Johnston 1

Marshall Johnson

Mrs. Sandvick

English III 2nd

16 September 2010
Gun Control

On April 19, 1775 ordinary citizens, the four fathers of our country, raised their rifles

against a tyrant; for the freedoms we have today. Now two hundred and thirty five years after

that fateful day, our freedom to fight for what Americans believe, is being taken away. Gun

control pushes aside the constitutional rights Americans have as legal, law-abiding, citizens of

the United States of America.

Since the beginning of our country gun rights have been a part of our culture. It began in

the town of concord, in the province of Massachusetts, rebels against the crown of England

horded guns from the British Navy. Then on April 19, 1775 the rebel militia stood with their

guns, facing off with the English on the field of Lexington. Being there to disarm the rebels and

arrest the leader of the revolution, the English were the superior forces. A world conquering

army verses a rag tag militia of town’s people. Nobody would know that this battle would the

bases for all gun rights in America.

The Second Amendment is a very controversial part of the Bill of Rights. Many people

have argued the meaning of the document, and have each translated it in a different way to fit

their specific beliefs. The second amendment of the bill of rights states, “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.” This document does not grant us the rights to own firearms; it guaranties and

protects the rights we already had as law-abiding citizens of this country to bear arms.

In today’s society people view guns as dangerous weapons that only bring pain and

suffering, and because of those beliefs many laws have been passed to prevent specific

Americans from owning firearms. Before the date July 19, 2010 it was illegal to own a firearm
 Johnston 1

Marshall Johnson

Mrs. Sandvick

English III 2nd

16 September 2010
within the city limits of Chicago, Illinois outside their home. In chapter eight of the maniple of

Chicago, article II it states, “It is unlawful for any person to carry or possess a handgun, except

when in the person’s home.” ( " M u n i c i p a l c o d e o f C h i c a g o " ) . This document

constricts the constitutional freedom we have to bear arms for self-defense purposes.

Through the years of this great country, guns have played a major role in the social life

style of its people. In the early years of the nineteenth century guns were worn as a right of

passage of a child, the day they were accepted as an adult. In that time, if one man drew his gun

to harm another, he would have ten more guns pointed right back at him. Andrew ford stated that

“Twenty five States allow anyone to buy a gun, strap it on, and walk down the street with no

permit of any kind: some say it's crazy. However, 4 out of 5 US murders are committed in the

other half of the country: so who is crazy?" ( " Fi g h t T h e B i a s . c o m " ) . This is because

if we all had guns, those who commit murder and other violations of the law would be dealt with

there in the street: others who want to break the law would witness these punishments and realize

that they would get the same punishment.

Gun rights violate the freedoms we have through the Bill of Rights. We have the right to

posses and bear firearms in the United States of America. Please do not be fooled by the fears

and allusions that are planted in Americans minds by the media. We all have the right to fight for

our freedoms, through the inalienable rights we are given by our creator, of life, liberty, and the

pursuit of happiness.

Works Cited

"CHAPTER 8-20 WEAPONS." Municipal Code of Chicago. American

 Johnston 1

Marshall Johnson

Mrs. Sandvick

English III 2nd

16 September 2010
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