We Need Gun Control Essays -- Argumentative Persuasive Topics

We Need Gun Control    Baton Rouge, Lousiana--October 17, 1992--8:30 P.M....A Japanese exchange student, Yoshihiro Hattori, was searching for a party he had been invited to. Thinking he had found the house in which the social would take place, Yoshihiro knocked on the door. Not knowing that they had the wrong house Yoshihiro and his companion startled the proprietor. After having the front door shut in their face the two boys began walking back to Yoshihiro's car. Yoshihiro Hattori and his friend, Webb Haymaker, then turned back towards the house upon hearing the carport door open behind them. Instead of seeing the party's host, these two boys were greeted by a " 'Freeze' " and a .44 Magnum-carrying Rodney Peairs. Yoshihiro, thinking he had found the party after all, stepped towards Mr. Peairs and said, " 'We're here for the party' ". Webb Haymaker then found himself standing over his dying friend, Yoshihiro Hattore, a victim of unintentional homicide. (Haymaker 26) Tragic incidents like this one seem to be becoming more and more common in modern America. The availability of a firearm was the direct cause of Yoshihiro's death. Likewise the availabilty of firearms in general is related to accidental, as well as intentional, homicide. The United States Congress should therefore limit or illegalize the sale, use and carrying of handguns and assualt weapons. The reasoning behind this statement is that I do not believe that these aformentioned weapons have a legitimate place in American society. Nor do I believe that the typical American is responsible enough to own one of these particular firearms. Conversely though, many Republicans view assault weapon and handgun restrictions as an infringement upon an American's rig... ...nd-held weapons available to them. " 'The greatest threat to our structure is the possession and sale of weapons in this society,' ". - Former President Jimmy Carter (Gerik 2) Works Cited Academic American Encyclopedia. "American Bill of Rights": Jan 1995, 128.83.216.11 Gerik, Melanie. "Carter stresses handgun control". The Daily Texan: March 7 1995, p1-2 Graves, Debbie. "Carter discusses guns, politics, peace in speach". Austin- American Statesman: March 7 1995, pB3 Haymaker, Holley G. "Another Magnum, another victim". The New York Times: Oct 31 1992, v144, p15(N) pA26(L) Ifill, Gwen. "Congress still torn on gun control by complex regional divisions". The New York Times: Oct 20 1991, v141, Sec. 1, p13(N) p19(L) Toner, Robin. "Senator Decides to Fight N.R.A.'s Fire With Fire". The New York Times: Oct 27 1994, v144, pA10(N) pA26(L)