The reoccurring topic of the question about gun control continues to be brought up in today's society, especially with the continuous mass shootings and terrorist attacks within the United States and across the world. With the 2016 presidential race continuing, many candidates plan to restrict gun laws and policies while others plan to strengthen the second Amendment. As a young man of the next and up coming generation, who is and will be affected by those passing laws, I want to live in a society where I am able to purchase, own, and carry firearms for recreation purposes as well as self-defense. From growing up in the south around firearms, law enforcement, and becoming a shooting instructor, the Second Amendment has been apart of my entire life and of my culture. The right to bear arms is a privilege to those, not an entitlement. As a result of many mass shootings and terrorist attacks, many want to jump to conclusions and say that if assault weapons or all firearms were banned to the public, those kinds of situations would be nonexistent. But rather than going to the extreme, take act in directing attention to who and how those can purchase, own, and carry firearms. As an active hunter and recreational shooter, we receive poor reputations because of incidents as those. As the rate of shootings and attacks increase, we must target laws and regulations, giving those the right to bear, not the entitlement. 

Incidents such as the mass shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, bring the topic of gun control out, asking the questions, how and why incidents like this occur and how and why was a suspect like this to able to have a firearm in the first place. On June 17, 2015, a man by the name of Dylann Roof sat in on a bible study at the historic Emanuel African-American Methodist Episcopal Church then later opening fire, shooting and killing nine people within the church. With hope to start a racial war, Roof said, "I have to do what I have to do". Roof then fled the scene, leaving one elderly member of the church as a "survivor because I'm going to kill myself", said Roof. The suspect was later arrested in Shelby, North Carolina armed with a gun and the possession of an unlabeled pill bottle with the drug suboxone. The narcotic suboxone is in the same class as opiates like heroin, vicodin, and oxycontin. In studies by doctors and researchers in the field of addiction, it is said to be a helpful tool in fighting addictions without the need to send patients to methadone clinics. According to The National Alliance of Advocates of Buprenorphine Treatment, in addicts, opioids can cause unpredictable mood swings, manipulative behaviors, lying, and an inability to meet responsibilities. One may ask how can a drug addict be able to purchase and own a firearm? Prior to Roof purchasing a .45 caliber pistol for his 21st birthday, there was no record of any arrests or committed felonies, allowing Roof to own a firearm.  

As a result of the Charleston and many other shootings, President Obama came out on January 4, 2016, with new executive actions in order to reduce gun violence and make communities safer. The new actions by the Federal Government consist of keeping guns out of the wrong hands through background checks. This clarifies that it doesn't matter where you conduct your business- from a store, at gun shows, or over the Internet: if you're in the business of selling firearms, one must get a license and conduct background checks. This requires background checks for those trying to buy some of the most dangerous weapons and other items through a trust or corporation. This ensures states are providing records to the background check system, and work cooperatively with jurisdictions to improve reporting. From this, it will make the background check system more efficient and effective. In order to make communities safer from gun violence, they must ensure smart and effective enforcement of gun laws. The government must also ensure that dealers notify law enforcement about the theft or loss of their guns. They must issue a memo directing every U.S. Attorney's Office to renew domestic violence outreach efforts. Also the Federal Government must act to increase mental health treatment and reporting to the background check system. This dedicates significant new resources to increase access to mental health care. This also includes information from the Social Security Administration on the background check about beneficiaries who are prohibited from possessing a firearm. Including the removal of unnecessary legal barriers preventing states from reporting relevant information to the background check system. For shaping the future of gun safety technology, issuing a Presidential Memorandum directing the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security to take two important steps to promote smart gun technology. They must increase research and development efforts and promote the use and acquisition of new technology.  

