By now, we have all
heard about the shooting that happened a week ago at Navy Yard, in Washington
D.C., just off the Navy Yard metro stop and right near the ball park of the
Washington Nationals. This article by CNN uncovers more about the gunman, Aaron
Alexis, and his odd behaviors that he has had leading up to the shooting. There
were many signs to show that Alexis was not capable of being responsible with a
firearm, especially when he was arrested back in 2004 for shooting out the
tires of a car. He also had anger management issues which were clearly
documented. Yet in all of this, with the navy knowing full well about all it
all, they still ended up granting him security clearances. As a citizen of the
United States of America, it makes me feel highly uneasy that somebody in the
military could potentially turn on their own country and start shooting at
their own men. This is one of the many reasons why the constitution needs to be
changed. Now I want to be clear in that I am not saying I want to rid the constitution,
but what I am saying is that we need to change the constitution. The 2nd
amendment states, "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the
security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall
not be infringed." Though I recognize that the people have a right to bear
arms, at what cost is it at? When the lives of people are on the line, we need
to put things in perspective and take another look at policy; in this
situation, we need to take another look at the constitution. Again, I am not
saying that we should rid the 2nd amendment all together, but we should
regulate it so that there is a better chance of deadly weapons not ending up in
the wrong hands. I suggest that the process for obtaining a gun should be similar
to the process of obtaining a driver’s license. First, you must pass a written
test, followed by a test to make sure you can properly use a gun. Next, there
would be an extensive background check, and if there is any reasonable doubt
that one may use the gun for something other than recreational purposes, then
they will be denied a license. If they pass the background test, then they will
be given a gun license in which they can then use that license to buy a gun.
Nobody without a proper license would be allowed to buy a gun. Lastly, once
they buy a gun they would have to register it every few years. That plan would
sure help the economy and create jobs! All in all, the constitution, in
particular the 2nd amendment, needs to be looked at and altered to fit the
needs of this time era.
I agree that are constitution should be change to this time era, because the world we live in is changing everyday and we should be a free state people are killing each other for no reason now in days and we should be able to protect ourselves at all time more deaths are happening at the hour and the government can't protect everybody us people should be able to some type of testing system to be able to have right to bear arms so I agree we should change the constitution. These killings are making the united states seem that we don't have any control and by coming to together and make arrangements about the 2nd amendment and constitution to change I think it would help the United States more.
ReplyDeleteAre you aware of the current regulations regarding gun purchasing? While I understand your reasoning and concern as a citizen, I feel the need to remind you that criminals do not follow the law. Tightening the restrictions on gun purchasing and ownership will only affect the good law-abiding citizens. Compare this current issue with the war on drugs. Just because drugs are illegal does not mean that they are hard to find. So, when someone with the intent to harm others wants a firearm, they will still find a way to acquire that firearm, despite the restrictions or proposed license requirements. The tragic Sandy Hook shooting is an example. Although Lanza did not own a firearm himself, he was still able to take his mother's guns which were properly registered. The sad fact is that those who want to do harm will find a way to access whatever they need to do so. The issue surrounding the Navy yard shooting is that the Navy should not have contracted someone with previous arrests involving a firearm. The regulations on who can contract in any branch of the military should therefore be tightened, and involve much more extensive background checks.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the issue is within the constitution. The issue is with the people who are able to get ahold of guns. Like Meredith said just because drugs are illegal does not mean people stop doing them. If the US government ever made it illegal to own a firearm it would not stop the wrong people from getting them. It would probably make them want them more just like drugs. Changing the constitution is not going to help the gun control it will more likely make it worse. Guns don't kill people. People kill people.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." People wouldn't be able to kill if they didn't have the tools to do so.
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