Since the days of the pioneers of the United States, firearms have been part of the American tradition as protection and a means of hunting or sport. As we near the end of the 20th century the use of guns has changed significantly. Because of fast and steady increase in crime and the fight for the right to own a handgun, the introduction of legislation for gun control, to try to reduce the crime in the United States, has been a hotly debated issue in recent years.
Although many people feel that gun control violates the right of the people, given in the second amendment "the right to bear arms", controlling distribution and sales and the registration of guns and gun owners is necessary because of the homicide rate involving guns and the violence by criminals using guns.
Many people feel that gun control violates the right of the people given in the second amendment the right "to bear arms". Opponents of gun control, including the National Rifle Association, better known as the NRA, argue that the "right To bear arms" is guaranteed in the second amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and licensing restrictions penalize law-abiding citizens while in no way preventing criminal use of handguns. It is also argued that by making it difficult for guns to be bought and registered for the American public there is a threat to the personal safety of American families everywhere.
However controlling the sale and distribution of firearms is necessary because of the homicide rate involving guns. In 1988 there were 9000 handgun related murders in America. Metropolitan centers and some suburban communities of America are setting new records for homicides by handguns. Larger Metropolitan centers have ten times the murder rate of all Western Europe. For example in Washington, D.C. there was an estimated 400 homicides including guns.
In addition gun control has been seen as necessary because of the violence by criminals using guns. Gun control is wrapped in a series of social issues such as crime and drugs. Guns have become closely linked to drugs and murder in the public mind. Drug dealing and high tech weaponry have escalated the warfare in cities between long established loosely knit gangs. Predominantly guns of crime are used by gang members. Many police officers are killed every year due to drug and gang related incidents involving guns. For example in 1988 on February 26 rookie New York City police officer Edward Byre was sitting alone in his police car guarding the house of a drug trial witness in South Jamaica, Queens where he was shot four times in the head and killed.
There are valid reasons for why certain people feel that gun control is unfair. People against gun control feel that it is a violation of the Constitution to control the sale and distribution and the registration of guns and gun owners. But it is necessary for there to be certain limits on the way that firearms are handled in the US because of the homicide rate involving guns and because of the violence created by criminals using guns. If gun control legislation were to go through there would be a significant decline in gun related crimes and fatalities.
In light of recent media frenzied school shootings, which in actuality play only a small percentage of guns related homicide. I believe the news, film, and media makers themselves are greatly responsible for what seems more and more a trend in adolescent pop-culture.
Oppressed youth who have become outcast or (go postal) as they say, for one reason or another know very well that their fifteen minutes of fame is easily obtained. Simply by acquisition of a gun, which can be found in one out of two American households. And in most cases left unlocked and ready for action as to protect the household. So chances are if a youth has relatives he/she has access to a handgun, without even resorting to unlawful purchase. In this fast paced information age parental guidance is limited, not to mention that some children are quite aware of constitutional rights and therefore the governments rights to raise your children. It seems the press' right to freedom of speech offers a more continuous flow of moral guidance and direction. However we're all aware of the ulterior motives involved, which are ratings grabs and advertiser capital.

Therefore we must educate our children as best we can through Conservative Christian family values. The church has been seen as dogmatic, old-fashioned and homophobic. As a church member I will concur that dogma exists and can prove stigmatic, no institution is perfect. However "In God We Trust" is woven deeply into the constitution, which at present is subject to popular criticism. If this, the 2nd, 5th Amendment or any other original text were to be altered or removed it would surely question the constitutions integrity as a whole. Ref. The Holy Bible NIV Deuteronomy 4:2" Do Not Add. People usually remember they are not supposed to "drop" one of God's commands, but it is more subtly tempting to add commands. Religious people of Jesus' time, for example invented elaborate rules on how far you could walk on the Sabbath. Such "legalism" may seem holy, but goes against God's directions. "
I'm sure there have been many additions to our North American Constitutions to date but I see no reason to reinvent the wheel. We must put faith in our elected office.
Ref. The Prince, Nicolo Machiavelli "Men want to know the way to heaven, but rather than teach them the path to heaven I would prefer to teach them the path around hell so that they may get to heaven". Modern day princeàBill Clinton
Political correctness is this day and age is merely semantics, which inevitably will lead to a serious social backlash. Resulting from a logical reversion to traditional family values. Homophobia is a word used by means of gaining public sympathy for an otherwise alternative lifestyle. Homosexuality is a biological dead end and has not been proven hereditary. Much like hate, such perversions are learned. It's not something you are born with; it's a conscious decision. It seems our children our bombarded regularly by social cancers which all seem to fit quite neatly into popular culture. Parents can educate to the utmost degree. Once in the world however, young and influential minds are subject to their own free will and pier pressure. How is it that men clad in g-strings barely containing their genitals parade through streets (streets that lead to schools) named after saints, as a proclamation of their pride for a lifestyle based solely on their sexual preference.
Point blank, my opinion would be to reinforce God in the institution, serenity to the children by putting God back in the school system, and guns back in the home as few will give up the right to protect their home and family. Through democracy as Canadians we have the right to choose our leaders. The Bible declares that we respect our authority; yes we have the right to protest through freedom of speech. But to accost and apprehend leaders infringes upon their rights. Pepperspay (as opposed to guns) as a use of quailing an angry mob seems a far cry from the atrocities committed in less developed countries. Once again there is no perfect institution, but through democratic due process, progress possible. However for those that choose not to participate in the electoral process, they can expect very little in return.
If our politicians primary concern is voting numbers, the advantage of church congregations appeal is that of whole body of members, rather than individuals. When a politician understands the meaning of true faith he can lead his people through the fire and back. And within congregational faith there's always the potential for growth through evangelism. It seems the one existing positive factor of media exploitation is the constant hunger for the hard facts. Helping to expose fraudulent evangelists and politicians. Unfortunately opportunistic attitudes often lean to popular opinion, and the media can make or break what is considered to be popular opinion. A predominant factor in this equation of life is "what's in it for me, what do I stand to gain through your faith" often a demand of scientific proof. There is no scientific proof; science cannot stand up to the fact that the only thing permanent is creation itself, theorize all you want, only God knows.
In conclusion without community support of which the church swears by, positive and moral progression through government is intangible. Our youth need to know their existence boils down to more than blowing away whoever ruined their day. Today our leaders have gained notoriety through peaceful arms reduction on a global level, at the heart of most faiths is a philosophy of peace toward mankind. Just think if we could clean up our own backyard with stricter gun control, as a result of that philosophy perhaps lesser nations would not harbor such great resentment in having to submit to a superpower by might alone. Ultimately gaining the respect of world nations from the standpoint of being political leaders through Gods word.