A
day after the deadly shootings at Umpqua Community College in Oregon, Hillary
Clinton speaks about her views on gun control while directly attacking the
National Rifle Association and the Republicans in Congress supporting it. She
attributes the perpetuation of loose gun control on the N.R.A.’s threats of not
voting for certain politicians if they discontinue supporting the organization.
Clinton concludes, if elected president, she will make sure to bring change
upon the country. While Clinton states she is a staunch advocate for stricter
gun control, I believe her assertion is pointless because she doesn’t elaborate on her plan to do so. Obama recounts in the
second article that it is up to the people to elect politicians who will bring
change, as he as one man cannot do much despite being the president.
Although unfortunate, gun control policies cannot shift overnight as the Republican majority in the House of Representatives remains. The latter article includes a poll, which shows the heavy opposition of gun control by Republicans. Sure, the democrats support stricter gun control, but what are they doing to advocate for it? I agree with Obama, if America truly wants change, the citizens must fight for it- whether it is through a national movement or electing representatives aligned with their values. Otherwise, our country will continue to be plagued with gun violence.
Although unfortunate, gun control policies cannot shift overnight as the Republican majority in the House of Representatives remains. The latter article includes a poll, which shows the heavy opposition of gun control by Republicans. Sure, the democrats support stricter gun control, but what are they doing to advocate for it? I agree with Obama, if America truly wants change, the citizens must fight for it- whether it is through a national movement or electing representatives aligned with their values. Otherwise, our country will continue to be plagued with gun violence.
With so many opponents of gun-control laws, majorly Republican, I do not think that there will be change on this issue anytime soon. Clinton's expression of her belief that more gun control is necessary may help her with the Democratic primaries, as the second article's polling of democrats on gun control shows that most democrats agree with her. This will however, probably hurt her national popularity, as according to the second article more Americans oppose stricter gun control laws than support them. While I see that more gun control laws may lead to an overall safer society, the second amendment does protect the right to keep and bear arms. I am personally undecided on what is the best course of action, because while stricter gun laws may lead to a safer community, it may also lead to a reduction of citizens' liberty.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Hillary Clinton can't really do much about gun control laws, especially since the Republicans are the majority in Congress. I disagree with the conclusion that fewer guns lead to a safer America. Because of the theory of Mutually Assured Destruction, I think it is too early to claim that the lack of guns creates an unsafe environment.
ReplyDeleteI think that what Stephen said has a lot of value and that those who are anti-gun control are illogical. Those who disapprove of weapon restrictions think in accordance to realist theory which suggests that we view the world as it is and it is valid that our world is messed up and dangerous. I think however, that we can't just allow guns to fall into the wrong hands so easily. These people haven't even tried to issue gun control and see if it makes a difference yet they are so quick to rally against it.
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