In the United States, the contemporary political climate is one of great contention and polarization. Since the 46th President Joe Biden took office in January of 2021, rampant inflation soaring to record levels not seen in decades, massive surges of illegal migrants at the southern border, and a struggling domestic economy overall have been just some examples of the many problems plaguing the administration. Biden, who was elected to be a moderate, has governed extensively as a progressive, reinforcing the narrative that the modern Democratic party has become the far-left, big spending and big government coalition in Washington. One issue of divisiveness in American politics is that of the second amendment and gun control. As school shootings continue to occur at record rates across America, Democrats and politicians on the left have continued to call for legislation restricting the rights of law abiding citizens to purchase or possess firearms.
Despite many common sense legislators on the right and law enforcement officials voicing the obvious opinions that gun legislation is ineffective in terms of stopping criminals, progressives continue to push for restrictions. The constitutionality of these proposals is questioned. In one of the most sweeping and “tyrannical” moves in American political history in relation to the subject, the governor of New Mexico attempted to make it illegal for any individual to carry firearms in public (even with a concealed carry permit). At Michigan State university, the board of trustees voted on September 8th to ban individuals with concealed carry licenses from possessing firearms on school grounds. Last February, a perpetrator shot and killed three students and wounded five others at the university in a tragic school shooting.
Individuals who may wish to see the federal government take action to protect the second amendment may hope for a Republican victory in 2024. As the election nears closer, it is certainly possible the GOP could retake the senate and win the white house.
