Gun Control: Political Lens
"Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad," remarked President Obama, pausing to wipe away tears in his emotional gun control speech on January 5 (Bradner). He was alluding to the children and adults killed in the mass shootings at several locations during his presidency, such as but not limited to San Bernardino, Colorado Springs, Rosenberg, and Newtown. In this speech, Obama called for an expanse of background checks for anyone purchasing a gun, this could eliminate the gun show loop hole (Bradner). With only a year left in office, this is Obama's last chance to impose any gun control laws. While moderate gun control could decrease gun violence in the United States, it is unlikely that any permanent
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In 2013, after the Newton shooting, the Senate failed to pass measures to expand gun control. In a Gallup poll shortly after, people were asked why they supported that decision. 40% of the people said it violated the Second Amendment and 20% said that it would not stop criminals from getting guns (Guns). The government taking away people's guns is a fear of many citizens. Obama has said many times that he supports the Second Amendment right to bear arms. In speech on January 5, he compared gun control to a measure to lock your phone or keep children from opening aspirin bottles (Bradner). What he means by this, is anyone who wants a gun can still get one, it only protects society from those people who are dangerous and should not possess a gun for the safety of others. The other major argument is that criminals will still get guns and these laws will only take away guns from law abiding citizens. While it may be true that criminals can still get guns, it will make it harder for people who want to inflict harm to obtain them. As Obama said "We know we can't stop every act of violence, every act of evil in the world. But maybe we could try to stop one act of evil, one act of violence"