The Candidates and where they Stand

When it comes to gun control it became pretty clear that Barack Obama has a strong stance on the when and how of why guns (to be specific hand guns) should be banned. He has stood solid on this issue but has been considered misleading when it comes to this topic, but from my research it’s clear that overall he is against guns. Some of his past stances are as follows: Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008), FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008), Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008), Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008), 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007), Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007), Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007), Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006), Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban. (Oct 2004), Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998), Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005). (Some websites that I was able to locate are http://www.ontheissues.org/Gun_Control.htm#Barack_Obama, http://www.reason.com/news/show/125180.html, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/oct/16/20031016-104703-1418r/, http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/14/copy/askus14.ART_ART_10-14-08_A1_G1BJK2I.html?adsec=politics&sid=101.)
As far as John McCain he is heavenly endorsed by the NRA, so if I had to give an overall stance as it pertain to his feelings on gun bans, he is definitely in favor of gun freedom. This is evident from his history of voting. His stances are as follows: I know how to use guns; but I don't own one. (Nov 2007), Prosecute criminals, not citizens for gun ownership. (Sep 2007), Don't hold gun manufacturers liable for crimes. (Sep 2007), Opposes restrictions on assault weapons and ammunition types. (Sep 2007), Calls for GOP "tolerance" of closing gun show loopholes. (May 2002), Ban cheap guns; require safety locks; for gun show checks. (Aug 1999), Supports ban on certain assault weapons. (Aug 1999), Voted against Brady Bill & assault weapon ban. (Aug 1999), Guns are a problem, but so are violent web sites & videos. (Aug 1999), Punish criminals who abuse 2nd Amendment rights. (May 1999), Youth Violence Prevention Act restricts guns for kids. (May 1999), Repeal existing gun restrictions; penalize criminal use. (Jul 1998), Voted YES on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005), Voted YES on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004), Voted NO on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999), Voted YES on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999), Voted YES on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999), Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998), Ban gun registration & trigger lock law in Washington DC. (Mar 2007), Allow firearms in National Parks. (Feb 2008). (Some websites that I used were http://www.nationalplatforms.com/candidates/john_mccain.html#gun_control, http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Talk/talk.politics.guns/2008-02/msg01237.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_John_McCain, http://www.helium.com/knowledge/143137-john-mccain-on-gun-control-issues.)

I believe that it is every human beings right to own a gun so even though I side with Barack Obama on most of the other issues, on this one I on McCains’s side. I feel that it is a right so the government has a duty to respect it instead of trying to make the rules stricter. Coming from Detroit I’ve personally seen people killed that would have quite possible made it if they were armed legally. And I say legally because I want to make it clear that I am not saying that everyone should get a gun by any means necessary. I feel that if a person has not committed any violent felonies that they should by the law be able to go through the proper procedure for getting a gun. The opposing view is that basically if there more guns there is going to be more violence. When the reality of it is if the government starts to ban guns they will actually cause the rate of crimes and deaths to go up, because they have, and always will be a part of the American culture.