Gun control

The gun control debate has been divisive to say the least. There is nothing more passionate to a gun enthusiast than to hear someone mention that they should give up their guns. It has been a wedge issue used by the right wing in general and gun manufacturers specifically, every time a legislator tries to introduce a bill on gun legislation.

The second amendment reads.

Article the fourth [Amendment II][4]

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.

or if you prefer.

Notes:


4. In the Congressional Statutes at Large, Vol. 1, Page 97, at http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=001/llsl001.db&recNum=220, the first and third commas are omitted, so that it 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 question remains open of where those additional, and grammatically spurious, commas came from, but they do not change the legal meaning of the provision, and it would not be erroneous to omit them.

http://www.constitution.org/billofr_.htm#04

The fact is that our founding fathers lived in a different time and under different circumstances. The continental congress had no provisions for an organized military and relied solely on the citizens to protect the country and themselves. It was a time of exploration and much of the country was wild and unsettled so that a man needed a gun to not only put food on the table but to protect them and their families from danger. A gun was very necessary for survival.

Today we are supposed to be a more civilized society but yet guns, and gun violence are a daily item on the evening news. New FBI statistics show an alarming increase in violent crime specifically having to do with guns. This in spite of what the gun lobby said as far as more guns in the hands of citizens would make criminals think twice about committing crimes. What I have said all along has come to fruition, the more guns in the hands of citizens means a bigger market for criminals possessing guns.

We now have concealed carry laws and laws designed to allow citizens to shot to kill without the risk of answering to their actions, but has it helped in decreasing crime? The statistics prove otherwise.

"Two years worth of double-digit increases in violent crime demonstrates an unmistakable change in the extent and the nature of crime in America," said Chuck Wexler, executive director of the nonprofit think tank that is funded in part by the Justice Department, as well as corporations and private foundations.

"There are those that say this is a statistical blip, an aberration," Wexler said. "After two years, this is no aberration."

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/violent-crime-rises-in-big-cities/20070309064709990001

I support, as does John Edwards a persons right to own a gun for protection a hunters right to own a hunting weapon for hunting. However like all rights they come with responsibilities. Like John Edwards I also support laws that govern the sale, and accountability of all firearms and their owners. Senator Edwards has supported legislation, that I support, that would address my concerns and the concerns of all citizens and that is

Q: What federal gun control measures you would propose?

EDWARDS: I think we should extend the Brady Bill, which is set to expire. I think that we need to close forever the gun-show loophole, [to avoid criminals] buying a gun. I think it does make sense to have trigger locks for the purpose of keeping guns safe from children.

http://www.issues2000.org/2004/John_Edwards_Gun_Control.htm

Senator Edwards supports gun control that we can live with (pun intended) and that's why I support John Edwards for President.