Gun violence
Uploaded by CaseyP on Jul 28, 2017
Speech
Student:
Institution:
Speech
The second amendments empower each American citizen to own a gun. Therefore, any efforts to change these provisions must include a plebiscite. The United States has a history of gun violence, and efforts have been suggested to improve public safety (Nakamura & Eilperin, 2016). The shooting in Inland Research Center San Bernardino where over 26 civilians infuriated President Obama and offered the opportunity for him to push for tighter gun control. The president suggested issuing executive orders that called for tighter control in the gun acquisition, including expanded background search on buyers (Nakamura & Eilperin, 2016). The suggestions by the president met a lot of resistance and criticism, especially from groups such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), Republicans among others. The paper will discuss the critique of President Obama speech on gun violence following shootings at San Bernardino.
One natural right that cannot be taken away from any individual is the freedom to self-preservation. The stressing point here is that humans have a right to take steps that secure their families and properties. The framers of the constitution especially the enactment of the second amendments had the idea of self-preservation in mind. Therefore, they made it a right for every citizen of the United States to bear arms. Obama executive order and the suggested expanded background search would simply stifle the provisions of the second amendments and constrain the rights of the citizens (Nakamura & Eilperin, 2016). By all consideration, the legality of such an order should only be determined through a referendum. In other words, Americans should be allowed to vote on whether they want to retain the right to bear arm or not. Such freedoms can never be the discretion of the president.
Norway citizens are far more armed than the Americans. The citizens carry even military grade assault rifle, yet the rate of gun violence is insignificant compared to America. The trigger point for the President threat on the executive order was the shooting at San Bernardino, which was determined to be terrorists in nature. Therefore, it would look like the president was suggesting the country could fight the terrorists better by disarming the public. Perhaps at this point, it is important to look at Republican candidate for the presidency (Donald Trump) asked. What if the victims at the time of the attack were armed? (Nakamura & Eilperin, 2016). Probably they could have defended themselves...