A Future of Firearms: The Changing Landscape of Guns in America

The Future of the Second Amendment

Whenever one of our constitutional rights is threatened, even vaguely, people tend to speak up.  One group wants one thing, and another wants the complete opposite.  Right now, as you are all too aware, the Second Amendment has been thrust into the spotlight.  Various groups are trying to voice their opinions—much of it becoming garbled and distorted as it filters its way through various channels.  Some want the Second Amendment repealed, others wanted it amended to feature tighter restrictions on firearms, others want more clarity in the meaning of its wording, and then there are those who believe it is fine the way it stands.  It’s certainly a discussion that needs to be had as we develop and advance as a society, but sometimes when it comes to the arguments, debates, and discussions, it seems were stuck in state of adolescence.

The Demonization of Firearms and Those Who Own Them

In the wake of this country’s tragic shootings (and, really, shootings that happen worldwide), the extra attention makes it the perfect time for proponents of stricter gun control, regulation, or those who favor repealing the Second Amendment to vocalize their opinions and demonize firearms.  This causes the various topics we should be talking about, such mental health care, to largely side-stepped.  We’re giving to much attention to the weapons, not the carrier of those weapons.  In some cases, this shift of focus makes sense, specifically when that carrier is dead, either by his own hand or responding law enforcement, and people need to direct their emotions and the blame.

Another issue we should be talking about is gun safety and education.  Today, it’s likely that at least one child will be accidentally killed or critically injured by a mishandled firearm.  It happens all too often.  It doesn’t help that too many kids (and adults, as well) have gained everything they know about guns from sources such as video games, TV, and movies.  While requiring mandatory gun education is impractical, bringing up the topic of education into the national debate on gun control my help stem some of the demonization that is occurring.

A National Gun Registry

In the search for answers to the questions of what to do about gun violence, the subject of a national gun registry has been thrown around to a significant degree.  In short, citizens who purchase and own guns would be required to register each one and possibly be subject to fingerprinting and a file photograph.  While this isn’t a terrible idea on paper, it might be useful, for example, for local law officials investigating an individual’s weapon ownership status before going to their place of residence.

Regardless, people are asking, “What’s the point of a national gun registry?”  Many try to rationalize it in the context of the recent shootings, perhaps associating a national registry as a means to prevent such incidents or track gun owners.  Ultimately, however, that can’t be the case.  Having a person and all their weapons in a registry isn’t a preventative measure for anything.   People who want a gun are going to get a gun and they’re going to use it for whatever purpose they desire, whether they’re a law abiding citizen who merely wants to protect his or her family or whether they’re an emotionless sociopath.

The Future of Gun Ownership

The gears in the nation’s capital are turning and the future of gun ownership in America remains uncertain.  It’s safe to say that despite the actions taken by Congress or the Executive Office, the citizens will remained armed.  What isn’t safe to say is what those citizens will be able to legal purchase going forward (or the more extreme of America’s elected officials get their way and manage to enact legislation that allows for the confiscation of certain firearms).  What might become of magazines capable of holding more than 6 rounds?  What about semi-automatic firearms?  Or the weapons many people already legally own?  There are still too many questions that aren’t going to be answered soon, but as long as there is media attention on gun violence and control, the debate will rage on.