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Bryson Michael
Professor C. Williams
English 1102-001
27 January 2013
Research Proposal: Draft 1
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to bear arms,
which defines a United States citizens ability to own a firearm. The ability to gain access to a firearm in
the United States is uncanny but why? The ownership of a firearm is common and available to the
majority of United States citizens. The reason can be depicted by various activities in which American
citizens partake, such as recreational shooting, hunting, through multiple professions, and even personal
protection.
Gun activist throughout the nation have fought to protect current regulations surrounding gun
laws and increase the availability of firearms to United States citizens. Various groups have sought to
inform regular citizens of gun rights and regulations in attempts to portray the bright side of gun
ownership. Regulations have been extended in the past to allow citizens the right to possess firearms of
certain class within their homes. Other regulations, extended in the past, have allowed citizens the right to
own firearms on their person for personal protection in public scenarios. The act of carrying a concealed
firearm has been titled concealed carry, which hold various guidelines different in each state. The most
shocking of additions added to concealed carry laws would be the extension of the areas in which
concealed carry permit holders may carry their firearms; the extension includes areas such as schools,
bars, and certain government properties. The importance of the following defines a key fundamental
factor of gun ownership; why is it important that citizens are permitted to carry or own a firearm? Gun
ownership has been established as a major demand for American citizens worth closer examination due to
the risks it holds. Therefore, lawmakers have taken the initiative to prevent accidents by increasing the
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severity of restrictions and regulation on the availability to firearms. The height of recent incidents
involving firearms has led officials questioning whether citizens should be granted the ability to own a
firearm. Groups have congregated in opposition of the growing demand for firearms. The opposition have
explained the desire for creating stricter laws to weed out certain individuals of society from owning a
firearm. The two opposing sides have deadlocked in a constant battle over the issue of gun ownership
therefore leading to one simple question; is gun ownership a fundamental right?
Purpose
The issue of gun ownership holds important meaning to various individuals; the purpose of my
research holds true to the views between contrasting sides of the issue. The importance of this position
explains the constant debate revolving the issue of whether a citizen should be given the right to own a
firearm. A firearms activist may answer by exerting his opinion of why guns are important for the
protection of American citizens. The topic may arise, what makes a sheriff, bearing a badge indicating his
position, different from a responsibly informed citizen carrying a gun? Why is it visually appealing to see
a cop bearing a gun rather than a concealed carry permit holder? In reality, the concealed carry permit
holder, who has passed various regulations to carry a firearm, may handle a gun similarly to the cop, or
the sheriff. The difference is the conduct in which the two bear the firearm carried. For example, a sheriff
carries more legal jurisdiction than a concealed carry permit holder; the sheriff may carry out the law but
a concealed carry permit holder may only use their firearm for personal protection. This poses issues for
individuals against concealed carry laws. Gun ownership may be portrayed in a different perspective as
well, such as, if a sheriff is carrying a gun to protect American citizens then why does a citizen need a
concealed carry permit? The question poses more debate on a citizens right to own a firearm within the
setting of a home. Those fighting to prevent the ownership of a gun debate that with current increases in
firearm related incidents the availability of owning a firearm, for any reason, should be restricted, or at
least strictly regulated.
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The following information supports the views and opinions of individuals for and against the
ownership of a firearm. The two major positions debated over when considering gun ownership are
should citizens be granted the right to own a gun? And what are the limits in which a gun owner may bear
their firearm? The conflict is based on morality and the bias of opinions; I have found interest in the
conflict that rages between the two sides debating on whether gun ownership is a fundamental right
therefore the research I shall conduct will qualify the two positions and their relevance to the concept.
Method
I shall conduct research related to my topic using historical background archival work, note
taking, and annotating scholarly journals and books related to my topic. The research conducted through
historical background work will help in accurately relaying an understandable background on past views
related to present views on the topic of gun ownership. The best method in which I shall plan the writing
of my paper will include creating flow charts to accurately relay cohesive information that portrays the
views and opinions on the idea of gun ownership.
Implications
The significance of my study of fundamental gun ownership for the American citizen is to create
an understanding between the controversial concepts between whether gun ownership should be deemed a
fundamental right for every American citizen. The positions that shall provide better understanding into
the situation shall be centered around the historical background of gun ownership, the statistical analysis
of gun related incidents and individuals battling against gun ownership, and finally the views of
individuals battling for the right of gun ownership for all American citizens. The following conveys that
research conducted on the topic I have chosen will relay a claim of value.
The information that I have gained previous to my study of the topic of gun ownership strictly
came from personal experience. I am a proud owner of a gun who believes gun ownership is portrayed in
negative ways without further inspection of its benefits. I have various family members and friends with
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guns and registered concealed carry permits but I can agree with the negative side of the argument as
well. For instance, I believe strongly in the right of gun ownership yet my parents do not believe in
owning a gun and, or housing a gun under their roof. Through these experiences, along with further
research into the topic, I would prefer to join the conversation of conflicting views of gun ownership in
attempt to appease, or congregate a mutual view of the topic to qualify confrontation. The study will
challenge my ability to gather information from varying sources, varying view, and past and modern
periods to a collective view point. I am hopeful in gaining new knowledge to better my understanding
why the topic of gun ownership is so very controversial and whether it should be deemed a fundamental
right.
Reflection
The following assignment gave me an extensive look into the research I shall be conducting while
working on the annotate bibliography assignment. It has allowed me to personally sit down and plan the
ways in which I shall study the topic I have chosen and has somewhat allowed me to plan the method in
which I shall evaluate my topic and sources, as well as, write my paper. I was confused on a few of the
conditions of the inquiry proposal. I was not sure if I was to list any information I may have read over, or
if I needed to do any research prior to writing my paper, or if I was to wait until a further date to begin
researching my information and include some of it in my inquiry proposal. Other than that confusion, the
assignment was beneficial and has given me a proper start into evaluating my topic and conducting
research.