Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Pro Con

Media Credit: Julian Lim

It seems that since the words "the right to bear arms" were written down on a document that would later become this nations constitution there has been debate, argument, and controversy over the correct definition and meaning of such a loaded statement.

The facts have been tainted and buried in a cloud of rumors and skewed statistics formed by those who advocate gun rights instead of gun control. The National Rifle Association and its members use five words in their war cry, the same five words they plead with others to engrave onto their shields, "the right to bear arms". Like any powerful and large organization, they shout their war cries loudly and they hide behind their shields protectively.

It seems as if though the founding fathers did a sufficient job of foreseeing how well the constitution would carry through the ages, but not on this subject.

The gun control argument is not new to our ears especially because every time something happens on some distant city alleyway, some suburban household, or on a Virginia college campus, we are reminded that the debate over gun control is not going anywhere and that the status quo is not solving the problem.

The competition, those against gun control, who believe that guns are the solution to problems and not the cause, cling to the constitution. They know that once a man or a woman reads it and understands that such a power is given to them, they will not readily relinquish it, at least not without a fight. It becomes hard to remember that not all strength comes from holding on, some is needed in letting go --- but try telling that to an armed individual.

That's the problem with gun control, not that it shouldn't be established but that it's hard to get the word out, it's hard to find the truth and spread it. Gun control is losing the battle against gun rights not because gun rights are better for you but because the battle against the two is very one sided.

The Handgun Control Inc. is the largest gun control lobbying organization in the United States. According to Gun Control PAC contributions to federal candidates, from 199 to 1998 their political action committee gave $136,892 to democrats and $9,500 to Republicans. Its easy to see that their best efforts have been made to get the word out and to help with informing the public as well as protecting it through representatives. While it may seem like a sufficient amount, its nothing compared to the $1,330,111 dollars given to Republicans by the NRA.

Continued...

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