Just Take Away Their Guns Essay Example for Free

Just Take Away Their Guns Essay The president wants still tougher gun control legislation and thinks it will work. The public supports more gun control laws but suspects they wont work. The public is right. Legal restraints on the lawful purchase of guns will have little effect on the illegal use of guns. There are some 200 million guns in private ownership, about one-third of them handguns. Only about 2 percent of the latter are employed to commit crimes. It would take a Draconian, and politically impossible, confiscation of legally purchased guns to make much of a difference in the number used by criminals. Moreover, only about one-sixth of the handguns used by serious criminals are purchased from a gun shop or pawnshop. Most of these handguns are stolen, borrowed or obtained through private purchases that wouldnt be affected by gun laws. What is worse, any successful effort to shrink the stock of legally purchased guns (or of ammunition) would reduce the capacity of law-abiding people to defend themselves. Gun control advocates scoff at the importance of self-defense, but they are wrong to do so. Based on a household survey, Gary Kleck, a criminologist at Florida State University, has estimated that every year, guns are used that is, displayed or fired for defensive purposes more than a million times, not counting their use by the police. If his estimate is correct, this means that the number of people who defend themselves with a gun exceeds the number of arrests for violent crimes and burglaries. The available evidence supports the claim that self-defense is a legitimate form of deterrence. People who report to the National Crime Survey that they defended themselves with a weapon were less likely to lose property in a robbery or be injured in an assault than those who did not defend themselves. Statistics have shown that would-be burglars are threatened by gun-wielding victims about as many times a year as they are arrested (and much more often than they are sent to prison) and that the chances of a burglar being shot are about the same as his chances of going to jail. Cr iminals know these facts even if gun control advocates do not and so are less likely to burgle occupied homes in America than occupied ones in Europe, where the residents rarely have guns. Some gun control advocates may concede these points but rejoin that the cost of self-defense is self-injury: Handgun owners are more likely to shoot themselves or their  loved ones than a criminal. Not quite. Most gun accidents involve rifles and shotguns, not handguns. Moreover, the rate of fatal gun accidents has been declining while the level of gun ownership has been rising. There are fatal gun accidents just as there are fatal car accidents, but in fewer than 2 percent of the gun fatalities was the victim someone mistaken for an intruder. Those who urge us to forbid or severely restrict the sale of guns ignore these facts. Worse, they adopt a position that is politically absurd. In effect, they say, Your government, having failed to protect your person and your property from criminal assault, now intends to deprive you of the opportunity to protect yourself. Opponents of gun control make a different mistake. The National Rifle Association and its allies tell us that guns dont kill, people kill and urge the Government to punish more severely people who use guns to commit crimes. Locking up criminals does protect society from future crimes, and the prospect of being locked up may deter criminals. But our experience with meting out tougher sentences is mixed. The tougher the prospective sentence the less likely it is to be imposed, or at least to be imposed swiftly. If the Legislature adds on time for crimes committed with a gun, prosecutors often bargain away the add-ons; even when they do not, the judges in many states are reluctant to impose add-ons. Worse, the presence of a gun can contribute to the magnitude of the crime even on the part of those who worry about serving a long prison sentence. Many criminals carry guns not to rob stores but to protect themselves from other armed criminals. Gang violence has become more threatening to bystanders as gang members have begun to arm themselves. People may commit crimes, but guns make some crimes worse. Guns often convert spontaneous outbursts of anger into fatal encounters. When some people carry them on the streets, others will want to carry them to protect themselves, and an urban arms race will be underway. OUR GOAL SHOULD NOT BE THE disarming of law-abiding citizens. It should be to r educe the number of people who carry guns unlawfully, especially in places on streets, in taverns where the mere presence of a gun can increase the hazards we all face. The most effective way to reduce illegal gun-carrying is to encourage the police to take guns away from people who carry them without a permit. This means encouraging the police to make street frisks. The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution bans unreasonable searches and seizures. In 1968 the Supreme  Court decided (Terry v. Ohio) that a frisk patting down a persons outer clothing is proper if the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. If a pat-down reveals an object that might be a gun, the officer can enter the suspects pocket to remove it. If the gun is being carried illegally, the suspect can be arrested. The reasonable-suspicion test is much less stringent than the probable-cause standard the police must meet in order to make an arrest. A reasonable suspicion, however, is more than just a hunch; it must be supported by specific facts. The courts have held, not always consistently, that these facts include someone acting in a way that leads an experienced officer to conclude criminal activity may be afoot; someone fleeing at the approach of an officer; a person who fits a drug courier profile; a motorist stopped for a traffic violation who has a suspicious bulge in his pocket; a suspect identified by a reliable informant as carrying a gun. The Supreme Court has also upheld frisking people on probation or parole. Some police departments frisk a lot of people, but usually the police frisk rather few, at least for the purpose of detecting illegal guns. In 1992 the police arrested about 240,000 people for illegally possessing or carrying a weapon. This is only about one-fourth as many as were arrested for public drunkenness. The average police officer will make no weapons arrests and confiscate no guns during any given year. Mark Moore, a professor of public policy at Harvard University, found that most weapons arrests were made because a citizen complained, not because the police were out looking for guns. It is easy to see why. Many cities suffer from a shortage of officers, and even those with ample law-enforcement personnel worry about having their cases thrown out for constitutional reasons or being accused of police harassment. But the risk of violating the Constitution or engaging in actual, as opposed to perceived, harassment can be substantially reduced. Each patrol officer can be given a list of people on probation or parole who live on that officers beat and be rewarded for making frequent stops to insure that they are not carrying guns. Officers can be trained to recognize the kinds of actions that the Court will a ccept as providing the reasonable suspicion necessary for a stop and frisk. Membership in a gang known for assaults and drug dealing could be made the basis, by statute or Court precedent, for gun frisks. And modern science can be enlisted to help. Metal detectors at  airports have reduced the number of airplane bombings and skyjackings to nearly zero. But these detectors only work at very close range. What is needed is a device that will enable the police to detect the presence of a large lump of metal in someones pocket from a distance of 10 or 15 feet. Receiving such a signal could supply the officer with reasonable grounds for a pat-down. Underemployed nuclear physicists and electronics engineers in the post-cold-war era surely have the talents for designing a better gun detector. Even if we do all these things, there will still be complaints. Innocent people will be stopped. Young black and Hispanic men will probably be stopped more often than older white Anglo males or women of any race. But if we are serious about reducing drive-by shootings, fatal gang wars and lethal quarrels in public places, we must get illegal guns off the street. We cannot do this by multiplying the forms one fills out at gun shops or by pretending that guns are not a problem until a criminal uses one. James Q. Wilson is a professor of public policy at U.C.L.A. His most recent book is The Moral Sense. ADS BY GOOGLE

Educational Goals and Philosophy :: Teaching Education Careers Essays

Educational Goals and Philosophy How do I feel about teaching? I feel that the most important career an individual could choose would be education. Teachers play an important role in the lives of young children. They help shape and mold the world's future citizen that will run companies, be politicians, doctors, lawyers, teachers, electricians, construction workers, or whatever they desire. I feel that the most important role of a teacher is to provide children with the best possible education that is available. Teachers need to help young children learn and work up to their potential to be a productive, responsible citizen in society today. There are many strategies to use when providing the students with an appropriate education that meets all the individual's needs. I believe that the Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all played an important role in shaping the educational system. I basically agree with Socrates philosophy because he promoted intellectual insights in his students. The Socratic method was a challenge in Socrates time as it is today because people don't like change. They are hesitant when it comes to new approaches or strategies to teach the curriculum. Many educators still tend to use the conventional ideas and traditions to teach subject matter as opposed to keeping up with the current trends and technologies today. I also agree with parts of Plato and Aristotle's philosophies. I feel that a combination of the three would benefit any teacher. Progressivism is respect for individuality. My hope is to allow for this in my classroom. As I enter into the educational field and acquire more knowledge, I began to realize how different individual's needs are and how different methods have to be used to get across concepts being taught. Howard Gardner identified eight kinds of intelligences. The quality of a student's performance depends greatly on how they learn. I hope to meet all my student's needs by incorporating a wide variety of techniques in my lesson plans. I will use cooperative learning groups, peer tutoring, teach - reteach methods, hands - on activities, and the use of technology. I will be open - minded to any suggestions or any new approaches that may arise.

Written Project Base on Case Study

From the case we discuss, LabCo’s accounting policy for recognizes revenue from construction contract is reasonable. According to ASC605-35-25-61, an entity†¦ shall use the completed-contract†¦ for which reasonably dependable estimates cannot be made or for which inherent hazards make estimates doubtful. LabCo Company uses a normal standard for its accounting policy which is using Percentage of complection method base on how it determine the profit (cost-to-cost method); but in contract with Halibut, LabCo experiences unexpected difficulties includes: revising design, outsourcing engineering, price of material rising unforeseeably. These are the factors that make cost estimation harder. Percentage of Completion method is appropriate under ASC605-35-25-57, criteria B, The buyer can be expected to satisfy all obligations under the contract and C, The contractor can be expected to perform all contractual obligations. Completion of contract method is used according to ASC605-32-25-90, When lack of dependable estimates†¦inherent hazards relate to contract conditions or external factors that raise questions about contract estimates and about the ability of either the contractor or the customer to perform all obligations under the contract. Percentage of completion method is inappropriate for this contract, not only because it’s difficult to estimate the cost, but also the product fails to fulfill the buyer’s need. In this case, choosing completion of contract is better decision; based on previous experience, LabCo underestimate the cost and ability of complete the contract is the main reason forces them to change the policy. Change in method of accounting from the percentage-of-completion to the completed-contract is considering change in accounting principle. In ASC250-10-45-2, it states clearly about company can use alternative accounting principle to better interpret the current financial issues. According to ASC250-10-45-1, a presumption exists that an accounting principle once adopted shall†¦consistent use of the same accounting principle from one accounting period to another†¦and with a,b criteria. Once a new accounting principle is adopted, entity should consistently practice. Base on ASC250-10-45-5, entity should use retrospective approach apply for the new accounting principle. There are three basic requirements to do: A. Back to prior accounting period, the change of cumulative effect must be showed once apply the new principle. B. adjustment of the balance of retained earning must be made. C. Each individual financial statement from prior period shall apply the new principle. In LabCo’s case, once it changes the revenue recognition principle, the prior year’s revenue will become less in completion of contract method. Retain Earning account must be higher when using percentage of completion method. Therefore, retained earnings account needs to be adjusted. For current year, adjustment shall be made to beginning balance of retained earnings. Base on ASC250-10-45-8, Retrospective application shall include only the direct effects of a change in accounting principle, including any related income tax effects. Using retrospective approach shall contain direct effects, in this case would be income tax from prior period which should be less than the entity actual paid. Disclosure, ASC250-10-50-2 An entity that issues interim financial statements shall provide the required disclosures in the financial statements of both the interim period of the change and the annual period of the change. When reporting a change in Principle, explanation of why use new principle should be included. Work Cited Kieso, D. E., T. D. Warfield, and J. J. Weygandt.Intermediate accounting. 14th. Hoboken: John Wiley& Sons, Inc. , 2012. Print. https://asc.fasb.org/advancedsearchresults

Utilitarianism vs. Kantianism Essay - 1363 Words

Utilitarianism vs. Kantianism Ethics can be defined as the conscious reflection on our moral beliefs with the aim of improving, extending or refining those beliefs in some way. (Dodds, Lecture 2) Kantian moral theory and Utilitarianism are two theories that attempt to answer the ethical nature of human beings. This paper will attempt to explain how and why Kantian moral theory and Utilitarianism differ as well as discuss why I believe Kants theory provides a more plausible account of ethics. Immanuel Kants deonotological ethical theory assesses if actions are moral based on the persons will or intention of acting. Kants theory can be categorized as a deonotological because actions are not assessed to be morally†¦show more content†¦The maxim has to be consistent and able to be applied to every situation, for every person. The other main point of Kantian moral theories are the differences between imperfect and perfect duties. Perfect duties are those duties that one must always perform in a particular situation, whereas imperfect duties are those that one must perform only when the situation arises. Utilitarianism is another theory in which its main objective is to explain the nature of ethics and morality. Utilitarianism is an ethical theory which is based upon utility, or doing that which produces the greatest happiness. According to a utilitarian the morality of act is found just if the consequence produces the greatest overall utility for everyone. However, if the greatest possible utility is not produced, the action is then morally wrong. This view says that a person should act as to produce the greatest overall happiness and pleasure for everyone who may be directly or indirectly affected by the action. Therefore, a utilitarian would require that for every action the corresponding consequences for every action should be thoroughly weighed and alternatives proposed before deciding whether or not to perform such an action. Kantian moral theory and Utilitarianism are similar in the respect that they both attempt to explain how one can goShow MoreRelatedEuthanasia: Kantianism vs Utilitarianism1599 Words   |  7 Pageson John Stuart Mill s Utilitarianism ethical theory, and Immanuel Kant s Categorical Imperative ethical theory. According to Utilitarianism, euthanasia can be morally justified, whereas according to Kantianism, euthanasia is not morally justifiable; but I will argue that neither position provides an adequate resolution to the issue, due to the significant flaws that are inherent in the reasoning that led to their particular positions. According to Utilitarianism, ethics is primarily anRead MoreThe Moral Aspects Of Utilitarianism1619 Words   |  7 PagesArthur Owen Williams greatly influenced philosophical ethics through several studies on the moral aspects of Utilitarianism. His complex thinking and theories, along with his unique approach, gave him a great amount of recognition towards other theorists in his field. He expressed the majority of his beliefs through his writings in which he stressed his critiques of Utilitarianism and Kantianism and emphasized the importance of moral rational. His study of both external and internal reasoning helpedRead MoreThe Moral Principles Which Control An Individual s Behaviour1820 Words   |  8 Pagesspecific scenario, seeing how both perspectives differ and deciding which one is better in the given scenario. Utilitarianism is the theory in normative ethics that believes the best action is the one which provides the most happiness. This is known as the Greatest Happiness Principle, the belief that the less pain an act produces, the more morally praiseworthy that action will be. Kantianism on the other hand is the belief of Emmanuel Kant, asserting that the act itself is more important than the consequencesRead MoreUtilitarianism Facing Abortion4725 Words   |  19 PagesUtilitarianism Facing Abortion MBA 6277 Table of Contents Abstraction †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 3 Ethical Principals and Methodologies †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4 Utilitarism †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 5 Types †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 6 Consequences †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 6 Statistics †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Read MoreAffirmative Action: Equality for All? Essay1741 Words   |  7 Pagesdiscrimination is wrong and we should all have equal opportunities in a color-blind society but then gives opportunities solely based on race. Affirmative action is unethical and this idea is supported by moral philosophy subjects such as Kantianism, Utilitarianism, Social Contract, and Virtue Theory. Arguments against affirmative action are that it: creates reverse discrimination, lowers standards for minorities, and demeans true minority achievement. Arguments supporting affirmative action areRead MoreInternet Banking3249 Words   |  13 PagesInternet Banking (with examples from Developed vs Developing Countries) Presented to: Bert Lind Presented by: Group No.1 †¢ S101417 Shahid Javed †¢ S104503 Mumtaz Ali †¢ S104451 Asif Iqbal †¢ S101291 Mm Mudassar †¢ S101659 Muhammad Shahzad Abstract We have discussed internet banking and security issues. Then we have given comparison of internet banking in developed countries and developing countries on the basis of security and infrastructure issues. Examples of banks are given from Pakistan (HSBC) andRead MoreThe Ethics Of File Sharing1378 Words   |  6 Pagesthe increasing amount of internet usage. (3) On further study via surveying usage, riskiness, and preferences of media, people told an activity is likely to get caught doing and has a large fine is 7% likely to continue performing. This statistic is vs 75% likely to continue performing illegal acts if low risk of getting caught and low fines. (3) Using this information, increasing estimated risk and increasing actual fines will have a great reduction in piracy (3). To do that, high schools and colleges