Edward Zeauskas

Gun Control in America

The 2nd amendment states that we the people have a right to bear arms, but in what manner was this intended? Thomas Jefferson, who was one of the founding fathers, wanted the right to bear arms to stop the government from taking full control of the American people or incase the armies of the English decided to one day  resurrect their power. This concept of one having the right to bear arms was later enforced by Lincoln’s first inaugural in which he stated that the people have a constitutional right to rise up against the establishment and overthrow it as a last resort, a necessity if you will. I highly doubt that either of these important figures in history ever intended an America like we see today.
The abuse of guns within our society is complete outrageous and has not once been used for the betterment of the average American. When a person, a mother can walk down the street and get shot for refusing a cigarette to another individual lines have definitely been crossed. The first reason for stricter gun control is the concept of cowardice. If one wishes to kill another and has the audacity not to stare them in the face as they die than that killer is nothing more than a scared child. Gangs rampage through our streets yet do so in large groups and behind the shield of guns, why do you think this is? The common sense conclusion is fear.  If it takes a group of people to beat up one or two people, if it takes a ranged weapon that really requires no skill to take someone’s life, that that shows true cowardice. These people are afraid of losing, losing what little they have, afraid of losing those that they love, afraid of death. Can we really put such dangerous tools, tools that by the way were created for our protection as a united society, and place them in the hands of the fearful and the ignorant?
The second reason for gun control is the because of the greedy and the selfish. The idea of gang members was mentioned in the previous paragraph, and indeed these people are rather selfish but there are others as well.  These people are selfish because they do it for external “rewards”. America has shown the worst the world has to offer. Individuals have killed for money, for religion, there are the so called crimes of “passion”, people have killed their children out of spite for their spouse, and let us never forget there are those who kill just because it is fun. Let us not forget those who use guns as a way to get what we want. In our memories we will always know of columbine, Virginia tech, and ever other school that has fell victim to the vicious misuse of guns and the wanton lack of control over these instruments. Should is be so easy for those people who have been described to access such a device that it could harm countless people? Is it morally right to stand idly by while children take weapons to school, while elderly women get robbed at gun point, while teenagers and “men” kill each other in the streets, taking those who could be considered innocent out with them?
The American people created this society and only the American people can change our society. Through just these few paragraphs one can see why stricter gun laws are not only a necessity of safety but a moral action. A moral action is any action taken in order to stop or prevent the pain and suffering of another. The average American is tired, is weary of the manner in which our society acts. Together we can make a difference, together we can build an America people are really proud of, but first we need to take care of ourselves and work through these issues so that bigger steps can be taken.
-Take a stance on Gun patrols, and let the local governments know that there needs to be more regulations and more control over guns, and demand that they be removed from the streets, our streets.