Passed by Congress on Sept. 25, 1789, the Second Amendment states, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” If the need should ever arise, this right was for preserved for the protection of the people so that they are able to defend themselves. Unfortunately, as time passed, more and more incidents have occurred where people have died because of gun affiliated attacks. Today, one of the biggest and most dangerous controversies surrounds the Second Amendment and gun control.

In Dec. 2012, twenty year old Adam Lanza shot and killed twenty children and six adult staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary. This shooting in particular pierced not only the hearts of those in Newton, Connecticut, but also those throughout the country.

Recently, on Dec. 2nd, 2015, a married couple opened fire on the Inland Regional Center at San Bernardino, California. Americans, already uncertain about the availability of firearms, were instantly swept into an uproar. Some called for heavier gun control, certain that getting firearms off the street would stop the attacks. Others believed strongly in the Second Amendment and wanted to keep their guns for protection purposes in the case of another attack.

Dunbar Sophomore Ashley Verdi had her own stance concerning gun control. She said, “Although many people disagree, I believe guns aren’t the thing killing people. It’s people that kill people.”

President Barack Obama announced that he would be carrying out a series of executive actions that he hoped would limit gun violence. These executive actions included:

* Anyone “engaged in the business of selling firearms” must be licensed and are required to conduct background checks on all buyers.

* A 500 million dollar investment in mental-health services

* The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives will announce a rule that will require people purchasing firearms through a trust or corporation to undergo a background check.

* The White House will request funding for two-hundred new ATF agents and investigators to enforce already existing gun control laws.

* The ATF will require licensed dealers to immediately inform law enforcement should their shipments get lost or stolen.

* The FBI will hire more than 230 examiners to process background checks on an overhauled system.

Due to his extreme use of executive power, opponents of his views protested that he was over-asserting his authority. House Speaker Paul Ryan cautioned that perhaps Obama’s actions were a “dangerous level of executive overreach.” Politician and presidential candidate Jeb Bush tweeted, “I’ll repeal his executive orders and protect 2nd amend.”

Another Republican candidate, Donald Trump, warned, “Pretty soon, you won’t be able to get guns.” He, along with many others, accused Obama of “undermining the rule of the law.”

Dunbar Junior Ellen Danford doesn’t believe that Obama’s actions are as extreme as people are making them out to be. She said, “I think people are going a little crazy about his gun control speech because he didn’t actually create a law or an act he’ll still have to pass the actions through Congress. Also, the measures that he said don’t actually take away guns and don’t violate the Second Amendment.”

Presidents in the past have used executive actions in order to push Congress into action. Should Congress not act, the President “wins” and his actions will become official regulations. And even if Congress does act, the President still stands a strong chance in having his proposed actions passed and signed into law.

In a show of emotion, President Barack Obama combated hid opponents’ in saying, “Until we have a Congress that’s in line with the majority of Americans, there are actions within my legal authority that we can take to help reduce gun violence and save more lives.”

While gun control advocates may be pleased with these executive actions, others may not. Those devoted to the Second Amendment may not be willing to comply. Either way, it is a waiting game as Americans will soon see how these executive actions will affect the nation.