Ahern � PAGE �5�
Michael Ahern
Professor Castleman
ENG 102, Essay 2
31 October 2014
Gun Control in America: The Problem Lies in Enforcement
In the past generation, gun violence in the U.S. has produced a high volume of citizen casualties, prompting the need for a reassessment of gun control. Finding a solution has been no easy task. With the constant development of new firearms, such as assault rifles, semi-automatic handguns and machine guns, the need to change or introduce new laws, has been debated in the public forum. Our current system is effective, but only when our laws and methods are properly enforced. In January 2013, President Barack Obama outlined a plan that, "included 4 major legislative proposals and 23 executive actions that he initiated on his own authority to bolster enforcement of existing laws, improve the nation's database used for background checks and otherwise make it harder for criminals and people with mental illness to get guns"(Baker).
However, to help curb gun violence and crime in the US, authorities instead should focus on enforcing existing federal and state laws instead of pushing for new legislation.
December 15, 1791 is one of the most historical dates in the United States of America. This day marks the adoption of the U.S. Bill of Rights. Included in that Bill of Rights was the second amendment, which states "being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed". Although firearms seem to be guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, some believe the interpretation of the second amendment is very different than that of popular belief. While most believe that the second amendment grants the right to firearms, some believe the right is reserved for the sole purpose of a...