Gun control is undoubtedly an issue that most Americans have been exposed to. In 1989, guns killed 11,832 Americans. The National Rifle Association (NRA) membersbelieve that it is their constitutional right to own guns, stating that guns are not the root ofthe crime problem in the United States. Gun control activists like the members of theCoalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) argue that guns are responsible for the majorityof violent crimes that take place. They wish to instill many types of bans and waitingperiods on firearms, making it nearly impossible to obtain a handgun. In fact, in 1993 theBrady Bill, which mandates a waiting period on buying firearms, was passed. Theirarguments range from protecting children to saying that guns are diseases, but when onelooks at the facts, though, the arguments of gun control advocates seem irrelevant and itbecomes clear that guns should not be controlled. Gun ownership by private citizens is protected under the 2nd Amendment. Itstates that €œA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, theright of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.€ The forefathers ofour country meant for the people to own and use firearms, and any law or control on thatright would be unconstitutional. Gun control activists essentially believe the SecondAmendment guarantees only to its militia the right of arms, but the €œGun controlproponents have yet to identify even a single quote from one of the founders to supporttheir claim€ (Silver 78). The 2nd Amendment supports gun owners, and hardevidence that it does otherwise is nonexistent. Gun control advocates have been lobbying for 7 years for the passage of the BradyBill, which makes a waiting period mandatory for all national firearm sales. Ironically,the passage of this bill in 1993 has done nothing to reduce crime; in fact violence hasrisen still since the passage of the bill. This bill,...
