This document discusses gun laws and violence in America. It notes that while guns can be used for self-defense, they are also commonly used to kill others. Over 30,000 people die from gun violence each year in America. The document examines laws around gun ownership and carrying concealed weapons in states like Florida. It acknowledges the debate around banning guns but also their usefulness for self-defense. In the end, it argues something needs to be done to keep guns out of the hands of criminals to reduce violence.

1. LETHAL PROTECTION
By Miranda VanCauwenberghs
Professor Mark Dekle
ENC 1101
Final Presentation

3. In America it is way to easy for anyone to own a gun. The laws are made to protect us and keep criminals away
from guns. But how do we stop them from walking down the street and buying a gun from their next door
neighbor? If you want to own a gun legally, you must not be a felon, unless your rights have been restored. You
can not be a drug addict, alcoholic, you may not be mentally incompetent. If a person has been issued a final
injunction that is currently in force and effect, restraining that person from committing acts of domestic violence
they can’t possess or use a gun. And you may not be under the age of 18, though you can use one with parents
consent. Once you buy a handgun you have to register it with the Department of Law Enforcement, this is how
they keep track of all guns. But do you think everyone registers their guns? Do you think everyone follows those
rules? No, they don’t.

4. In order to get a concealed weapons permit you must be at least 21 and a
citizen of the United States of America. You cannot suffer from a physical
infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a firearm. You cannot be a
convicted felon. You cannot have been convicted of a crime of violence,
committed for drug abuse or been convicted of a minor drug offense within a
three year period preceding the submission of the application. You cannot be
guilty even with a suspended sentence for a felony or misdemeanor crime of
domestic violence, unless three years has elapsed since probation or the
record is sealed or expunged. You cannot be under any injunction restraining
the applicant from acts of domestic violence or repeated acts of violence. has
not been adjudicated an incapacitated person, unless he has waited five years
from the date of his court-ordered restoration to capacity, or been committed to
a mental institution, unless he possesses a psychiatrist’s certificate that he has
not suffered from the disability for five years. You may not
be a habitual drunkard. You must demonstrate competence with a firearm by a
variety of means. The last rule, you must state that your desire a legal means
to carry a concealed weapon or firearm for lawful self-defense. But that does
not stop a criminal from carrying around their gun in the waistband of their
jeans, waiting for the prefect moment to use it?

5. On one side I am for guns. I think that they are great;
they keep people safe when they are used by
qualified people. But on the other side gun violence is
a daily occurrence in America. Kids are getting a hold
of guns, and innocent people are dying left and right.
Firearms are responsible for over 30,896 deaths in
America a year that is an average of 85 deaths due to
firearms each day. Homicides accounted for 41.4%
percent of the deaths due to firearms, and firearms
were used in 68.9% of homicides, and in 50.7% of
suicides committed in the U.S. year 2006.

6. In Florida use of a firearm, BB gun, air or
gas-operated guns, or electric weapons
or devices by a minor under the age of 16
is prohibited unless the minor is under the
supervision and in the presence of an
adult who is acting with the consent of
the minor’s parent. But still kids get a
hold of guns. The law in Florida says; It is
unlawful to store or leave a firearm in any
place within reach or easy access of a
person less than 18 years of age. I don’t
know how parents can let accidents with
their own guns happen to their kids, but it
happens all the time. In 2007, 5.2 % of
high school students in the U.S. said they
carried a gun in the past 30 days.

7. The United States of America is the land of the free,
so do I think they should ban guns? No way, I think
guns are great things when they are used by the right
people and are used for self-defense. Guns are used
2.5 million times a year in self-defense. Law-abiding
citizens use guns to defend themselves against
criminals as many as 2.5 million times every year—or
As many as 200,000 women use a gun every about 6,850 times a day. This means that each year,
year to defend themselves against sexual firearms are used more than 80 times more often to
abuse. A Research 2000 poll found that 85% protect the lives of honest citizens than to take lives.
of Americans would find it appropriate for a So how do we keep guns out of the hands of
principal or teacher to use "a gun at school criminals? That is the question that needs to be
answered. America needs to find a way to keep guns
to defend the lives of students" to stop a
out of the wrong hands.
school massacre. So a gun in the hand of
the right person can keep you safe. But it is
the hands of the bad guys we need to keep them out of, and we need to do something fast. You
never know when it is going to be you whose facing the barrel of a gun. I never thought I would be
that person, but not even a year ago I was. It is that experience that changed my mind on guns and
makes me argue that guns need to be kept a closer eye on and something needs to be done to
keep them out of the hands of criminals.

8. WORKS CITED
• Institute for Legislative Action, web page, http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-
laws/florida.aspx
• Women Against Gun Violence, web page, http://www.wagv.org/gun-violence.php
• Gun Owners of America, web page, http://gunowners.org/fs0404.htm