John Kelsoe
AGEC 217
AGEC 217 Section 901
Gun Control Research Paper
Submitted: February 8th, 2013
Spring 2013, Menzies
From the founding of America to modern day, guns have always been an integral part of our society. The constitution even grants its citizens the right to bear arms. One might argue that there is no need for such right; while others argue it is a necessity for protection. Given the recent tragic elementary school shooting in Connecticut, to the theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado, these events have further split an already divided nation. Some states are considering passing laws that would limit the types of guns one could buy, while other states are clinging to their guns. The state of Texas, a firm believer in the second amendment, is voting on a bill that would allow concealed handgun license holders to carry a handgun on college campuses. Should they be able to? Substance abuse on college campuses,
Those who advocate this bill do so for two reasons: self-protection.
According to Gene Hoffman, Chairman of the Calguns Foundation, "guns are used in self-defense around 3,000 times a day-usually without firing a shot." Proponents of allowing guns on campus emphasize the correlation between mass shootings and the ban of firearms. A study conducted by Dr. John Lott and William Landes of the Chicago University School of Law, concludes that, "the only policy factor to influence multiple victim public shootings is the passage of concealed handgun laws." Consider the Virginia Tech shooting, where the university has a ban on handguns. Had one of the students been armed, would there have been a different outcome? Advocates say that if this tragedy happened again, an armed student could shoot the gunman and save countless lives. However, according to the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence...