The NRA's Position on Gun Control

Arguments are complex as well as prone to misunderstanding. It is for this reason that different conceptual models or maps have been developed to help in the analysis of arguments. Policy maps are very helpful in representing complex arguments. Typically, arguments are composed of seven elements: "Claim, C, information, I, warrant, W, backing, B, objection, O, rebuttal, R, and qualifier, Q” (Dunn, 2018). The aim of analyzing an argument is to uncover the logical structure of the argument. Other purposes of argumentative analysis include identifying unstated assumptions and evaluating the support an argument offers for a conclusion. More to this is that argumentative analysis aid in the understanding of debates. A current issue that is regarded as the most divisive in the United States is the issue of gun control. The debate on gun control has been raging since the 1960s when gun rights in the United States blossomed as a national political issue (Schuppe, 2018). Since then, the issue of gun control has led to lobbying campaigns, Congressional standoffs, as well as large public demonstrations (Schuppe, 2018). The legislature of the United States continues to debate the abilities to produce a desired or intended result. More to this is that the United States legislature continues to debate abilities to produce constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition. Since the issue became controversial in the 18 th century, various federal laws have been enacted to promote such regulation. One of the federal laws that were enacted is The National Firearms Act of 1934 (The Washington Post, n.d). This federal law was passed mainly to curb prohibition-era crime by ensuring that people do not possess certain lethal weapons. Following the prominent acts of violence, congressional action to control the possession of lethal weapons has peaked. Gun control advocates argue that the federal laws on gun control curb access to lethal weapons by criminals, juveniles, and other "high-risk" individuals. One group which advocates for gun control is the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV). According to the CSGV, federal measures help reduce the possession of lethal weapons by gangsters as well as reduce the availability of guns (Shippensburg University Online Library, n.d). Gun control advocates seek broad policy changes such as the registration of all firearms or firearm owners. Another policy change that gun control advocates, such as CSGV, seek is near-prohibition of non-police handgun ownership. According to the CSGV, there are no constitutional barriers, as well as not high social costs for implementing gun control measures. However, it is vital to note that there is strong opposition to federal control. There are numerous opponents to gun control. One such proponent is the National Rifle Association (NRA). According to the proponents of gun control, federal laws on gun control often create complications for law-abiding citizens. More to this is that the laws infringe upon their constitutional rights provided by the Second Amendment of the U.S. constitution. Another argument put forward by the proponents of gun control is that widespread gun ownership deters crime and potential tyranny. The arguments put forward by the NRA stakeholder is the most plausible. The NRA believes that gun control creates a complication for citizens that are law-abiding when it comes to protecting themselves from criminals. The NRA also believes that gun ownership deters crime. According to Schwartz (2008), the strength of the NRA in many states makes it difficult for states to discuss laws targeting illegal guns. NRA is very powerful in the sense that it has many supporters and a huge lobbying budget. More to this is that the NRA has a strong youth group raising a new generation of members. The NRA has taken center stage when it comes to opposing the federal's plans to enact new gun control laws. It is vital to note that the NRA has had several legislative victories when it comes to opposing the enactment of federal laws on gun control. It is vital to note that there are NRA-backed laws that have been signed into law. 

There are numerous stakeholders who affect or are affected by this issue on gun control. It is vital to note that some of these stakeholders are proponents of gun control, while others are opponents of gun control. It is also vital to note that there are some stakeholders that are neutral on this issue. One of the stakeholders that are neutral on the issue of gun control is the American Firearm Association (AFA). The AFA neither affiliates itself with proponents or opponents of gun control, but some of the views coincide with those of the proponents or opponents of gun control. Basically, the AFA stands a neutral ground when it comes to the issue of gun control in the United States. 

One of the opponents of gun control is the NRA. According to the NRA, more guns equal more freedom. According to the CEO of NRA, LaPierre, citizens ought to take whatever measures necessary, such as force, to abolish an oppressive government (Horwitz & Anderson, 2009). The NRA argues that possession of arms by citizens is the only way to keep centralized authority in check. This unfettered access to firearms deters crime and potential tyranny. Proponents of gun control include the CSGV and Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (BCPGV) (Shippensburg University Online Library, n.d). The CSGV believes that the possession of lethal weapons by citizens allows criminals to buy guns from unlicensed dealers, leading to increased crimes. According to the CSGV, federal measures help reduce the possession of lethal weapons (Shippensburg University Online Library, n.d). For this reason, SCGV seeks broad policy changes such as the registration of all firearms or firearm owners. BCPGV works to pass, enforce, and protect sensible laws as well as public policies that are designed to address gun violence in the United States (Shippensburg University Online Library, n.d). The organization achieves this by engaging as well as activating the American public that supports the enactment of gun laws. More to this is that CSGV elects officials that support common-sense gun laws. The organization also educates people on matters relating to gun ownership, such as the risks of gun ownership, thus increasing public awareness on gun violence (Shippensburg University Online Library, n.d). Other activities in which the BCPGV engages in include honoring the victims of gun violence, passing sensible laws, developing and implementing extensive public safety programs, and inspiring safer attitudes and behaviors. The line graph did not flatten. This is because of the controversy surrounding the issue. Arguably, gun control is one of the most controversial topics, and this issue is diving the United States. To some, the answer is to enact federal laws to restrict legal access to firearms while to others, reducing legal access to guns limits the ability of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves. The U.S. government is planning to pass bills to strengthen gun control. According to (Rucker & O’Keefe, 2013), during the administration of President Barrack Obama, the President tried to sign executive orders and promote plans that focused on conducting a universal background check for all individuals who buy guns. More to this, the President imposed a ban on military-style assault weapons as well as a ban on ammunition magazines holding bullets exceeding ten (Rucker & O’Keefe, 2013). However, the Congress halted President Obama’s proposed plans on gun control because of the outcry from Congressional Republicans. Because of the stubborn adherence of the Congress, the debate on gun control will continue to be more controversial in the United States. 

Conclusion 

The issue of gun control is very sensitive and has been a subject of discussion for years. The issue has polarized individuals and the government in regard to what is the best solution given the increase in tragic mass shootings. On the one hand, some individuals argue that federal laws should be passed to restrict access to guns. On the other hand, some individuals argue that guns should not be regulated or controlled because they believe gun control will not solve existing challenges, which include crimes and mass shootings. 

From the arguments presented, it is evident that gun control does not deter crime. Thus, states need to implement effective strategies to end criminal acts and mass shootings instead of using the method of gun control. Restraining mass shootings require other interventions beyond gun control. Passing federal laws to restrict access to a gun is less effective in solving this crisis. 

References 

Dunn, W. (2018). Public policy analysis: An integrated approach. New York, NY; Routledge –Taylor & Francis 

Horwitz, J., & Anderson, C. (2009).  Guns, democracy, and the insurrectionist idea . University of Michigan Press. 

Rucker, P., & O'Keefe, E. (2013). Obama's far-reaching gun-proposals face an uncertain fate in divided Congress. [Online]. Retrieved February 8, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-unveils-gun-control-proposals/2013/01/16/58cd70ce-5fed-11e2-9940-6fc488f3fecd_story.html 

Schuppe, J. (2018). What is gun control? Everything you need to know. [Online]. Retrieved February 8, 2020, from https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/smart-facts/what-gun-control-n858071 

Schwartz, E. (2008). In Congress, the Uphill Battle for Gun Control. U.S. News & World Report, 144(8), 41-43. 

Shippensburg University Online Library. (n.d). Advocacy organizayions –Gun control and gun rights. [Online]. Retrieved February 8, 2020, from http://library.ship.edu/c.php?g=21651&p=126895 

The Washington Post. (n.d). History of gun-control legislation. [Online]. Retrieved February 8, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/history-of-gun-control-legislation/2012/12/22/80c8d624-4ad3-11e2-9a42-d1ce6d0ed278_story.html