Gun Control Essays (703 words) - Gun Politics In The United States

Gun Control Essays (703 words) - Gun Politics In The United States Gun Control Gun Control: What Is It? One of the most hotly debated topics today is gun control. But what exactly is gun control? Is it making it so hard to own that it takes away from the game or leaves someone in fear of not being able to protect themselves? Could it be that it is there to protect the innocent from being gunned down by a lunatic? All these are good questions and that is why the topic is hard to define, both sides have their own feelings on the issue and it is hard to find a happy medium between the two, but one must try. Gun control doesnt have to be taking guns away or making them harder to get as much as controlling them and enforcing the laws that are already in effect. There are many different viewpoints on the issue of gun control. My personal viewpoint is that all citizens have the right to bear arms. If all of the laws were enforced that have passed legislation we would not need new laws making it harder for those that use firearms for sport and protection. The NRA(National Rifle Association) feels the same way. They feel that legislation would infringe on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. They also believe that gun control is not making it harder to get guns by certain measures but by enforcing laws that are already in effect. They also say that only those laws would affect citizens that use their firearms legally because the people that commit crimes would get guns another way. People that are pro-gun control believe that gun control is to put stricter laws into effect making it harder to get a hold of guns. They believe that the age for purchasing a gun should be changed from eighteen to twenty one. Whatever the definition given by the various pro and anti gun controllers might be there are certain laws that help define gun control. In many states there are laws that allow citizens to carry concealed handguns. One of the largest states to enact this law is Texas and many citizens indicated they would carry a concealed hand weapon because they felt it was needed for self-defense (Goldman 121). There are also laws in many states that put a hold on weapons sold to do a background check. In the case of gun shows the waiting period would outlast the show itself. There are also laws being pressed to limit buyers to a limit of one handgun per month. So you have the opinions and you have the laws but the truest definition itself comes from the Bill of Rights, more specifically the second amendment. The hot constitutional question however is whether the Second Amendment protects states or individuals. The second amendment clearly secures a right of the people. As defined in the constitution itself, A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to bear Arms, shall not be infringed. States from New Hampshire to Kentucky all have laws that were passed entitling citizens to their right to carry weapons in times of defense whether for that of the state, country, or for personal protection. So now youve heard all the sides; personal, pro, anti, and legal arguments, there are many ways to see gun control. From stopping or trying to slow down sales to just getting tough and enforcing the laws already in effect gun control is a hot topic. However the best definition to interpret gun control is, enforcing the laws we already have in effect while also considering some new laws to protect us against the crime of America. We need to try to slow handguns down just stop the gun involved crimes by cracking down and enforcing the law. This may not be a happy medium to either side but it is the way that gun control is being defined at this point in time. Letting it be legal to carry a concealed weapon or firearm but also having certain laws for a waiting period and background check so that firearms dont end up in the wrong hands.

The End of Social Security Paper Checks

The End of Social Security Paper Checks The U.S. Department of Treasury began phasing out paper Social Security checks and other federal benefit checks on May 1, 2011. It required anyone applying for Social Security checks and other federal benefits on and after that date to receive their payments electronically. Those who began receiving Social Security checks before May of 2011 have until March 1, 2013, to sign up for electronic payments, the Treasury Department announced. Those who dont sign up to have their Social Security checks direct-deposited by that date would receive their benefits through the Direct Express card program. Getting your Social Security or Supplemental Security Income payment by direct deposit or Direct Express is safer and more reliable, Michael J. Astrue, the commissioner of Social Security, said in announcing the change. Whos Impacted by End of Paper Checks The change applied to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Affairs benefits, and anyone who receives benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management and Department of Labor (Black Lung). You dont have to worry about your check being lost or stolen and your money is available immediately on your payment date, Astrue said. There is no need to wait for the mail to arrive. In 2010, more than 540,000 Social Security and Supplemental Security Income paper checks were reported lost or stolen and had to be replaced, the Treasury Department said. Savings from End of Paper Checks Phasing out paper Social Security checks entirely is expected to save taxpayers about $120 million every year, or more than $1 billion over 10 years. Government officials also pointed out that eliminating paper Social Security checks will provide positive benefits to the environment, saving 12 million pounds of paper in the first five years alone. More than 18 million baby boomers are expected to reach retirement age during the next five years, with 10,000 people a day becoming eligible for Social Security benefits, said Treasurer Rosie Rios. It costs 92 cents more to issue a payment by paper check than by direct deposit. We are retiring the Social Security paper check option in favor of electronic payments because it is the right thing to do for benefit recipients and American taxpayers alike. What You Need to Do Now If you are applying for new benefits, you are now required to choose an electronic payment method, whether its a direct deposit of your Social Security check or other federal benefits into a bank or credit union account. When you apply for your Social Security check or other federal benefits, you will need: Your financial institutions routing transit number often found on a personal check;The account type, checking or savings;And the account number often found on a personal check. You can also choose to receive your Social Security check on a prepaid debit card or Direct Express Debit MasterCard card. What You Need to Do By 2013 If you currently get your Social Security check or other federal benefit payment on paper, you must switch to electronic payments before March 1, 2013. You can switch from paper checks to direct deposit at www.GoDirect.org, by calling the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Centers toll-free helpline at (800) 333-1795, or by speaking with a bank or credit union representative. Anyone already receiving federal benefit payments electronically will continue to receive their money as usual on their payment day. No action is required. About Paper Social Security Checks The first monthly Social Security check was received by Ida Mae Fuller on Jan. 31, 1940, according to the Treasury Department. Since then about 165 million people have received Social Security benefits. The movement toward electronic payments has been steadily increasing, the Treasury Department said. By May of 2011, electronic payments made up more than three-quarters of all noncash payments nationwide. There were 5.7 billion fewer checks written in 2009 than in 2006, a decline of 6.1 percent per year - while electronic payments grew 9.3 percent during that same period. Among federal benefit recipients, about eight in 10 receive their Social Security check or other federal benefit payment electronically, according to the Treasury Department. What About Social Security Statements?   On January 9, 2017, the Social Security Administration also stopped mailing annual Social Security Statements to all workers under age 60. The Social Security Statement shows the worker’s expected monthly Social Security benefits based on their current and potential future income. Paper statements are still mailed only to workers age 60 and older three months before their birthday if they don’t receive Social Security benefits and don’t yet have a â€Å"my Social Security† account. Workers over age 60 will stop receiving their statements by mail once they set up their â€Å"my Social Security† account. Workers under age 60 can now view their personal Social Security Statement online only by using their â€Å"my Social Security† account. Using a â€Å"my Social Security† account, workers of all ages can view their Social Security Statement online at any time. With a free and very secure â€Å"my Social Security† account, workers of all ages, retired or not, can view online their personalized estimates of future benefits based on their real earnings, see their latest Statement, and review their earnings history. In addition, â€Å"my Social Security† can be used to request a replacement Social Security Card or check the status of an application, anytime. A â€Å"my Social Security† is free, secure, and easy to create at: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/.