By ERIC KRALJIC
Following a series of a mass shootings across the nation, President Barack Obama announced plans for an executive order that aims to reduce gun violence, causing Americans to question the role of guns in society.
During a televised press conference on Jan.4, an emotional Obama recalled the tragedies of Newtown, Aurora, and San Bernardino that sparked controversy nationwide regarding gun control regulations. Obama proposed an executive order to include stricter background checks, increased mental health treatment, and more stringent qualifications in acquiring a firearm.
In a press release issued by The White House, they found that “Over the past decade in America, more than 100,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence—and millions more have been the victim of assaults, robberies, and other crimes involving a gun,” which is why Obama believes his new restrictions will significantly decrease those numbers.
Firearm Advocates Enraged
Obama’s plans to reduce gun violence have called into question whether his new policies will make this country safer. The President even said that his proposals would not have stopped the mass shootings that have occurred or how the shooters acquired their weapons.
However, with fewer firearms available to the public, gun advocates believe citizens will not be able to protect themselves. According to the Bill of Rights, The Second Amendment states “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.” Meaning, citizens of this country not connected to the military have a right to own a firearm.
“I understand why people don’t want guns in society, but they are necessary in our protection. Without them, we will be more vulnerable,” said Kevin Alberque, a registered gun owner from New Jersey.
Obama’s executive order has caused an uproar from The National Rifle Association, one of the country’s biggest advocacy groups for firearms. In a statement released on their website, the group stated: “The NRA will continue to fight to protect the fundamental, individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms as guaranteed under our Constitution. We will not allow law-abiding gun owners to be harassed or intimidated for engaging in lawful, constitutionally-protected activity – nor will we allow them to become scapegoats for President Obama’s failed policies.”
Gun Restriction Supporters
While many gun advocates have opposed Obama’s new policies, he also has many supporters, who have praised his actions.
Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton expressed her satisfaction with the restrictions saying along the campaign trail: “I applaud the president for taking a hard look at that [gun safety], and I believe he will take some actions to require more gun sellers to do background checks.”
With the 2016 presidential election just months away, gun control will be a huge topic among registered voters. Kacey Lyzell, a senior at Ramapo, thinks guns need to be outlawed. “I’m most likely going to vote for Hillary because of her stance on guns, there is no place for them in society,” said Lyzell.
The increase in mass shootings in the U.S. has caused citizens to be worried about their own safety. With Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders agreeing on the gun restrictions put in place by Obama, both of them will look to decrease the amount of guns in America.
Meanwhile, all of the Republican Presidential nominees have said they will repeal any restrictions on guns that were put in place by Obama. Republican Candidate Ted Cruz called the executive order “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Obama has said his policy “will potentially save lives and spare families the pain and the extraordinary loss they’ve suffered as a consequence of a firearm getting in the hands of the wrong people.”
AUDIO: Listen to Ramapo senior Carly Shurba and her stance on gun’s in society:
From this article, I learned that more than 100,000 people have been killed due to acts of gun violence in the past decade in America.
This article is more of an issue focusing on the public’s reactions to Obama’s announcement. I think the set up is effective in showing both sides of the story, as you include quotes from people who support it and individuals who oppose it.
The audio clip adds another dimension to the story, but I wish I heard a more compelling perspective about why we should or should not support gun control regulations. I also think it would be great to add a small video clip of Obama’s speech, perhaps the moment he teared up.
I think that gun control is definitely a major talking point in politics today and it’s something we all need to have an opinion on. As a result, this article helps to inform the reader on the statistics behind Obama’s actions.