History Day project

B3

Jacob Biesinger

March 15, 2017

 Gun Laws $ Gun control

There is a lot controversy around civilians with the ability to own and carry a gun. Many

people want more gun control because guns cause more domestic violence, and deaths. But on

the other hand many people want to keep their guns rights and even more rights because its said

that the ability for a civilian to carry a firearm deters crime and it assures the rights of the second

amendment. There are many factors to the gun control and guns laws. Many want more extensive

background checks; others want to take away the right to carry a firearm in public.

Many states go by the unrestricted, shall-issue, may-issue, and no-issue. Utah goes by the

shall-issue permit policy. The shall-issue policy allows a law abiding citizen to get a concealed

permit but they have to meet a certain criteria. Utahs gun laws are meant to protect the 2nd

amendment rights of the citizens that have a clean record. Utah allows the sale, possession, and

use of firearms and ammunition. Utah goes by the Castle doctrine, which states that if a person

believes that a perpetrator is going to commit a crime using force the victim legally can use

deadly force to stop said perpetrator. In Utah people can carry a firearm in banks, bars, public

universities, and state parks which are commonly not allowed in many other states, with a permit

a person can carry a weapon in schools (K-12). One may privately sell firearms if they are over

the age of 18. The people prohibited categorized in 2 categories.

The people that want gun rights have many reasons for wanting their rights. One of their

reasons are its a constitutional right guaranteed by the 2nd amendment of the bill of rights.

Having possession of a firearm can protect you, loved ones, and strangers. Its said that
concealed carry deters crime according to the Applied Economic letter. Guns rights should come

to responsible citizens that want to be able to protect themselves. Carrying a handgun could stop

a public mass shooting. JFK on Jan 29, 1961 said, Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens

who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic

purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The

cause of liberty, the cause of America, cannot succeed with any lesser effort. JFK is saying that people

need to be able to defend their freedoms. The Constitution bill of rights says, 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. Many think that gun control infringes on the rights that this country was built upon. The 2 nd

amendment states that people can keep and bear arms, and shall not be taken away.

Many people believe guns rights lead to more domestic violence and crimes. Reasons why people

want gun control are because it increases crimes. A different source says that Permitting concealed

handguns increases crime according to the journal of criminal law and criminology. People commonly

claim that a villain is more likely to carry if they suspect citizens carrying. Another reason for gun control

is that the crimes against public safety should be left to the police officers, not citizens with little training.

The biggest point to gun control is that many public shootings occur with guns. But many want stricter

background and completely make it so a person with a mental illness cant possess a firearm.

There are many pros and cons to having little gun laws and having gun control. Its hard to

determine what is more effective and safe for the general population. Guns can be the tool to a mass

shooting but they can also be the way to advert a mass shooting. There are instances when people were

able to stop shooters because they were carrying a concealed weapon. People should only be able to

buy/carry guns only if they are eligible. Meaning there should be more extensive background checks,

determine whether someone is mentally stable enough to have a weapon. When going to concealed

weapons the shall-issue law secures that someone needs a background check to get a permit.
 Sources

www.wikipedia.org
www.procon.org
www.newyorker.com
www.jfklibrary.org
The Constitution bill of rights