Tragic incidents like this one seem to be becoming more and more common in modern America. The availability of a firearm was the direct cause of Yoshihiro's death. Likewise the availabilty of firearms in general is related to accidental, as well as intentional, homicide. The United States Congress should therefore limit or illegalize the sale, use and carrying of handguns and assualt weapons.

The reasoning behind this statement is that I do not believe that these aformentioned weapons have a legitimate place in American society. Nor do I believe that the typical American is responsible enough to own one of these particular firearms. Conversely though, many Republicans view assault weapon and handgun restrictions as an infringement upon an American's right to bear arms. (Ifill 19)

These particular firearms that I believe should be restricted by Congress are those that are designed to kill people (hence the term assault weapons). Assault weapons are characterized by the ability to fire large numbers of bullets in a very short amount of time. These soldier-type weapons are made for armies and police forces, not hunters. " 'I've got several guns, but I don't see any reason why armor-piercing bullets and concealed weapons should be sold legally in this country. They are only used to kill human beings,' " - Former President Jimmy Carter (Graves 3) Hunters, usually needing only one shot for their intended kill, have no need of any such weapon.

" 'When its time to hunt birds, you need a good gun like this Ruger Red Label (a firearm designed for hunting). Twenty-five years ago, in the war in Vietnam, people hunted me. They needed a good weapon-like this AK-47. But you don't need one of these to hunt birds.' " - Senator Bob Kerry (Toner 26)

Sighting the Second Amendment conservative Americans and the Republican party in general do not believe that a federally imposed restriction on firearms would be good for the American public. "The (Republican) White House, which has long opposed all forms of gun control," declares that firearms of any type, including assault, is be protected by the United States Constitution. (Ifill 19)

While I agree with the Republicans in that it is every American's constitutional right to bear arms, I do not agree that this right is best for the country today. The Second Amendment was ratified in a very different society than the one we now know. Americans at that time had just recently rid themselves of the British and after fighting the long and bloody war of Independence the last thing that any American wanted was another authoritarian government. So to protect citizens from that possibility, the Framers of the Constitution gave Americans the right to bear arms. With an armed population, a tyrannical government or leader, such as the British, could potentially be overthrown. (Academic American Encyclopedia) The United States at that time was also characterized by a large frontier, Indian wars, roaming bandits, no real law enforcement, and low population densities. Obviously, for those legitimate reasons, the people needed firearms, but just as Americans no longer run into warring Indian tribes, the threat of a tyrannical government is no longer a real one. It would make sense then, to believe that the reasons for having an armed society are no longer valid.

Following the Republican ideology, any American, including criminals and delinquents, would be able to purchase weapons of human destruction. What's more, political leaders like the Republican Governor of Texas, George W. Bush, want to pass a state law that would allow licensed citizens to carry a concealed handgun, "Gov. George W. Bush has pledged his support for the legislation." (Gerik 1) These two Republican desires, the carrying and unrestricted purchase of handguns and assault weapons, put more hand and assault weapons on urban streets. As a result of these guns, more people would have the ability to kill.

Aside from the fact that Americans do not really need guns for any other purpose than sport, they in general are not responsible enough to own or carry weapons of assault. Too many accidental deaths and far too many murders make the nightly news to justify America's right to bear firearms.

A good example of this irresponsibility with handguns is the Baton Rouge story in which Rodney Peairs' immature actions cost the life of a 16-year old boy. Had Mr. Peairs not had access to a handgun, "he might have acted on the human instincts to exchange words, to ask questions. But the gun perverted that instinct, substituting its voice for the human one". (Haymaker 26) If Rodney Peairs had acted responsibility, Yoshihiro Hattori would still be alive today, but Mr. Peairs, an average citizen with no previous criminal record, did not act responsibly. With that in mind, how then could it be assumed that any other average American could be responsible with a handgun or any other type of assault weapon.

the owner of a .44 Magnum can easily see himself as Dirty Harry. When he does, he is primed to gun down unarmed children, with no questions asked and no provocation except that a body moved a little through space after the man with the Magnum said 'Freeze.!' (Haymaker 26)

I for instance do not feel that I am responsible enough to own a handgun or assault weapon, but in two years, when I am of legal age, I could buy a handgun. In fact if George W. Bush passes his proposed bill, I could receive a license that would legally allow me to carry my shiny new handgun under a sport coat. With my pearl-handled .45 automatic under my Don Johnson-style sport coat I would feel both tough and cool, maybe even too tough and too cool. Maybe in a heated argument, I might lose my temper and let the lead fly.

Another scenario might be that while driving on I-35 through Austin, I get cut off by another motorist. At that point I would probably honk my horn or give a finger, and either of those signals could be returned by the other motorist. Now, because the other motorist had the final word, I would be very angry. Suddenly I remember that I'm packing heat. With the intention of showing who the true bad ass is, I decide to flash my Colt .45. Scared of being shot, the other motorist draws his own handgun from under his jacket. Having automatic windows and being much faster on the trigger I then proceed to shoot and kill the other driver at the next stop light.

Maybe if I was a hardened criminal or a gang member this I-35 scenario would seem possible, but I am neither. I am just an average American citizen with no felony record. Yet even with my severe amount of averageness, I could not guarantee that an incident like this one would never occur if I had access to a handgun. The fact that I am an average American citizen though, allows me to purchase and carry a handgun. So we Americans must ask ourselves if we really want any average citizen, such as myself, to have assault and hand-held weapons available to them. " 'The greatest threat to our structure is the possession and sale of weapons in this society,' ". - Former President Jimmy Carter (Gerik 2)

Academic American Encyclopedia. "American Bill of Rights": Jan 1995, 128.83.216.11

Gerik, Melanie. "Carter stresses handgun control". The Daily Texan: March 7 1995, p1-2

Graves, Debbie. "Carter discusses guns, politics, peace in speach". Austin- American Statesman: March 7 1995, pB3

Haymaker, Holley G. "Another Magnum, another victim". The New York Times: Oct 31 1992, v144, p15(N) pA26(L)

Ifill, Gwen. "Congress still torn on gun control by complex regional divisions". The New York Times: Oct 20 1991, v141, Sec. 1, p13(N) p19(L)

Toner, Robin. "Senator Decides to Fight N.R.A.'s Fire With Fire". The New York Times: Oct 27 1994, v144, pA10(N) pA26(L)