Carolynn Erhardt
09 February, 2013

Is Gun Control The Solution?
Whether or not gun control bans and laws should be established has been a major political debate within our government for years; however, recently the debate on gun control has been appointed a top priority of debate because of recent school shootings occurring throughout the United States. Because of the recent killings two groups have been formed: the group against gun control and the group for gun control. I am against gun control. Instead there should be more personal accountability and harsher punishments for those convicted criminals. Many of these people for gun control don’t realize how much more damage it would do than good to the government, citizens, and overall America. Establishing gun laws infringes on the Second Amendment of The Bill of Rights, which does not affect nor hinder the criminals.
The Second Amendment 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” ("Second Amendment”). This amendment is very important to how modern society was formed; however; it was created over 200 years ago when the only weapons available were single shot muskets, swords, bow and arrows, and axes which were the primary weapons for self-defense and war. Many argue on the translation of the Second Amendment, so they may apply it correctly to our society. Instead of trying to argue over the true meaning of the right to bear arms America’s citizens and government should at some point come to an agreement on today’s terms of what to bear arms should include pertaining to modern society and its weapons. For example, The Bill of Rights was written during a period where women were considered property, did not have freedom of speech, and could not vote. Until, it “passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment guarantees all American women the right to vote. Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle; victory took decades of agitation and protest” ("19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women's Right to Vote"). This 19th amendment of the Constitution that gave women’s rights was a result of the American government and the American citizens coming to an agreement. The right to bear arms should have the same end results without the proposal of gun control.
Personal responsibility and parent involvement have been lacked much in our society. Kids and teenagers are becoming victims of bullying, are involved in gangs and drugs, and participated in activities that leads them down the path to becoming a criminal without the parents’ or family’s knowledge. One recent example is the Price Middle School Shooting that took place in Atlanta, Georgia on January 31, 2013. A young 15 year old boy brought a gun to school and shot another student who was 14 years old in the back of the head which lead to him being hospitalized. “At a Friday afternoon press conference, Atlanta school and police officials said that the weapon was a small handgun and that it appeared at least three rounds were fired. They were investigating the possibility that the shooter and victim may have been part of groups that had gang affiliations”( "14-year-old Recovering after Shooting at SE Atlanta Middle School" ). Later on February 1, 2013, “Douglas’ mother said he told her he was in between classes when another student he recognized approached him, started “talking smack” and pulled out a gun. She said he turned to run when he was shot from behind” ("14-year-old Recovering after Shooting at SE Atlanta Middle School" ). Whether or not these two boys were a part of a gang, one of the other being bullied, or out of frustration some event that took place gave the shooter the idea to bring a firearm to school and to use it on another individual. Because of the parents’ lack of involvement in their child, family morals and values this