Columbine, Co. Through the news we have witnessed the horror, gore and serious crime that has extended its influence even to the youth of small towns across America. America has experienced a cultural change where solid values no longer serve as a deterrent to crime. This spread may have resulted from the desensitizing media under the, "If it bleeds, it reads." marketing ploy, or perhaps the rise of the Internet. However, occurrences such as those at Columbine illustrate the violence that plagues America. Universally, this town represents the insecurity Americans feel under our current gun control policies. We no longer live in the "cleaver" family 50's when streets and schoolyards were safe, door were left unlocked and windows unbarred. Changing times call for changing policies, enforcing stiffer laws and preventing the distribution of guns to violent criminals. Although, under the Clinton/Gore administration violent crime has decreased by 24 percent, both Bush and Gore recognize that the fight against lawlessness and violence has just begun.
             Our founding father's structured the government to have three freedoms: life, liberty, and property. The one which influences the topic at hand is life. The government is responsible to ensure safety; from other countries through a high-powered military, through FDA regulations, through road safety laws and through police enforcement. At this point, the government has created a daunting military reputations, we are ensured healthy food and safe roads; however, most Americans, male or female are afraid to walk alone at night, even in small towns. Some children are afraid to go to school and some teachers fear their own students. With these fears come the failure of one of our founded freedoms: life.
             Americans recognize the threat of serious crime and the need for change. However, another fundamental founding feature of our nation impedes on the ...