Bearing (H)arms
When the creation of the United States was in motion, a constitution was formed. A major part included in this constitution was the 2nd amendment, a section containing the right entitling citizens of the new country to keep and to bear arms. This amendment creates great controversy in modern times, different branches of government across the nation constantly debate on the extent to which this amendment applies. Restrictions are often placed on the right given to the citizens. All fifty states possess some type of laws regarding firearms.
California and Texas have similar but different policies that are more extreme than most other states. The severity of the restrictions vary between California and Texas more than one would think. California serves as a hub for some of the most severe gun restrictions in the United States. In comparison, Texas is just the opposite, harboring few restrictions on firearm ownership. “Assault Weapons” are illegal to purchase or possess in California unless purchased before June 1989.”Assault weapons” are defined as semi automatic centerfire rifles capable of accepting a detachable magazine (external device used to induct ammunition to the firearm).
Texas Senator Ted Cruz speaks against the active ban on assault weapons in select states, “Real assault weapons, machine guns, are already functionally illegal, and they have been since 1934.” “Assault Weapons” are legally allowed to be owned in Texas.In California a person may not possess a magazine that is capable of containing more than ten rounds, for any type of firearm. Texas law states that no limit is imposed on the magazine capacity of any firearm, under any circumstances. Government officials such as California Democratic Representative Nancy Pelosi and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton believe that citizens cannot be trusted with more than ten rounds in one magazine, as shown by their voting record on previous gun control bills.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz has voted in favor of fewer gun restrictions on Americans. In California extensive background checks are accompanied by a ten day waiting period while attempting to purchase a firearm. Also a person wishing to purchase a handgun in California must complete a Handgun Safety Course. In Texas background checks, Handgun Safety Courses, and waiting periods are not necessary in order to purchase a firearm. A legally qualified (citizen with no felony convictions within the last five years or evidence of mental illness) citizen in Texas may purchase any legalfirearm they please at any time and leave with firearm the day of. Citizens in california are heavily restricted on many aspects of firearm ownership in which those of Texas are not.
Laws that apply to the private sale of firearms can be more different between California and Texas than one could imagine. In California any firearm transaction must be done through a dealer holding a Federal Firearms License (FFL), a background check must be done and all waiting periods also apply. The same transaction in Texas is notlegally obligated to involve anyone other than the buyer and the seller. Every handgun in the state of California must be registered with the California Department of Justice to the new owner at the time of purchase, including the gifting of a firearm to another person. In Texas a firearm registry is non-existent, as far as the state knows, nobody in Texas owns a firearm. Laws that apply to the carry of weapons in public are far more strict in California than in Texas.
A citizen must complete a handgun safety course,attend a detailed class on the concealed carry of firearms, pass a background check, and obtain a CCW “Carrying Concealed Weapons” permit in order to legally carry a firearm in California. The only information in regard to carrying firearms in Texas, is that the citizen must have a firearm to carry. Gun control laws in individual states can be reflection of the politicians from the specific area. Dianne Feinstein is a democratic senator from California. Feinstein believes in heavily restricting the Second Amendment rights of American citizens.
Feinstein and other politicians like her believe that the only way to prevent violent crimes involving guns is to restrict the firearms that citizens are allowed to own. In the opinion of Feinstein and her cohorts, “unloading the gun” is the only way to reduce violent crimes. Feinstein has taken such a drastic approach on gun control that a portion of her proposed laws could be deemed an unconstitutional infringement (violation) of rights. Texas Senator Ted Cruz believes that strict gun laws and high crime rates have a known correlation (connection)that regions with more extreme gun laws have higher rates of violent crime. “If you look at the jurisdictions with the strictest gun control laws, almost without exception, they have the highest crime rates and the highest murder rates.
“- Senator Ted Cruz. Cruz believes instead of disarming law abiding citizens and rendering them nearly defenseless,that firearms should beplaced in the hands of those with good intentions that can actually stop acts of violent crime and reduce the overall rate of violent crime. California has the 14th highest violent crime rate in the United States, the state also harbors more restrictions than Texas. Having some of the most relaxed gun laws in the US, Texas would be expected to have a high crime rate involving firearms. In fact Texas has a lower violent crime rate than California, Texas ranks at the 15th highest violent crime rate.
Gun control is a very controversial topic in the United States at the present time. The “correct” way to regulate firearms is constantly under debate by many politicians. California and Texas are thought to be similar in gun control, in fact, California and Texas are nearly polar opposites. Firearm restrictions can range from the physical hardware of the weapons to the people whom may possess them. Though California and Texas differ in severity of gun restrictions, both states are permitting citizens to exercise their 2nd amendment rights.
