Seemingly, the gun control debate, in the U.S has become a critical social issue. In the past, the debate whether guns should be legalized dominated parliamentary sessions with politicians expressing diverse views over the issue. Human rights agencies and other organized social groups gave their contribution to the issue differently leading to the emergence of two conflicting perceptions on the legalization of guns. Since the emergence of the gun control debate, in 2004 when the 1994 ban on the right to carry concealed guns was enacted, the debate did not attract substantial concern from the U.S citizens; instead, it seemed to be a legal or rather the concern of the politicians and the Judiciary. However, the recent fatal mass shooting in various venues, in the U.S seems to have created an unprecedented public outcry, especially on safety issues. The recent mass shooting at Aurora, Colorado seems to have diverted the perception of the U.S population on the issue, resulting into a widespread call for the legalization of guns to enhance self-defense for the citizens. Owing to the unprecedented resistance to the legalization of guns for public safety, proponents of the debate sought defense in the Second Amendment of the U.S Constitution, which protects the individuals’ rights (Macionis, 2011).
However, the 2012 U.S presidential elections exacerbated the gun control issue, especially after the re-election of President Barack Obama as the president of the United States. President Obama vehemently rejected the legalization of guns to civilians owing to the fatal mass shooting, in which scores lost their lives while others sustained fatal injuries. It is as a result of the Obama’s Administration approach to oppose the legalization of guns that some legislators and human rights agencies have file numerous petitions at the U.S Supreme Court seeking to protect the Second Amendment in the U.S Constitution because; it addresses the issue of the individuals’ rights to own guns.
Therefore, this research will provide an overview on the issue of gun control, especially with regard to the protection of the Second Amendment. It will discuss the provisions of the Second Amendment and the Second Amendment’s Rights Protection Act. Moreover, it will highlight on the reaffirmation of citizen’s right and the victory realized in the protection of the Second Amendment.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Provisions of the Second Amendment
- Right to self-defense
- Security of Free States
- Second Amendment Rights Protection Act
- Reaffirmation of Citizen's Right
- Victory in Protection of the Second Amendment
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research aims to provide an overview of the gun control debate in the United States, specifically focusing on the protection of the Second Amendment. It discusses the provisions of the Second Amendment, the Second Amendment's Rights Protection Act, and the reaffirmation of citizens' right to own guns.
- The Second Amendment and its role in protecting individual rights, particularly the right to self-defense.
- The Second Amendment Rights Protection Act and its provisions for enhancing public safety through background checks and other measures.
- The reaffirmation of citizens' right to possess firearms for self-defense and recreational purposes through court rulings.
- The victories achieved in various states in protecting the Second Amendment and the ongoing legal battles regarding gun rights.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section provides a brief overview of the gun control debate in the U.S., highlighting the recent rise in public concern due to mass shootings and the ongoing debate regarding the legalization of guns for self-defense. It emphasizes the role of the Second Amendment in the debate.
- Provisions of the Second Amendment: This chapter delves into the provisions of the Second Amendment, arguing that it protects individuals' rights to own guns based on historical and religious precedents. It discusses the right to self-defense, which is rooted in religious doctrine and the historical importance of militias for protecting individual rights from governmental tyranny.
- Second Amendment Rights Protection Act: This chapter examines the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act, highlighting its provisions for strengthening background checks for firearm purchases, promoting efficient scrutiny of firearms sales, and establishing a national commission to address mass violence. It emphasizes the Act's focus on balancing public safety and protecting individual rights.
- Reaffirmation of Citizen's Right: This section discusses the Supreme Court's ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller, which reaffirmed the right of citizens to possess firearms for self-defense and recreational purposes. The ruling emphasized the historical importance of homestead protection and the right to self-defense.
- Victory in Protection of the Second Amendment: This section highlights the victories achieved in protecting the Second Amendment in various states, such as the passage of the Second Amendment Protection Act in Kansas. It also discusses the legal wins achieved by organizations like the Second Amendment Foundation in court cases related to gun rights.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary focus of this research is the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, exploring its protection of individual rights, particularly the right to self-defense. It delves into the gun control debate in the U.S. and analyzes the provisions of the Second Amendment Rights Protection Act. Key themes include the relationship between individual rights, public safety, and the historical context of the Second Amendment.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Caroline Mutuku (Autor:in), 2018, Gun Control in the U.S., München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/428841
