Through the first 328 days of 2015, there have been 352 registered mass-shootings in America (Business Insider). While this is both an extremely alarming, and surprising statistic, it should similarly come as no surprise that not nearly enough is being done to curb the senseless act of violence, and the looming possibility of gun violence being present in all Americans' lives, whether they like it or not. I think it's about time that people begin to reject the ludicrous notion that a nation with a more readily available source of firearms is a safer one. This isn't 1776, we aren't in danger of the government taking up arms against us, and jo Americans are advocating for the rights of their local militia. As many of you know, this was the initial purpose of the 2nd Amendment as laid out by the Framers. The way I see it, America is a sick nation, and we need to cure our people from being targeted and murdered like video game characters. No more sitting on the sidelines, politicians. America needs gun reform -- it's a fact, not a debate.
We have enough problems with Americans taking up arms against other Americans, but now the threat of ISIS on American soil is becoming an imminent one. They have vowed to spill American blood, and it now appears as though the attackers responsible for the San Bernandino killings had ties to the terror group (New York Times).
Are we safe in America? What is the next step, for both the people, and policymakers? If ISIS is spilling American blood on our soil, why aren't we retaliating? Isn't America supposed to be the kind of nation that doesn't negotiate with terrorists, and fears no one?
http://www.businessinsider.com/2015-mass-shootings-chart-2015-12
http://www.nytimes.com/glogin?mobile=1&URI=http%3A%2F%2Fmobile.nytimes.com%2Fredirect%3Fto-mobile%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nytimes.com%252F2015%252F12%252F04%252Fopinion%252Fdont-make-san-bernardino-a-victory-for-isis.html%253F_r%253D0%2526referer%253Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F%26_r%3D0
4 comments:
The simple answer is no, America is in a dangerous state and anyone who cannot see that needs to wake up. The fact that there have been more shootings in the world this year than days is one of the most disturbing statistics I have ever heard. The scariest part of this problem is that I don't believe any legislation can be put into place that will really have an impact. Stop the syrian refugees? Isis is already here, and has been here. Enact stricter gun control measures? Important yes, but not only is the bigger issue mental health, if someone wants to get their hands on a gun in this country there are far too many outlets where it can be done illegally. With the recent attacks in San Bernadino and Paris it's clear that the main focus right now should be Isis and how we will deal with them. I think our biggest problem is we are coming off as weak. Russia is doing the majority of heavy lifting against isis whereas our government seems to show reluctance to get involved and really acknowledge the threat. At this point it's only a matter of time before something on the scale of the paris attacks, I just pray that time doesn't come.
I agree with Stephen and Steve Irwin that because of the lack of gun control laws, America has become less safe. Stephen brings up a good point that the framers of the Constitution did not intend for the 2nd amendment to allow the shootings it does today. Back then, it was important for citizens to have protection for themselves in case of war or threats like the Native Americans. I think the solution is fairly obvious; if there are constant shootings in our nation, the solution is to increase gun control. We have done very little for this so far, and as a result there continue to be murders. After the recent events with ISIS, this issue has escalated even further. They have threatened America and have acted in other nations. We have even learned that the San Bernandino attacks may be linked to ISIS. Although I don't know if retaliation is the best option at this point, we definitely need to focus on not allowing guns to be easily accessed. It would be bad enough if we let ISIS into our nation; it would be much worse if they have access to guns. America can not just sit back and wait for something tragic to happen. We have already experienced more mass-shootings than days this year, so I'm not sure what our government is waiting for. It's unfortunate that in today's society we have to live with the fear that another human would use a gun for mass-murder rather than protection, but it has come to that. Especially with our minimal knowledge on what ISIS is doing, we must be safe and smart with increased gun control.
Yes, gun control is a definite issue in the United States, and yes, it is way to easy for the mentally ill and radicals to get their hands on guns these days. The Second Amendment as it is written today has become obsolete and it just about time that a clause including mandatory background checks for those who wish to purchase a firearm or two. The only problem, though, is the fact that in shootings like the one just the other day, the shooters don't come in with a 5-shell shotgun, they use more hardcore hardware. In the shooting last week, the perpetrators shot up a christmas party at their office with military grade fully automatic M4 assault rifles. You don't get a piece like that from your local Dick's Sporting Goods store, you get it from the black market. The black market doesn't run background checks for anyone, in fact, a 12 kid could buy a gun if he has the money. So sure, play around with the wording of the second amendment, we can at least stop a few schizophrenics from getting their hands on a hunting rifle. What the government really needs to due is start cracking down harder on gun smuggling in the US. Even so, the government will never be able to stop those who really want a gun from getting one. They continue to try cracking down on cartels running weed and cocaine into our country, yet the US has plenty stoners and coke-heads. The best we can hope for is to decrease the number of attacks such as last week's shooting by putting more of our nation's resources into reducing black market gun sales.
I completely agree with Stephen's arguments, and I think it's about time someone came out and stated the facts. We are not safe in our own borders, and that's the sad truth. There are too little regulations put on the ownership of firearms for anyone to feel truly safe. I think Stephen made a great point in saying that times are different; we are not at risk of the government forcing the militia to retaliate, so that poses the argument did the writers of the constitution intend for it to pan out this way? It's too messy to heavily restrict gun laws without stepping on the rights of the people, but i do not believe that it was the intention of the founding fathers for the common people to own firearms without reason. Guns are too easily accessible and our nation has become a hub for unnecessary violence as a result.
I also agree with what Steve Irwin said, in that there is not much more that legislation can be doing to fix this issue, which is truly terrifying. There is not much that our government can change without violating the rights of the people and enraging the public. Such a large portion of our nation believes in the citizens right to bare arms, so with the implication of more regulations, there is bound to be public resistance and protest. It is messy and some think it would cause more harm than good.
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