·
As gun ownership in America declines, Illinois’s gun
ownership levels seem to be rising. At a grand total of 1.5 million firearms
owner’s identification card holders, Illinois appears to be showing progressive
change.
o THESIS: Illinois
citizens should be given the right to conceal and carry their guns because it
is proven that it helps keep civilians protected, criminals will find guns no
matter what, handgun crimes are not very common, and the second amendment
should not be altered.
·
According to the Ohio Free Press 2009, it is proven
that areas that allow its citizens to conceal and carry tend to develop less
crime than those that do not.
o “States
that allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns enjoy a 60 percent
decrease in multiple-victim shootings and a 78 percent decrease in victims per
attack.” – John Lott, Jr. and Bill Landes, “more guns, less crime.” (SOURCE:
Concealed Carry Licenses, Ohio Free Press, 2009)
o “With just
one single exception, the attack on congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson
(2011), every public shooting since at least 1950 in the U.S. in which more
than three people have been killed has taken place where citizens are NOT
allowed to carry guns.” – John Lott, Jr. co-author with Bill Landes of “More
Guns, Less Crime.”
·
Criminals don’t follow laws; that’s just common
knowledge.
o Criminals
are named criminals for one reason; they don’t abide by the laws.
o So, there
will ALWAYS be and “underground market” with guns.
§ Therefore,
our law-abiding citizens will be left unarmed and completely helpless.
§ About 70%
of law-abiding citizens buy guns for either home or personal protection
from these types of people.
§ The Average
number of people killed in a mass shooting when only police are armed is 18;
when civilians are armed the number is only 2.
·
Not all violent crimes involve handguns.
o Homicide: 67%
of cases committed with handguns; 94% of cases committed with other weapons
o Robbery:
41% of cases committed with handguns; 58% of cases committed with other weapons
o Aggravated
Assault: 20% of cases committed with handguns; 73% of cases committed with
other weapons
§ (SOURCE:
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Report, Crime in the United
States, 2010 [Department of Justice, 2011])
o Timothy
Mcveigh, serial killer, operated without any sort of gun, but he…
§ Killed 168
innocent people
§ Killed 19
children under the age of 6
§ Injured
over 680 innocent people
o Murderers
will kill with or without a gun, it’s inevitable.
o Death by
drowning is 8 times more likely than death by gun; death by automobile is 36+
times more likely than death by gun.
·
2nd Amendment of the Bill of Rights
o “Firearms
stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American
people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence … from the hour the
Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences, and tendencies prove
that to ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally
indispensible … the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil
interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that’s good.” – George
Washington
o “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.” – 2nd
Amendment
§ A militia
is defined as “a body of citizens organized in a paramilitary group
and typically regarding themselves as defenders of individual rights
against the presumed interference of the federal government.” (Dictionary.com)
§ Notice that
it refers to a “body of citizens”, “paramilitary group”, and “defenders of
individual rights.” Each of these refers to a regular American citizen that
would like to own a gun.
§ We
shouldn’t infringe on the rights that were given at the birth of our country.
While I don't necessarily agree with your stance, you present it here in a rather clear and persuasive way. It is apparent that you have drawn from a variety of sources, which is good. Many of your arguments are backed up by clear statistics.
ReplyDeleteTo play the devil's advocate:
- How would you argue allowing concealed carry when it is possible for anyone to obtain guns. Think the recent case where they blocked mandatory background checks. Should people that are allowed to carry in public be required to go through this measure?
- When our government was formed, the 2nd amendment was meant for what it says, a "well regulated militia." While it is true that it means a body of citizens, the meaning was for groups defending themselves when at the time we did not necessarily have a full military like today. Has the definition evolved?
Just things to think about. Always consider the counterpoints to your own arguments.
10/10