PRESENTACIÓN TINTA

by Sofía Aparicio Gómez

the 2nd Amendment – the right to bear arms – gun control

In 1791 the second amendment was adopted, which guaranteed the defense of citizens in terms of limited security. Access to weapons has a serious impact on the country's violence rates, being one of the highest in the world in terms of firearms. The groups affected by this controversy are usually families, or communities in public places such as schools, hospitals, etc....It is essential to rethink the interpretation of the second amendment in order to balance the right to self-defense with the protection of all citizens and their lives.

What is the background of the issue , who the issue affects, and why this is important in the United States today?

One graph or chart that relates to the topic and the analysis of the data to support my ideas.

The graph below shows how gun ownership per 100 inhabitants in the United States amounts to 120 weapons, being the highest rate in the world when compared with other countries such as Serbia, Canada, Lebanon, etc.... leaving aside countries like Spain or the United Kingdom where access is much more controlled. Countries like Japan have a much lower rate, due to their strict restrictions. This analysis supports the hypothesis that, if easy access to weapons in the United States were curtailed, gun violence rates would decrease, thus protecting the rest of the population.

My proposed amendment regulates gun ownership following a system that requires official federal licenses. The objective is that this acquisition is only completed after analyzing the buyer's background, mental health and medical check-ups, and a prior course to develop training to use them. This amendment prohibits all weapons classified as assault weapons, or those modified or with accessories that increase their lethal capacity. I want to emphasize that these measures do not abolish the right to own weapons, but rather restrict access to those people who the state does not consider qualified to acquire them. The positive changes in this regulation would be reflected in a safer environment and communities, with less risk of armed violence, and protecting vulnerable groups.

WhY My proposed amendment and how does it benefit those affected?

The establishment of federal controls and the requirements to acquire a license to access weapons would limit this use in people who do not meet the state's safety criteria, thus reducing violence rates. In countries like Australia or Canada, it is demonstrated how the use of these restrictions and licensing systems results in a lower number of homicides or attacks. These measures would generate notable changes, especially in urban areas and public places. This entire procedure is carried out respecting the right to self-defense, but it does so without endangering the lives of other civilians.

How will my amendment solve the problem ?

A possible argument contradicting my proposal would encompass the idea that it violates the individual right provided in the second amendment. Despite this, other rights written into the constitution also use restrictions that protect public safety. Another possible counterargument would be that criminals would not try to respect the assigned regulations and would seek illegal means to access weapons. But, if that were the case, in response, a line of control would be established over the flow of illegal arms trafficking, as many other countries do. This way, we would argue how the benefits of public security are more relevant and outweigh the difficulties that may arise for responsible and correct civilians.

How the arguments against my amendment proposal might be and how I will counter-argue those points?

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Damnthatsinteresting/comments/11yd92t/number_of_firearms_per_100_residents_in_2017/?rdt=37198
• https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-58094568
• https://elpais.com/internacional/2024-06-21/el-supremo-de-estados-unidos-avala-que-se-prohiba-a-los-maltratadores-tener-armas-de-fuego.html
• https://elordenmundial.com/que-es-segunda-enmienda-armas-estados-unidos/

resources

• https://www.shutterstock.com/es/search/second-amendment-united-states-constitution
• https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/firearms/fastfact.html
• https://smallarmssurvey.org/
• https://jamanetwork.com/
• https://www.bbc.com/news
• https://guidewaylegal.com/grandma-and-her-guns-families-confront-dementia-and-firearms/