2008 Woodie Awards
Both sides of the gun
Two editors discuss the controversies of weapon control
Rachel Nelson
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: Religion & Politics
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The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants Americans the right to bear arms. Images of Ted Nugent and Charleton Heston flash through my mind when guns are related to the red, white and blue, and rightfully so. Those proud gun owners are exercising their rights as U.S. citizens.
The National Rifle Association's official Web site, www.nra.org, provides state and federal laws relating to guns.
The Texas Constitution states in Article 1, Section 23,"Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime."
Texas is one of the more liberal states when it comes to gun control. That's one of the many reasons I'm proud to live in the Lone Star State. A person is not required to have a permit to purchase a rifle, shotgun or handgun, nor does anyone have to have a permit to carry a rifle or a shotgun. Permits are, however, required to carry handguns.
Of course, some regulations are in place, and they should be. For example, as the Web site explains, "It is unlawful to sell, rent, loan or give a handgun to any person if it is known that the person intends to use it unlawfully.
"It is unlawful to knowingly sell, rent, give or offer to sell, rent or give any firearm to a person under 18 years of age, without the written consent of his parent or guardian. It is unlawful to knowingly or recklessly sell any firearm or ammunition to any person who is intoxicated."
There also are restrictions on possession of a firearm placed on persons convicted of a felony or a Class A misdemeanor.
Those regulations are good, but I appreciate the fact that Texas doesn't try to dictate every aspect of gun ownership.
Guns don't kill people; it is the person pulling the trigger who is responsible for what the gun does.
When the government is able to start taking away the rights our founding fathers intended us to have, there really is no limit on what they can do to overpower any area of our liberties.
Guns aren't the problem in this country, but the violent mentalities of people are. Until that problem is solved, violence will continue, whether it be by gunfire or otherwise.
A good start would be for Hollywood, the media and video game makers to dilute the constant scenes of violence they force upon us in our everyday lives.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
John
posted 2/23/07 @ 7:10 PM CST
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution DOES NOT "grant" Americans the right to bear arms. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution RECOGNIZES that PEOPLE have the right to bear arms, and PROTECTS this pre-existing right from federal infringement. (Continued…)
mitchshrader
mitchshrader
posted 2/24/07 @ 5:21 AM CST
I think that many of the misconceptions about guns are lack of experience and no more. I suspect that people who know nothing of guns except what they see on television have MANY wrong ideas about guns. (Continued…)
phat shantz
posted 2/24/07 @ 7:04 PM CST
Ms. Nelson,
There are far fewer "rants" regarding your perspective on the "right to keep and bear arms" than for your co-editress, Ms. Wray. Still, there appear rough edges around your knowledge and philosophy of human rights where human liberty is concerned. (Continued…)
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