Conservative Response

This Month's Topic

Can there be common ground on Gun Control and the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution?

After years of losses in the courts, gun control opponents have finally won two major victories in the Supreme Court. The decisions the Supreme Court and the impacts of these decisions are still being argued between gun control advocates (generally liberal) and opponents (generally conservative). Can there be common ground on Gun Control and the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution?

With the recent Supreme Court decision on gun control in the District of Columbia and Chicago, the courts have reversed several lower court decisions that the government may impose strict gun controls. However, this decision did not eliminate all gun control laws. Both the District and Chicago are now grappling with the consequences. What laws will satisfy both the gun owners who threaten additional law suits and a majority of their citizens who want strict gun control to curb violence? What role will the United States Congress take in this process? Can liberals and conservatives find common ground?

Conservative Response:

Conservatives believe the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States guarantees every American the right to own and possess firearms. The Supreme Court has finally agreed and gun owners continue to chip away at gun control laws, either through the courts or through the legislature, throughout the United States from Arizona to Virginia.

For conservatives, the Second Amendment is sacrosanct. The right to bear arms is an individual right that is central to our American identity. From the very beginning of our nation, guns have played an important role to ensure the freedoms we hold dear in America. This right should NEVER be restricted for law-abiding citizens.

Although Conservatives don't fundamentally agree with background checks, we do agree that background checks are necessary to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Background checks, however, should not restrict access to guns for law-abiding citizens. Conservatives believe that strong penalties are required for criminal acts of violence with guns and there should be significant restrictions on convicted criminals obtaining weapons.

— Editor

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