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you when you pointed out "what happens when we take these rights from two centuries ago and apply them in modern-day America?". Since I moved to the States, I have heard many talk about Amendment 2. I find the Amendment 2 is not clear enough to be used as an evidence for not having gun regulations. I write more on my blog about your article (https://myonlinegov2305journal.blogspot.com/2018/04/comment-on-colleagues-work-1-march-for.html). Feel free to read! I like your suggestions about gun ownership.
I like your opinion for this topic.
Hey, Angela!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, your use of logos (logic and reasoning) is SO spot on in this commentary! Obviously, since we have amended the Constitution before, we accept the idea that changing our "rules" is sometimes necessary for an always adapting and changing society. Our nation's circumstances surrounding gun rights has vastly shifted from when the Constitution first considered those rights. I think that legislators that refuse to see this only do so to either remain elected or get more money. I love how you also bring up common anti-gun reform arguments and then counter them with solid logic.
Your suggestions for gun reform are also super reasonable. I too am not someone that owns guns, but I think that people should have the right to. (If I'm being honest, I really don't. I wish we could just get rid of all of the guns, but that's not reasonable, nor is it likely.) So, if people are to continue to own guns, there should certainly be some requirements, rules, and regulations that go along with owning a weapon like that.
I really loved this commentary! When it feels like every other person out there is putting their rights to own a gun over someone's right to be alive, it is absolutely inspiring to know that some are still fighting for gun control.