2. Why Gun Control? Why Now?
Throughout American history, high- The public dispute over the role
profile gun violence has focused of guns in society reached a shrill
the national spotlight on gun peak during the decade from
1990 to 2000. Most arguments
control. Although there have been took the form of slurs and slogans
many gun laws created since 1791, hurled across the airwaves by
there has still been high (and loyal troops on both sides. But for
increasing) murder rates with guns those who prefer a more
involved. There are states that thoughtful analysis, this intense
allow citizens, with a permit, to period of cultural warfare also
carry around guns. Some for produced an unprecedented
flood of books on the subject.
hunting and others for the Some suggestions were stricter
protection of their own home. Why penalties for firearm use during
are citizens from one state allowed felonies and statewide
to protect themselves while others background checks for those
are not? If no one were allowed to who have or choose to carry
have guns throughout the entire firearms. Others opposed
nation, drug-related and other restrictions on the right to bear
arms while the rest believed that
types of murders would decrease. having a gun in the home may
However in order to have a more be much more dangerous and
efficient decrease in murders, I feel more likely to cause injury than
that only government officers and it’s use to “defend” the home.
those in the military, army, air-
force, marines, etc. should have
access to gun weaponry.
3. What’s Been Done Before?
The two most significant federal statutes controlling firearms in the
civilian population are the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the
Gun Control Act of 1968. The 1934 Act established strict registration
requirements and a transfer tax on machine guns and short-
barreled long guns. The 1968 Act prohibits mail-order sales and the
interstate sales of firearms, prohibits transfers to minors, limits access
to "new" assault weapons, and sets forth penalties and licensing
requirements for manufacturers, importers, and dealers.
Gun control advocates argue that they curb access by criminals,
juveniles, and other "high-risk" individuals. They contend that only
federal measures can successfully reduce the availability of guns.
Some seek broad policy changes such as near-prohibition of non-
police handgun ownership or the registration of all firearm owners
or firearms. They assert that there is no constitutional barrier to such
measures and no significant social costs. Others advocate less
comprehensive policies that they maintain would not impede
ownership and legitimate firearm transfers.
4.
5. What Can I do?
A solution that I came up with for the increase of gun control was to set
up school programs ranging from elementary school to college level
students. This would be a five week program would occur one day out
of the week. The first week a police officer would speak about gun
crimes and the punishments given when committing a crime with this
type of weapon. He would also discuss scenarios and have the students
act out skits concerning these scenarios. The second week, a military
soldier (retired or not) will come visit and talk about his experiences at
war and how he was affected by what he witnessed daily with
weaponry. The third week, a person who had lost someone close to
them, whether family or friend, and talk about their emotions when
going through their loss and what they feel should have happened to
the perpetrator. The fourth week, someone who has had a past using
gun weaponry illegally or hurt someone or their family will discuss their
guilt and experience as well as what they would have changed if they
could. The fifth and final week, a surviving victim of gun violence would
speak to the class and speak about his suffering and how she/he had
felt when almost losing their life.
6. Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees
GCAP (Gun Control Awareness Program) would be a non-profit
organization, meaning that the program has the purpose of serving
a public or mutual benefit other than the pursuit or accumulation
of profits for owners or investors. Every profit to run the organization
would be through fundraising and donation. The potential clients
are middle schools, high schools, and even college campuses. The
only aspect of the program that would need to be funded would
be travel expenses (used to promote the organization throughout
the state and hopefully later on throughout the country), as well as
flyers and promotional trinkets such as buttons, pens, and what not.
To start off the promotional part of the program we would need at
the least $1000 for 15,000 flyers (just to start out) from Rush Flyer
Printing and $105 for each unlimited 30-day metro card for
traveling around the New York State. Any more expenses would just
be more beneficial to the program. Schools would have to pay
nothing for the program’s services.
7. Schedule
June – August: Contact schools (varying from middle school to college) about the Gun Control
Awareness Program (GCAP) and see if they are interested in being involved and have their
students be part of the program once a month for five months.
September: Take survey among the students in the chosen schools rating how aware they are
about gun control and what they would do if they were put in a situation involving gun
weaponry and are threatened. Also find people that will volunteer to speak at the schools and
universities each month, including: the first week a police officer would speak about gun crimes
and the punishments given when committing a crime with this type of weapon. He would also
discuss scenarios and have the students act out skits concerning these scenarios. The second
week, a military soldier (retired or not) will come visit and talk about his experiences at war and
how he was affected by what he witnessed daily with weaponry. The third week, a person who
had lost someone close to them, whether family or friend, and talk about their emotions when
going through their loss and what they feel should have happened to the perpetrator. The fourth
week, someone who has had a past using gun weaponry illegally or hurt someone or their family
will discuss their guilt and experience as well as what they would have changed if they could.
The fifth and final week, a surviving victim of gun violence would speak to the class and speak
about his suffering and how she/he had felt when almost losing their life.
October – February: Once a month on any given day of the school week, a speaker comes in
to talk to the students about their experience with gun control and how it affects or has
affected their life in some way. We will also engage students in skits and activities having to do
with being involved in a situation with guns. At the end of the program, each student would be
assigned a pen pal who has been a gun perpetrator or has been a victim of gun crime and can
choose whether or not to write to him or her.
8. Let’s Be A Little Ideal
Vision:
No gun Mission:
Educate
access for citizens people that are
pro-gun control on
guns, their history
and their
operation.
