Abstract Gun control continues to be one of the most contentious issues in both U.S. politics and public debate. This annotated bibliography concerns itself with a number of texts touching on the gun control debate. For each of the selected resources, this discussion will interrogate the actual issues discussed therein, the reliability of the information presented, and the relevance of the said resources.
Gun Control
The debate on whether or not strict gun control laws should be enacted has been raging for years. While proponents of the said laws have in the past linked gun ownership to escalating crime, advocates of gun control are convinced that guns are an effective deterrent against acts of criminality. So, does gun control really result in decreased rates of crime? My take is that as the drafters of the Second Amendment intended, citizens should be permitted to bear guns for their own safety, and by extension, that of the entire American society. In this text, I develop an annotated bibliography based on a variety of resources on gun control.
Barrett, Paul. "After Connecticut: Guns, Gun Control, and Gun Culture." Bloomberg Business Week, 2012. Web. 28 November 2013 < http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-12-14/after-connecticut-guns-gun-control-and-gun-culture>
The article starts with the unfortunate massacre of 26 people in Bucolic Newtown, Conn. approximately one year ago. According to Barrett, the author of this particular article, this incident is a "reminder that America is a gun culture." In the opinion of the author, the enactment of gun control laws would do nothing to stop or limit instances of mass shootings.
This article will come in handy as I seek to discredit the efficiency as well as relevance of gun control laws in crime management. In that regard, therefore, the relevance of this article cannot be overstated when it comes to the further enhancement of my pro-gun stance. It will also help me to formulate some practical solutions that should be taken into consideration in place of stricter gun controls. Business Week is a reliable source of information. In that regard, therefore, this article can be regarded both factual and reliable.
Crooker, Constance E. Gun Control and Gun Rights. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003. Print.
I selected this book because if clearly addresses the two main arguments with regard to the Second Amendment. According to Crooker, the author, gun control advocates have in the past pointed out that the said Amendment is only applicable in relation to an individual's participation in a militia, which in the author's opinion is the current National Guard. On the other hand, gun advocates as the author further points out "believe the Second Amendment guarantees broad protection of an individual's rights to keep and carry guns of all types."
Even in advancing my pro-gun arguments, I will need to cite opposing arguments that have been floated by others in the past with regard to gun control. This will demonstrate my awareness of opposing views. Crooker has in the past authored and co-authored a variety of books on various contentious issues.
Doherty, Brian. Gun Control on Trial: Inside the Supreme Court Battle Over the Second Amendment. Washington, D.C: Cato Institute, 2008. Print.
As I have already pointed out elsewhere in this text, there has been debate over the actual meaning of the Second Amendment. This is more so the case with regard to the meaning of militia. With gun control being one of the nation's most debated issues, there is a need to familiarize oneself with a resource that critically evaluates rulings that have been made by the Supreme Court in the past and the legal implications of the said rulings. Doherty's book is one such resource.
This particular text will be of great relevance as I seek to derive the legal basis of the right of the citizens of this great nation to bear and keep arms. Establishing the legal basis of gun ownership rights will be of great value in this case as I seek to further reinforce my pro-gun arguments. Doherty is an author of many other books on a variety of issues -- both political and legal.
Goldberg, Jeffrey. "The Case for More Guns (and More Gun Control)." The Atlantic, 2012. Web. 29 November 2013 < http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/12/the-case-for-more-guns-and-more-gun-control/309161/2/>
In this article, Goldberg presents a fascinating view of the issue at hand. He claims that to reduce the escalating instances of gun violence, we need to allow more people to own or bear firearms. People in support of stricter gun control laws have in the past presented viewpoints in direct contrast to what Goldberg suggests.
This is yet another article that will come in handy as I seek to support my pro-gun position. The reliability of the article is in this case enhanced by its objective presentation of information and the good reputation of the publication carrying the story, i.e. The Atlantic.
Johnson, Jeff. "Can Computer Professionals and Digital Technology Engineers Help Reduce Gun Violence?" Communications of the ACM 56.3 (2013): 35-37. Print.
In the past, quite a number of solutions have been floated all in an attempt to rein in the prevalent misuse of guns. In this particular article, Jason offers a raft of proposals that haven't been taken into consideration. He is of the opinion that digital technology can be used to significantly reduce instances of gun violence. Although some of the proposals he offers in this case seem far ahead of their time, they are largely achievable.
As I voice my support for gun ownership, it will be prudent to propose solutions to the problem of gun violence. Some of the solutions Johnson offers in his article will feature prominently in my discussion. Johnson is both an author and a professional in IT. His opinions are therefore largely factual.
You’re 82% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.