How to Write a Research Paper on Gun Control
Gun control is one of the most controversial topics in the United States. In fact, it’s one of the most divisive issues that Americans face today. On one side, gun control advocates want stricter regulation on who can buy and own guns, while on the other side, gun rights advocates want to keep regulations as they are or even loosen them up.
Everyone has a different opinion on this matter because it involves so many personal beliefs and values. As such, you may find yourself researching gun control for a school assignment or personal interest. Regardless of your reasons for learning about it, you’ll discover that there are many things to unearth about gun control. This article will help you understand how to write a research paper on gun control so that you can create an argumentative paper with plenty of evidence to support your position.
What is Gun Control?
Gun control refers to laws and regulations that govern who can own firearms, how they can be purchased, and how they can be used. Gun control has been a hotly debated issue in the United States for decades. There are a variety of different types of gun control laws that can be implemented at the federal, state, and local levels. The first federal gun control law was passed in 1934 as a response to the rise of organized crime. This law banned the sale of new machine guns and also required that all criminals, drug addicts, alcoholics, and the insane give up their weapons.
The next major federal gun law was passed in 1968. This law is commonly referred to as the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). This act banned the sale of firearms to felons and mentally ill individuals, increased firearm dealers’ licensing requirements and prohibited mail-order sales across state lines. In 1986, another major piece of federal legislation was enacted called the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA). FOPA eased some restrictions on lawful gun ownership by repealing certain provisions within GCA.
Why Is Gun Control Important?
Gun control is important because it helps prevent gun violence, which is a huge public health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that there are around 80,000 firearm injuries and 33,000 firearm deaths in the United States each year. These figures are particularly noteworthy when you consider that the United States has only 5% of the world’s population but owns 50% of the world’s civilian-owned guns.
Gun violence has a variety of negative impacts. It can lead to premature death and disability, increase medical costs, reduce the quality of life, and negatively affect families, communities, and the economy. Gun control laws can help reduce gun violence by making firearms less accessible to people who shouldn’t have them.
Electronic Tracking of Firearms
Some people argue that firearm owners should be required to implant a microchip in their guns so that law enforcement can track them. This would require firearm owners to pay an annual fee for the service. Gun rights advocates argue that this would violate the Second Amendment because it would require firearms to be registered, which could lead to gun confiscation
. Even if this isn’t the intention, it could happen in a future administration that is less pro-gun rights. Proponents argue that this would help police track down criminals and stolen guns. However, many people are concerned that there would be privacy issues because the government would be able to track firearm owners.
Limiting the Sale of Firearms
A number of gun control advocates believe that certain types of firearms, such as automatic weapons, should be illegal. Proponents argue that these weapons are designed to kill many people quickly and should be prohibited because they aren’t necessary for self-defense. However, opponents argue that these weapons are rarely used in crimes and are often used for lawful purposes such as hunting.
Some people want to make illegal firearms illegal, including military-style rifles and large-capacity magazines. These types of guns and magazines are often used in mass shootings, so some people are in favor of banning them.
Improving Background Checks for Buyers
There are several ways to improve background checks for people who purchase firearms. One option is to make the background check process longer. Some people argue that the process should last up to six months in order to give law enforcement enough time to investigate each person thoroughly. Others argue that the process should last only a few days or weeks. Whatever length of time is decided, people who fail the background check could appeal the decision. Some people argue that people who fail the background check should automatically be given a “red flag” that would prohibit them from buying a gun.
Disarming Domestic Violence and Stalking Victims
Domestic violence and stalking victims often request special orders of protection that prohibit their abusers from owning or purchasing firearms. However, not all states require people to turn in their guns when given a special order of protection. Proponents argue that all states should implement laws that require people given special orders of protection to turn in their guns because they are more likely to commit future acts of violence.
Some people argue that this would violate the Second Amendment because these people have not been convicted of a crime. However, others argue that these people are more likely to commit a crime, so it makes sense to disarm them.
Conclusion
Gun control is an issue that sparks passionate debate because it involves so many philosophical and economic questions, as well as issues of constitutional law. While many believe stricter gun control laws are the solution to reducing violent crime and making the country safer, others believe that tighter gun control would infringe upon their constitutional rights and lead to government overreach.
These two sides have been waging war for decades, and it doesn’t appear they’ll find any common ground soon. With that being said, the gun control debate will likely be around for quite some time, so it’s important to unearth all of the facts and understand the arguments on both sides so that you can make an informed decision.
Get Help on Writing Gun Control Essay
Writing a good gun control essay is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. This is why our competent authors, experienced in project writing, are at your side for all questions related to the gun control essay. You can easily access our professional help at any stage of writing your essay. The core value of our service is reliability. You can access our quick help at any time on homeworkstand.com.