Gun Control

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOFOFZxfiDc - Obama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzhbf-qKN98 - Trump

I have selected these two videos as they are both two entirely different opinions on the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights. Both from opposing ends of the political spectrum.

The first video features current President Barack Obama discussing how the Second Amendment has been a huge problem throughout his term. I feel as if he would have abolished guns if he had the chance judging by his tone of voice throughout the video. However, due to his political persuasion he would meet massive backlash from Americans who own guns (39% at last count in 2012). This number is extraordinarily large given the US is the country people look at in terms of being a haven for those fleeing oppressed nations and crime, like it was when the Pilgrims first landed. Obama discusses being able to do things differently without the Second Amendment in place. Instead the reason people blame for mass shootings is mental health. Which is a favoured excuse of those who are pro Second Amendment. Even when Obama called for tighter controls on who can own a firearm he received a massive backlash. What I find the most interesting is that during Obama's reign as President, those who are part of the NRA have grown from 3 million in 2008 to 4.5 million by the end of 2013. Which means even though Obama advocates change and is receiving support for it, those who oppose him grow as well.

The second video features President-elect Donald Trump after the Oregon shootings in early October 2015. While being a knee-jerk reaction to the events, it is evident that Trump is very pro Second Amendment. He advocates he would want teachers in schools to be armed as well as other employees in schools to stop this type of event occurring again. My first thoughts are that this is a very typical Republican response. Trump has also been on record as saying that more guns would make America a safer place.

The Second Amendment is one that diversifies opinion. Originally introduced as a method of maintaining peace during a time of radical change. However now in the 21st Century, I only seem to hear bad stories of gun violence in America, not once have I heard of a story with a happy ending that involves guns. However many Americans look past this, they may never need to use the guns, but the fact it's so easy to purchase a firearm, is making more and more people uncomfortable. Resistance to change is so strong however, so strong that Piers Morgan lost his job at CNN for being a slightly radical activist.