Gun Control

Guns have been an issue since the founding of our nation. Our forefathers decided that a

well regulated militia was necessary to the security of a free state, the right for people to keep and bear arms should not be infringed. Since the beginning the government has controlled the citizen's rights in regard to firearms. Back in 1999, citizens were being limited just as our ancestors were the only government has taken the responsibility away from the individual and placed it on the manufacturer of the firearm. The media coverage from firearm-related deaths have caused the government to get involved on the manufacturing and banning of firearms.

To start off by discussing firearms we must have an understanding of the word firearm. In the Merrian-Webster Dictionary, a firearm is a weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder-usually used of small arms. This definition is quite vague and kind of confusing to those who are not knowledge in the firearm subject. Other definition of firearms is a rifle, pistol, or other portable guns. Most reporters and organization that is against fire-arms include the assault and the semi-assault weapons.

Many anti-firearms groups have been around since the constitution was written. These organizations believe that gun ownership should be limited and very strict. Their goals is to reduce the violence that ensures government to entact national regulations and bans all types of assault weapons and limited the number of guns individual can during a specific time. (Carter, 47) The banning of assault weapons was thought to reduce violent crimes.

Our Government and Gun Law 3

Anti-firearms organizations feel that the private citizen should not own them. However, felon find their way obtained these weapons illegally. Most of them obtain them from

other source s other than gun stores. They use the internet and get them from stealing them. In 1976, Washington, D.C. put a virtual ban on handguns and in 1991 D.C. homicide rate tripled and while the United States rate rose 12%. Other cities such New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles had very restricted gun laws made up 5% of the United States populations but accounted for 16% of the United States