As I was on in the car with my friend on the way to Springfield, I noticed the “Guns Save Lives” signs. Personally, I am from the city, and there is guns are for the police and gang members. I disagreed with the sign, but my friend said that they need guns on farms to protect their property. I argued that people, regardless of whether or not they lived on a farm, should not be forced to protect themselves with guns. To which she had a clutch reply that if the bad guys had guns, then the people would be defenseless against them. So, with that mind set, should the government give everyone guns to protect themselves from the bad guys?
Assuming that the signs were lined up on someone’s farm, they have the right to do what they want on their property as long as no one gets hurt. I wondered if it was constitutional for them to be able to put them up overlooking a highway. Anyone who drives down this highway is forced to look at the sign. I am all about a free marketplace of ideas, but what if I can’t just look away as discussed in the Paris Adult Theater I v. Slaton. These people are maintaining their second amendment right that says, “the right of the people to bear arms shall not be infringed.” I would argue that this may be a strict interpretation of the law. At the time of the forefathers, the purpose of this law was to allow them to protect their property from delinquents. Yet, in the time of our forefathers, they did not have to deal with urban gangs and school shootings. The message on the highway could be interpreted as nothing, but it can also be an advertisement to children.
Remembering Columbine, there were a lot of issues revolving around the shooting: bullying, goth culture, video games, and gun control. A recent article stated that it has become easier for people to bear arms in the past ten years. Texas is trying to make a law that allows college students to bring firearms to class so if a shooting like the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech happens, they can shoot the shooter. WHAT?!?! First off, the average person probably sucks at aiming. Second, can you imagine the consequences of drunk college kids having guns? What is wrong with people? Times have changed. What the second amendment secured for us in the days of our forefathers is not the same for us today, but it seems like we are not progressing the times.
It has been a difficult issue to address, especially with America’s gun culture. The issue is not going anywhere, school shootings have become a commodity. The Supreme Court has only taken 2 gun-control cases in the past 70 years. To indulge my neoliberal side, I think that the government could do us a favor and remove those Guns Save Lives posters and replace them with anti-violence and tolerance posters.
Indeed, guns kill people. I do not necessarily agree with the argument that people kill people while guns merely protect people. If guns weren't so accessible, it'd be more difficult for people to commit violent acts. I think the reasons for the Second Amendment are irrelevant today. We aren't involved in a war with any foreign soldiers threatening to storm into our living quarters. But I think that it is necessary to make the connection with the protection of violent video games under the First Amendment. Are we basically socializing American citizens into violent individuals ready to kill at the wake of a moment? And then we get all up in arms when someone goes into a school and shoots his fellow classmates? Are we unable to make the connection? I do not necessarily believe that those billboards in favor of guns should be removed. Whenever I drive down the highway en route to Chicago, I come across similar signs. Usually, my friends in the car and I start a conversation on gun control and attempt to reevaluate the issue from all sides. I do not believe in right or wrong answers thus discussion is necessary to highlight the gray material in between. Why are we so adamant about having access to guns? Who are we being led to believe we need protection from? The answers to these questions will surely lead us in the right direction on tougher gun control laws.
Indeed, guns kill people. I do not necessarily agree with the argument that people kill people while guns merely protect people. If guns weren't so accessible, it'd be more difficult for people to commit violent acts. I think the reasons for the Second Amendment are irrelevant today. We aren't involved in a war with any foreign soldiers threatening to storm into our living quarters. But I think that it is necessary to make the connection with the protection of violent video games under the First Amendment. Are we basically socializing American citizens into violent individuals ready to kill at the wake of a moment? And then we get all up in arms when someone goes into a school and shoots his fellow classmates? Are we unable to make the connection?
ReplyDeleteI do not necessarily believe that those billboards in favor of guns should be removed. Whenever I drive down the highway en route to Chicago, I come across similar signs. Usually, my friends in the car and I start a conversation on gun control and attempt to reevaluate the issue from all sides. I do not believe in right or wrong answers thus discussion is necessary to highlight the gray material in between. Why are we so adamant about having access to guns? Who are we being led to believe we need protection from? The answers to these questions will surely lead us in the right direction on tougher gun control laws.