Sandy Hook. Those two tragic words have now sparked a debate throughout America about the safety of not only schools and children, but for every single citizen. The massacre that left an entire community devastated has given way to the central argument of which is safer: more guns or less?
The debate largely centers on President Barack Obama’s push to reform the nation’s current gun policy. Obama originally brought forth his intentions during a prayer vigil five days after the shootings at Sandy Hook.
“I’ve asked the vice president to lead an effort that includes members of my Cabinet and outside organizations to come up with a set of concrete proposals no later than January — proposals that I then intend to push without delay,” Obama stated. “This is a team that has a very specific task, to pull together real reforms right now.”
By pushing for different gun reform bills, the president is hoping to help ease the amount of violence in America. People simply should not have to worry about sending their kids to day care or walking down the street late at night. Stories like Sandy Hook seem to jar people back to the reality the world is not always a safe and cozy place.
Vice President Joe Biden, who also helped spearhead a 1994 crime bill to reduce violent crimes in the country, is also playing a major role in the push for gun control. Recently at a stop in Virginia, Biden met with experts and public officials on the topic, including many who served on a review panel after the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007.
Measures of the proposed legislation would include a ban on military-style assault weapons,as well as pushing for better mental health resources and programs. In doing so, the president hopes to end the gun and violence epidemic which has seemed to plague America in recent years.
If this legislation is passed without significant cuts or compromise, gun violence in effect should decline. Mandating background checks will help citizens know that guns are in safe hands, at least until that point, and limiting magazine clips and ammunition should help prevent any mass shootings in the foreseeable future. By limiting guns and placing bans, it will also help curb any situations where people who have guns feel the need to use them, such as taking the law into their own hands.
However, the battle is far from being complete for the Obama administration. Thousands of gun owners and gun rights groups across the country are thoroughly upset with the new proposed measures. The administration is not attempting to eliminate all weapons, although some still view the situation as a slippery slope, which could eventually lead to the elimination of firearms.
Critics of the proposed legislation also contend that equipping school guards with weapons and by allowing everyone to have concealed carry would lower the amount of violence in the country. Sensibly, people would not fire upon people who are also armed, and especially in a group due to the very real possibility of gunfire being returned.
One of the key players in opposing Obama is the NRA. The organization that deems itself as the first and foremost protectors of the Second Amendment feel like those freedoms will soon be infringed upon. NRA President Wayne LaPierre called Obama an “elitist hypocrite” as well as some other harsh words.
“He doesn’t understand you. He doesn’t agree with the freedoms you cherish,” LaPierre said. “If the only way he can force you to give ‘em up is through scorn and ridicule, he’s more than willing to do it, even as he claims the moral high ground.”
While the concept of fighting fire with fire is applauded by pro-gun advocates the exact opposite effect of what is intended could also occur. There is no way to completely eliminate all gun violence and be completely safe, but one way or another America needs to find a way to take a step in the right direction.