Documentary for blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S8VSTA2Yog&feature=youtu.be

Work Cited

Vidal, Charlie. “Gun Control is Why Chicago Murder Rates Are Skyrocketing.” policymic.com.  Web. Jan. 2013. 27 May 2013.

<http://www.policymic.com/articles/22622/gun-control-is-why-chicago-murder-rates-are-skyrocketing>.

Goss, Kristin A. “Sample Chapter for Goss, K.: Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America.” Preface. Princeton University Press. N.p.: Princeton UP, 2006. N. pag. Princeton University Press. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.

 http://press.princeton.edu/chapters/s8328.html

Kates, Don B., Jr.: Bigotry, Symbolism and Ideology in the Battle over Gun Control. Rep. Buffalo: William S. Helm, 1992.  Bigotry, Symbolism and Ideology in the Battle over Gun Control. National Legal Center for the Public Interest, 1992. Web. 17 Apr. 2013

Schuman, Howard, and Stanly Presser. “Attitude Measurement and the Gun Control Paradox.” Public Opinion Quarterly 41.4 (1977): 427-38. Attitude Measurement and the Gun Control Paradox. Oxford Journals. Web. 17 Apr. 2013

FBI, U. C. R.. N.p.. Web. 27 May 2013.

<http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/uscrime.htm>.

"District of Columbia." cd.textfiles.com. NRA Institute for Legislative Action, n.d. Web. 27 May 2013.

 <http://cd.textfiles.com/group42/WEAPONS/LAWS/DC.HTM>.

Gun Control Won’t Work

Some in America would say the easiest way to be rid of the majority of violence would be to either create a gun control law or get rid of the 2^nd Amendment of the Constitution.(2^nd Amendment insures us citizens of our right to bear arms.) Others in America would say that would be taking away innocent people’s rights and security. I personally believe that the latter would not happen but Congress would pass a gun control law. The law, in due time, would have the same effect you would see if Congress just did away with the amendment. With this in mind I strongly believe that gun control in America will not work and should not be passed. To show how gun control will not work you must first look into the past, in the present, and to the future.

            Gun control in America has been attempted in the past. Some examples are the British attempting to confiscate the colonist’s firearms, and the Washington D.C. gun control law passed in 1976. Both leading to major spikes in violence and death, these are prime examples. In 1774, the British parliament banned the import of firearms into the colonies due to rising tensions and the recently drafted Declaration of Independence. In 1775, the British government orders troops stationed in the colonies to confiscate firearms. April 19, 1775 American Revolution began with first shots fired in Lexington while British troops attempt to destroy patriot gun supply. In total 123 British and American troops were killed due to the British law being passed and enforced. In 1976, our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., a gun control law was passed banning the sale of handguns in the district. From 1976 to 2008, the death rate in Washington D.C. spiked to a record high for the district. The maximum murder rate during those 28 years reached a high of 482. (Disaster center)

            To look to the past not only gives us our history but ensures that we do not make the same mistakes, and one mistake is gun control. Throughout our history attempting to take an American gun not only brings protest but riots and death. A reasonable and realistic man opposing guns would say the past would not repeat itself, that the past does not set the future. Throughout history, the past has been repeated. In the 1930s the United States and the whole world fell into a great depression. During 2008, the United States and the world fell into a recession. During this year the stock market was at an all time low and the unemployment rate was worse than in the 30s.  In 1775, the Revolutionary War began due to government interference in how the colonies lived their lives. In 1861, the Civil War began due to Union government interference on how the Confederacy lived. History is a key part in deciding the future and explaining how the cause and effect of gun control runs its course and digs deep into America.

            The present gives us just as many answers as the past. Gun control in America is a hot topic and a common one, but even though America as a whole will not make a control law some cities and even states impose control laws. Chicago as of now has the strictest control laws in the country but also has the highest death rate. In my personal opinion the laws and the death rate goes hand in hand. Due to strict gun laws innocent civilians are either denied a gun or just find it too difficult to get one, thus leaving the civilians unprotected when it comes to an armed enemy. The opinion I stated above is not only my opinion but the opinion of others as well. “Gun control policies don’t work because they disarm citizens while keeping criminals in possession of guns.” (Charlie Vidal: policymic) Plus due to the recent gun debates there has been a spike in public disobedience, protests which in some cases leads to arrests and violence. So I ask why disarm civilians and arm criminals? The answer is simple because the people asked for it.

            The war in America will go on even after we have left this life but our battle has just begun. The future of gun control rests in our hands, the future leaders. What will come of gun control down the road in say 20 years? “White House officials frustrated by the Senate’s rejection of gun control legislation said Thursday the fate of the issue is now in the public’s hands.”(The Hill) With this in mind the future is unclear, but ever so important for America. I for one will be on anti-control side because I was raised with guns. If gun control is passed the death rate throughout America will rise and there will be more illegally owned guns which causes more police action and control.

            Gun control in America has not worked in the past, does not work in the present, and will never work in the future. I have given you all you need to know about the past, present, and future now it is your turn to make a choice. Will you be controlled? Or will you say come and take it? I for one say Come and Take It.  But my opinion may be different than yours. Trying to recap gun control in America has been attempted, is still being tried and will more than likely be attempted in the future. But gun control has not worked, does not work, and never will work. So why fight a war in which nothing will come of it.

          Gun Control isn’t about guns

It’s about Control.

My Analysis of “The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America”

Kristin A. Goss argues that the pro-control group in “The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America” is weak and strong at the same time. The activists have a strong backbone in the public but lack the will to push for legislative action when America is still raw from a recent massacre. She claims that the pro-control group that even though the activists are strong publicly that they lack strength in the area they need it the most which is politically. They need to be strong in both sections or they will never see any change.  Goss develops this claim by first exploring and then using notes and interviews by pro-control activists and members of the National Rifle Association Legislative Institute. Goss mainly focuses on how much power the NRA has and how weak the pro-control group is at making a difference. Lastly the author states “a single minded focus on the strong side needlessly distracts our attention from the dynamics of the weak side” which in simpler terms means that though the pro-control group presents itself as a group for the peoples protection and that they form these public displaces of disobedience or shall I say theatricals that the anti-control group has a single purpose and Americans will back behind them. Kristin A. Goss’s purpose for writing this book is to inform us on the facts and reason behind the gun control movement in order to better enlighten us on how the movement works and operates here in the United States of America. This work is significant because I answered or shall I say finished every statement with clear and detailed answers retaining to the topic.  

Guns dont kill

Guns dont kill

My Story

5 years of age is the right of passage in my family.

From my great grandfather to my grandfather to my father this is our “ceremony”

At the age of 5 your father’s firearm becomes         yours if you fire your first shot from that one

   I will keep it alive.                  I remember my day.

 I never thought I               could be so scared.

                              He told me today is                                 the day you become a man.

   I                 believed                him.

         It was midsummer,                                                    hotter than I ever have known it              

to     be, out in the     country                                        of North Carolina

  The range weren’t that far but to me it                              seemed longer than “the green mile”.

          Loaded and ready by the time I                 got               there he handed me his shotgun

                                           “Whenever              you’re             ready bud.”

           I looked down the smooth black              barrel             at that little silver ball at the end.

                   “Now remember Will that           little ball          needs to   go where you want to hit.”

I pulled the trigger. BOOM!  To a five year old that little gun            packed a big punch.

12 years of age me and my mother’s family starts new trade     tion for Christmas

                                                 Where we do go to my uncles and                just shoot.          

          13 years of age My Father dies. Mom has new                     boyfriend.

          I and he only really had one thing in common and             that was guns.

14 years of age receive first gun for from mother semiautomatic       20       gauge.

                                     My mother’s boyfriend lives with us he       owns      guns to.

                                                     One thing we have in common.

I and he have fun not just with guns but messing with each other to and that would not have

Come unless we had the common interest which happens to be both our loves for guns.

Most people believe guns only kill.

Separate loved ones from each other.

You never hear about all the families brought together by them.

You want an example.

Look to me.

Remember.

Guns

Don’t

Kill

People.

Survey Results: Not what I expected?

            When it comes to my survey I feel that the majority of my target population will be against gun control. In fact one of the questions asks how you feel about recent gun control debates. This question is where the survey taker can freely state his or hers own opinion on the mater. Another question asks at what age you believe you are old enough to own a gun. My targets will more than likely feel that you should be able to receive a gun at 15 the very least 16.

            My target audience is mainly southern teens and adults. The reason for the south rather than other regions is due to the fact that we hunt and do more involving guns down here so we will be affected more.  According to my pilot testing the majority my target are against gun control laws. I find these results very trust worthy and reliable. I know this because these are respondents that are not influenced by me. Plus due to the fact that these questions were not biased at all. They were solely unbiased because they did sway the respondent towards a specific answer.  

  

 

 

 

 

 

Demographic: Do you own a firearm?	Question: Do you believe there should be a ban on assault rifles?	Trend
Yes (11) No (22)	13(Mix of those who own and don’t own) 19 (Mix of those who own and don’t own)	I have noticed that the majority of people who answered no are gun owns while a few are not.
Demographic: Do you own a firearm?	Question: President Obama’s gun control proposal states no gun will have a clip of more than 10 rounds of ammunition?	Trend
Yes/Agree No/Disagree	18 (mix of those who own and don’t) 14 (mix of those who own and don’t)	I have noticed something that actually surprised me that a large portion of the people who disagree with President Obama are people who don’t own a firearm.
Demographic: Do you own a firearm?	Question: Do you think President Obama is right on how he is handling the crisis called guns?	Trend
Yes No	10 (mix of those who own and don’t) 23(mix of those who own and don’t)	I have not found a trend with this except that I kind of figured that my respondents would be against President Obama.

            While looking at the data collected I have found that people do care about gun control. In fact looking at the survey very few even own a gun but still feel that something needs to be done whether it is to do away with guns or to protect our 2^nd Amendment right. One of the questions I asked was do you think President Obama is right on how he is handling the crisis call the gun? More people stated that they did not feel he was doing the right thing, 63% (10) of the surveys to be exact. While a mere but surprising 37% (6) said he was doing the right thing. I also asked the public what they think about recent gun control debates. The majority of the respondents have stated that they feel the debates are either pointless or at a stalemate. 73% of the respondents either find them intense or stupid, while on the other 27% of the respondents find them to be heading in the right direction towards the total ban of firearms. On one hand though I asked a question do you believe there should be a ban on assault rifles? Even though it was close still more people answered that there should not be a ban on assault rifles. 53% of the respondents answered no to the ban while 47% said yes to the ban.

            The answers I received from the survey has supported one of my hypotheses but disproved the other. My main hypothesis was that the respondents would dislike gun control. That answer came from the two questions do you think President Obama is right on how he is handling the crisis called the gun, and what do you think about recent gun control debates. According to the data collected my target respondents disliked or stated that recent gun control debates were stupid and did not feel President Obama was right on how he was handling things. My second hypothesis was that the respondents would more than likely say at 15 or 16 years old you should be able to own a firearm. That hypothesis was disproved though due to the targets feeling someone is more mature at the age or 18 rather than 16.

            Now that I have this data from my research and surveys I can honestly say this is a topic I can move forward with. I would like now to find out other peoples opinion on how they think we can get past these ugly debates and find a common ground on the matter. I believe I am heading in the right path to finding the answers I need and with that said I will continue using my research questions with no alterations. The main reason for me not changing my research questions is, as I said before, I am on the right path to finding the answers I need but I also think that these questions cover everything I need to find out about my topic. I also believe that I could not think of any better questions.