C.E.J#1

Emily

1/31/13

Guns and Gun Control

New York Times staff report

Staff Report
The New York Times
January 31,2013
Times Topics
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/g/gun_control/index.html


    After the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown Connecticut there has been an ongoing debate discussing gun control.  At the beginning of the new year Obama called on Congress “to toughen America's gun laws.”   Obama wanted to discuss  mass shootings and everyday gun violence.  Obama proposed a ban again on assault weapons he also wants to put limits on high capacity magazines and expand background checks for gun purchasing as well as crack down on the spread of guns across America.  National Rifle Association has begun to play a huge role in this debate.  The N.R.A released a statement a few days after the shooting and I quote  “The N.R.A. is prepared to offer meaningful contributions to make sure this never happens again.”  The N.R.A has suggested to protect children in schools by using armed guards to protect them from violence.  They Believe cracking down on criminals and fighting violence in the media would be most affected.  According to polling data released in December by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, the public's take on gun control has only changed slightly  “Currently, 49 percent say it is more important to control gun ownership, while 42 percent say it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns,” the center said.  As for the democrats only 22% say they have a gun in their home while  the republicans have a whopping 50% according to the General Social Survey in 2010.   There hasn’t been any recent expansion of gun control  rights at the federal level but Obama is determined to change that.  
    I personally hope that there will soon be a change of heart about gun control.  I think it would be best for our country if there was more background checks for gun users and infract maybe get rid of guns altogether.  Of course that would only work in a perfect world.   We still need to abided by the second amendment.  I do believe if people start cracking down on gun control there will be less homicides in the future.  After the Sandy Hook shooting I think America can't afford to take any more chances.    I  definitely think that the N.R.A is no help at all.  Who on  earth would feel comfortable  sending their kids to school with guards that are armed.   Of course parents would be sending their kids to protected schools but I wouldn't like living  in that kind of environment at all.  I just hope that Congress comes up with a law that would benefit both sides of the argument.