GUN CONTROL

MY THOUGHTS:     NRA, GUNS, & 2ND AMENDMENT

NRA and guns in schools:

The National Rifle Association is protecting what they feel is their right to have fire arms, regardless of the impact to the nation as a whole.  They are outspoken about their thoughts and ideas no matter how outrageous it may sound.  Wayne LaPierre of the NRA, said Congress should put armed law enforcement agents in every American school, insisting that guns in schools -- not tougher gun laws -- would most effectively protect children from school shootings.  LaPierre stated that, "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."   This is not what I would want someone leading a group of gun owners to promote.

Background checks—do you support?

According to The National Instant Criminal Background Check system, 2.78 million checks were processed in December 2012, and 2.48 million were processed in January 2013 in the United States.

·         Saving lives is worth the red-tape of background checks.

It's harder to get a job at McDonald's than it is to access or purchase a gun. The American people would be willing to put up with a little more red tape if it stops some of the yellow crime-scene tape.

·         Background checks do not prevent good citizens from buying and owning guns.

 Therefore, there are few reasons why upstanding citizens should be concerned about gun purchase background checks.  There could possibly be an increase in cost and wait time due to the increase number of applicants and administrative processing.

How can Technology help communities be aware of actions of the Gun industry targeting youth?

Social media can be a huge contributing factor to help the community become aware of what the gun industry is doing to target youth.  There is a youth journal called “Junior Shooters” that encourages youth between the ages of 8-17 to practice more shooting. The journal’s intention is to help introduce wary youngsters to guns slowly, perhaps through paintball, archery, or some other less intimidating activity. This journal was identified on social media by concerned parents and then was shut down by their protest.  The journal focused on “recruiting and retention” for future gun owners.  The parents protest was a clear example of how technology and social media can impact the gun industry.

2^ND AMENDMENT SAY/DOES IT APPLY TODAY

The 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads:

 "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."

The 2nd Amendment states generally that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed--that means by anyone, or any level of government (city, municipal, county, state or federal).

First, the Constitution doesn’t grant anyone rights, rather it lists what our natural rights are. Our rights are not given to us by government, but they are supposed to be protected by government.

 Secondly, it is a disservice to say the Second Amendment is just about “gun rights.” While the Second Amendment does protect our right to bear arms, it gets at a very basic and fundamental right which is self-defense.   Thirdly, the Second Amendment is not about hunting. The Second Amendment is about defending yourself against criminals of any kind, whether that be a criminal who tries to mug you or a government system that is out of control and tyrannical.