Should We Pull the Trigger On Guns?

So what's up with all the hooplah on guns right now?

Recent shootings, especially those in Aurora and Newtown have put gun control under fire--no pun intended heh. According to the Pew Research Society, Americans opinions on guns are changing. A new survey showed that 49% of Americans say that it's important to control gun ownership, compared to 42% who say that it's more important to protect the right to own guns. Though these numbers seem close in comparison, it's actually a pretty big deal considering this is the first time since President Obama took office that Americans have prioritized gun control. The aspects that play into these numbers have varying demographic differences which means there is a lot of different opinions out there. However, there are two groups that are clearly defined, those for and against gun control. 

Since our founding fathers, there has always been some debate on how literal the words in the second amendment should be taken. Seems pretty straight forward, right? If only it were that easy. Some hairy lingo in the amendment leaves a lot up for interpretation. Those that are for controlling firearms focus on "a well regulated militia" and believe this means that States can pass laws that restrict or prohibit the possession and carrying of firearms. On the contrary, those against gun control such as the National Rifle Society (NRA) say that the phrase "right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" makes it clear that those rights are still applicable today. If the right to bear arms is not held in tact, many opposing gun control say that the ability to maintain security as a "free state" is also lost.

What exactly does it mean to be "well regulated" though? How about "free state? Security?" These are all questions that legislatures are looking into as they try to find solutions that uphold the rights of our Constitution  better preserve and protect the lives of citizens, while also meeting the voice of democracy. 

This blog was created to show the different opinions and issues that go along with the hot topic debate about gun control. Using political cartoons, we will look at the way such topics are portrayed and framed. We selected comics that highlighted key organizations and figures in gun regulation and then organized them by the stance taken. On some cartoons we have included background information that we think will be helpful in understanding our personal analysis' of each comic. 

Feel free to click around and blast some gun lovin' tunes!

--The Fatal Five