Individual Rights
Essays

The objective of this study is to determine whether gun control laws will serve to bring about a reduction in the number of homicides in the United States. Toward this end this study will conduct an extensive review of literature in this area of inquiry. This study has reviewed the most pertinent published reports on the effectiveness of gun control laws on reducing murder rates. The findings in this study unequivocally show that bans on gun ownership do not reduce homicide rates and in fact, bans on gun ownership appear to be effective at just the opposite or that being that bans on gun ownership result in higher homicide rates. The rationale stated in the studies reviewed for this phenomenon is that individuals committing crimes are deterred from those crimes by the thought that the victim of the crime may likely be in possession of a gun to protect themselves, their family and their property and that this fact deters many would-be criminals. Findings in this study additionally include that bans on gun ownership does not reduce the numbers of criminals who own guns but reduces instead the numbers of law abiding citizens who own guns which would explain the rationale for the reduction of crimes in states that do not have bans on gun ownership. In other words, in states where gun ownership is banned, law abiding citizens will abide by the law and be without the advantage of the protection of a gun whereas criminals, who do not abide by the laws and who have no regards for what is or is not legal, will purchase guns off of the black market and own a gun despite bans on gun ownership. Therefore, the outcome of laws that ban gun ownership seem to be that the individuals who need the gun to protect themselves, their family and their property are left defenseless against the criminal element who will own guns regardless of any laws banning gun ownership. In light of these findings it would be ludicrous and even counterproductive in fighting crime to remove guns from the hands of the law abiding citizenry since they are the ones most in need of guns to protect themselves, their family and their property from criminals who are already in possession of and who will continue to ensure that they own guns despite laws to the contrary.

Abortion is one of the most controversial topics of our day as it involves an entanglement of truly pressing issues that people generally feel incredibly passionate about: human life, religion, morality, and the rights of women. Historically, America has been a nation founded by and run by Caucasian men, which has meant that the bulk of legislation can be and has historically been harsh, unfair and unequal to women and minorities. Women (and minorities) have had to work harder and fight harder to receive rights that white men don't hesitate in giving themselves.

John Marshall was the greatest Puritan of them all. Puritans emphasized an individual relationship with God, and rejected organized religion's dogmas. Certainly, Puritans have long been against slavery.

From the beginning of the 19th Century, the criminal justice system has basically revolved between two models that are geared towards reducing crime through distinct approaches. As part of their different approach, the…

This report summarizes my experiences and impressions resulting from my month-long visit to the World State, primarily the city of London. My escort, Bernard Marx, introduced me to all aspects of their society and took…

Locke's Theories of "Property" & Taxation

There is a common notion that morality cannot be legislated. In fact, all laws tend to legislate some moral principle. This paper looks at the definition of morality, moral reasoning, and how laws that attempted to force unpopular morals on people failed. The factors relating to successful legislation and philosophical aspects of morallity are discussed

The constitution facilitates peaceful existence among citizens and government. This paper discusses due process and its application as outlined in the United States constitution. It features procedural due procedures, substantive due treatment and equal protection as applied in the related amendments. It provides a definition of due process as well as the existing differences.

¶ … individual rights vs. social responsibility. The writer discusses individual rights and what they mean. Then there is a discussion about how they interact and affect an individual's social responsibility.

Both Conard and Steinbeck allude to Marx's theory of capital accumulation, which holds that it cannot achieve a state of equilibrium, but must always be producing more capital. As a result, according to Marx, capital accumulation cannot be reformed into a system in which the needs of the masses are met. Steinbeck links the threat of eviction by the landlord to the big business interests in the East that are impervious to an appeal by the tenet—and all seems hopeless, except for a small spark of audacious hope fanned by the tenant, who remarks, "We've got a bad thing made by men, and by God, that's something we can change" (Steinbeck, 1939, p. 41).