Gun control debates have been taking place in Washington D.C. in early 2013 due to shootings that have taken place throughout the country. There are varying viewpoints coming from conservatives and liberals. On Aug. 1, Senate Democrats “abandoned efforts to pass a law this year expanding background checks for gun purchases — dealing a new setback to the drive for tougher gun laws after the Newtown school massacre,” says a New York Daily News article.Obama called for a gun control vote in his State of the Union address on Feb. 12 and followed up three days later with a speech on shooting violence in his murder-plagued hometown of Chicago."I urge Congress to move on other areas that have support of the American people — from requiring universal background checks to getting assault weapons off our streets — because we need to stop the flow of illegal guns to criminals,” said Obama.Republicans do not agree with Obama’s restrictions. According to the Washington Post in an article entitled, “Republicans are open to gun control. But not President Obama’s gun control plan,” writes Scott Clement. “One potential reason for Republicans’ rejection of the new proposals is principle. Obama unveiled a broad slate of new gun restrictions, and the vast majority of Republicans oppose stricter gun control laws (in general), according to a December Post-ABC poll. While polls found Republicans are open to specific gun control measures, they may be less open to a comprehensive approach.”“A majority of respondents to an Associated Press-GfK poll indicated support for his proposals when his name wasn't attached to them — 84 percent in favor of standard background checks, 55 percent favoring a ban on military-style rapid-fire guns and 51 percent supporting a ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines holding 10 or more bullets,” reports AP.James Devuyst, a permanent resident from Canada and a sophomore studying business finance, stated that Laie “seems like a safe place. There is not a large need for guns.” But he continued, “because you don’t need something doesn’t mean it should not be allowed.”“It’s complicated. Personally I don’t agree with government being involved in regulating the Constitution.” In reference to previous gun crimes Devuyst added, “There will always be a glaring problem. People who do these things don’t have any regard for the law.”
Writer: Tucker Grimshaw~Multimedia Journalist
