GOA-Gun Control

By: James Sullivan and Doug Vigano

Homicides in the U.S.

Constitutional Rights

• By the Second amendment right all U.S. Citizens have the right to bear arms.

Interpretation of the 2nd Amendment

• Some believe that 2nd amendment was put in place to allow citizens to defend themselves against foreign invaders.

• On the other end of the spectrum there are those that believe that guns are the only way to maintain order and cut down on crime.

Federal Assault Weapons Ban

• The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, a federal law of the United States that included a prohibition on the sale to civilians of certain semi-automatic "assault weapons" manufactured after the date of the ban's enactment. The ten-year ban was passed by Congress on September 13, 1994 and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton the same day. The ban expired on September 13, 2004

Gun Related Homicides In D.C

Facts about the gun lobby

• There are 3 times as many pro-gun lobby groups as anti-gun groups.

• In 2006, gun rights political spending on lobbying totaled $3,000,000 versus gun control spending of $90,000 - a ratio of 33:1

Truths About Gun Violence

• Guns are a contributor for the high rates of prison violence due to their ease of acquisition.

Gun related homicides in Philadelphia

• http://inquirer.philly.com/graphics/homicide%5Fmap%5F2007/

• As homicide figures in other big cities fall, Philadelphia will once again experience more than 300 murders this year.

Causes of the Violence in Philadelphia

• What sets Philadelphia apart from other cities, say the police, politicians and academic experts, is the combination of high poverty — with 25 percent of the population living below the poverty line, the city has the highest rate among the 10 biggest cities, according to census data — a youth culture that increasingly settles minor disputes through violence and the easy availability of guns.

The CSGV

A non-partisan group of 45 organizations representing 100,000 individual members that was founded in 1974 to ban handguns and currently seeks to ban various semi-automatic firearms and to strengthen other gun control laws in the United States.

Brady Campaign

• The Brady Campaign works to enact and enforce sensible gun laws, regulations, and public policies through grassroots activism, electing public officials who support gun laws, and increasing public awareness of gun violence. The Brady Campaign is recognized in this country as a leading gun control advocacy organization and have helped spearhead gun-control legislation at state and national levels.

Gun Trafficking

• Illegal firearms are the third most profitable illegal act in the world, behind human trafficking and drugs.

What is being done

• On January 8th, 2008 George W. Bush sign an important gun law that strengthens pre existing laws and makes it harder for felons to obtain gun.

What you can do • Funding for gun control is

meager compared to what is spend on pro gun lobbies, make a donation.

• Voice your opinion on the importance of strict gun laws.

• Encourage others to seek reform in our country to adapt a new way of acquiring firearms.