188 Chapter 8 ' Public Issue Campaigns and Debates :'f-'n s. u: an An emotionally charged controversy has long swirled around the availability. ownership. and use of ries and handguns. On one side are those who are shocked by crime rates and feel that violent behavior is encour- aged by gun ownership. On the opposing side are the constitutional rights to keep arms and to be secure in one's home. There are legal provisions for game hunting and target shooting as sport, recreation, and employment. Somewhere in between are the wildlife conservationists, the millions who must walk dark streets at night, and the mil- lions who, by nature, abhor violence and kill- ing in any form. Fact Finding The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States (Article 2 of the Bill of Rights) stipulates \"a wellregulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." The interpretation and the ongoing applicability of this amend- ment constitute the basis for the controversy involving the personal and private ownership ofguns Key words in the constitutional amendment appear to be militia and keep and bear arms. One dictionary denes militia as \"all able-bodied male citizens from eighteen to forty-ve, not members of the regular military forces, and legally subject to call for military duty.\" That is clear enough as applied to colo- nial times. But what is a \"militia\" in modern times when the United States has a trained standing army, large Reserve and National Guard units, a Pentagon brain center, and a worldwide intelligence network, all of which are backed by an enormous nuclear capability that could be unleashed by a word of command and the pressing of a few buttons? \"mnu'vimy-y u~v4<..- case gunsfor whom for what as the right to bear arms. did our nation founders intend that one needed be a melnber of or might he she any able-bodied man woman and do apply only flintlock weapons should they include automatic pistols ak-47s other today such questions denition make up small part long manysided debate. since those pioneer days conversion gun usage from protection criminal ends has unfortunately attained disturbing proportions. according web site brady campaign prevent violence in rearms were used kill people united states this country is fourth world deaths behind south africa columbia thailand fbi uniform crime reports guns nearly percent murdered year. americans meanwhile are divided over issue. latest national survey by pew research center press conducted among adults nds public evenly s whether it more important protect rights owners control ownership largely unchanged april vs. but majorities had consistently said was than own legal controls old cliche ought law against seems appropriate. four signicant federal laws support different forms control. first firearms act aimed at special .. .._. ._.__ weapons. statute covers sawed-off shotguns. does not involve pistols. revolvers. regular rifles commonly displayed shops. second statutethe actcame years later. prohibited interstate shipment all fire- arms convicted felons. persons under indictment. fugitives justice. addition. required manufacturers. dealers. importers doing business across state lines have federally issued license. twenty-ve just few months before president john f. kennedy assassinated third intro- duced senate known act. its purposes ban mail-order re- individuals stop over-the-counter sales minors prohibit possession criminals bar importation concealable foreign handguns. with some modications origi- nal form passed then after often acrimonious debate bill enacted handgun prevention established system background checks waiting periods buying handguns licensed named james former secretary who wounded assassination attempt on ronald reagan. supreme court ruled unconstitutional government require perform specied bill. congress replaced ve-day- waiting-period clause instant felon id requires dealers purchasers. million permits processed denied. us. decided vote overturning chapter issue campaigns debates washington. dc. local ordinance banning ownership. year same court. vote. overturned chicago banned clear point considers right. an opinion which growing percentage agree. between approving fallen poll usa today. p a1 whole matter complex emo- tional. there strong personal convictions frequent flare-ups contro- versy. hunters hobbyists. competitive range shooters enforcement personnel. wild- life conservationists ammunition makers frightened nightshift workers others hold convictions. victims armed robbery rape gunpoint kidnapping hijacking families friends killed maimed gunshot harbor deep emotional feelings. times been shocked guilt. numerous school shootingsfrom virginia tech bethel alaska conyers georgia johnston rhode island jacksboro tennesseehave focused attention horrors wrought elicited outcries longer mandated locks stricter licensing restricted sales. deranged shooter tucson arizona six including congresswoman gabrielle giffords. later neighborhood watch ofcer sanford florida shot black male raised furor brought so-called your ground self-defense adopted. ip side rie association advocates their fingers people. ask. you legislate san- ity opinion. both sides participants. representing nra. founded boasts members. marshals sustains resistance restrictive measures members feel infringe amendment. time supports mandatory sentences misuse arm commission crime. objectives nra extend sup- porting legislation continues permit use law-abiding citizens pleasure protection. describes itself independent nonprot organization. literature asserts constitution- ally entitled rearms. programs described them include: guardianship amendment through institute legislative action political victory fund continually monitors. tracks systematically combats threats keep level lawmakers uphold constitutional information visit www .nra.org. sponsorship various shooting clubs marksmanship programs. initiated civilian ago youth training ago. participation board promote practice operate pistol matches. assignment olympic committee governing body membership international union. creation code ethics nationwide day. donation trophy awards. origination safety courses home. functioning certifying agency instructors. counselors. referees. total nancial expenses teams competitions. how ls financed three afliated organizations qualify tax-exempt charitable donations tax deductible income purposes. these contribution civil defense foundation. dues contributions sale items related annual budget million. publishes american rieman hunter america freedom magazines sports available nonmembers subscription only. advertising publica- tions another source income. also insights junior ring plans instructions handbooks instruction manuals wide variety pamphlets. active constituency despite claimed far back ability produce hours half letters postcards telegrams target includes richard harris. legislation: if love guns. new yorker: comprising house- holds: veterans wars: hunters: club members: collectors: deal- ers: manufacturers equipment hunt- ing shooting. strategy tactics points controversy when shocking incidents assassina- tions. shootings gang-related seize front page swings suddenly widely. sympathizes deploring senselessness demanding apprehension perpetrator swift stem justice firearm concerned write editors. officials speak registration regulation controls. immediate aftermath tragic episodes outrage taken stance overt rebuttal. lie low knowing pendulum will return positions held event. dealings legisla- tive however wavered gone silent. lobbying many emphasized don peo- ple: implying rather controlstemer penalties really needed. amazing track record successful opposition assertive defensive. rst proposed helped delay passage seven years. education points: would disarm citizen without affecting goes global. jason vest. salon politics criminal. ignore legislation. . available. weapon most found hands stolen. leave law- abiding mercy criminals. subversive power hacked gov- ernment les enemies occupied country. lu role relations within structure govemmen- tal affairs ofce eld services member scal services. where organization expertise lies. steadily ascending fortune magazine listing influen- tial groups america. ranked sixth. moved fourth. made place. rankings reached number-one spot displac- aarp although no rates rms retired top. persuasive given impression past invisible silent perhaps overwhelmed intimidated. peole neutral fence sitters seem success reects popular sentiment. neither complete valid. license purchase handgun. civilized notregulate report. died firearm-related inci- dents murders. suicides acci- justified homicides january pp. treated like carsthey registered licensed. statistical backing impressive. us general accounting full per- cent murders aggra- vated assaults robberies committed using gao asked consider specically denial person transfers another. grassroots vocal lobby inc. sarah joined group well sister attack reagan during wounded. became chair cphv renamed violence. organiza- merged mom march chapters combined largest nonpartisan leading ght seeks attract enough contributing face off alert constituents candidates election favor report voting records issues amount each gets provide continuous rallying point. bringing things up-to-date confrontations. single-issue take inexible posture. ofcials convinced concession establish precedent invite nibbling away ironclad received sev- eral blows because turning tide efforts police organizations. specically: clinton signed into violent rst-ever assault future manufacture military-style wake oklahoma city bombing faced intense scrutiny widespread criticism views. dropped george bush resigned his revealed called bureau alcohol tobacco agents booted thugs fund-raising letter. anyone misdemeanor domestic offense owning gun. struck down check requirement law. still period provisions survived nra-nanced challenge. ofcers continued conduct voluntarily until went effect orleans entity sue industry. columbine high close show loophole allows unregulated private similar house defeated stalled conference committee. merrill v. navegar resulted appeals ruling maker can liable negligence smith wesson manufacturer settle cities counties suing industry agreeing sweeping changes manufacturing distribution practices. two battles attorney massachusetts consumer powers regulate began swing direction millennium. o lawful commerce protects suits unlawful rearm. individual voted allow carry parks. taking groused rep. carolyn mccarthy may bound societal subject going go away. online search leg- islation yields mentions. w. adminis- tration conservative judges added delight top goals employees bring work so left sonal vehicles. ten laws. major conol expired further bills favorable passed. discussion oppose tighten grounds foot door demands obama pro-gun community overdrive convincing aim nothing brings supportmonetary othennisethan potential threat cause. pro legislators introduced designed loosen further. shoot someone least states. trayvon martin about turn others. very effective levels protecting worked hard put>