Political Parties Paper

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says that "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. Congress continues to debate the efficacy and constitutionality of federal regulations of firearms and ammunition. Various federal laws have been enacted since 1934 to promote such regulations. Opposition to federal controls is strong, Gun control opponents deny that federal policies keep firearms out of the hands of high-risk persons; rather, they argue, controls often create burdens for law-abiding citizens and infringe upon constitutional rights provided by the Second Amendment. Some argue further that widespread gun ownership is one of the best deterrents to crime as well as to potential tyranny, whether by gangs or by government.   Federal Regulation of Firearms; as stated in the Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended, the purpose of federal firearm regulation is to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement in the ongoing effort to reduce crime and violence. In the same act, however, Congress also stated that the intent of the law is not to place any undue or unnecessary burdens on law-abiding citizens in regard to the lawful acquisition, possession, or use of firearms for hunting, trapshooting, target shooting, personal protection, or any other lawful activity
The National Rifle Association has made its position clear, even amid America's most recent gun debate. It says enforce the gun laws already on the books. It's well-known that the organization has actively lobbied to prevent new legislation limiting guns. But making this happen is more nuanced than just rallying its supporters and lobbyists every time a new law is proposed. Since the 1990s, the powerful pro-gun NRA has targeted the heart of what most legislation is based on: studies about the effects of gun violence.(www.nra.org) The NRA used its influence in Florida to push through legislation that would punish doctors if they asked patients whether they owned a gun....