Understanding Gun Control Background

The issue of gun control in politics is one that has been the subject of much controversy and just as much debate. There are two sides to the argument, those who are support gun rights, and those who support gun control and gun control laws. The dispute has at its core the Second Amendment as found in the Bill of Rights, which states: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.'' Much of the controversy is directly related to the interpretation of this provision of the Constitution. While gun rights activists will claim that because it is stated as such, it shall not be violated or infringed upon any way by any person, faction or organization, including the government. Furthermore, pro-gun enthusiasts also claim that the right to bear arms is not only a constitutional right, but also an inherent and natural human right. Gun control advocates constantly point out that the text itself is fairly vague, and open to a variety of interpretations. For this reason, the provision should be amended in order to provide for a more explicit explanation. Some take it to another extreme and suggest that the entire Second Amendment be removed, for guns pose a direct threat to the people, and in according to law, the government must insure the safety and security of its people. The political debate over the validity and application of the Second Amendment is one that has been constantly battled, but is still deadlocked between both opposing factions.

The issue of gun control has been further debated by more tangible and specific occurrences in the United States. One of these issues is how the availability of guns--regardless of who they are in possession, by those legally permitted or not--is a direct catalyst to the many varying degrees of gun violence. Some of the most commonly discussed issues are school shootings--such as Columbine High School and Virginia Tech--suicide rates, and crime rates. This argument is often countered by gun rights activists by posing the notion of how gun control and regulations can actually provide for measurable and visible differences in the reduction of gun violence or gun-related crime. As far as certain gun legislation has been in place, there has been a validated and noticeable difference pertaining to lower crime rates involving gun violence. However, pro gun rights activist also point out that some of the legislation seems to pose more of a hindrance and inconvenience to lawful gun owners and users, while the law or regulation itself does little in the way of showing any progress or change in crime rates. An example can be the recent legislation passed in California regarding the purchasing and transactions of ammunition. Before the law was passed, ammunition could be bought with out a permit; all that was needed was proof of identification and meet the general age requirements instated by law. Though there is no need to acquire a permit to purchase ammunition, the gun control laws now ask that the buyer provide a thumbprint and personal information to be kept on record every time he/she makes an ammunition purchase. The law enforcement organizations must have access to these files and they will keep on file every purchase made. The reasoning behind this new regulation is to make it more difficult for restricted firearm users or possessor gain access to ammunition, which is illegal under federal law. Furthermore, because there are no background checks made for ammunition purchases, the danger for felons to come in possession of ammunition seems to be a viable threat. Anti-gun control followers are outraged at the current California law staking the claim that it violates gun owners and their privacy. Others oppose the law, such as law enforcement officials themselves, claiming that convicted felons do not acquire firearms or ammunition through legitimate means; they simply will find other ways to get their hands on guns and bullets. Though recent studies have shown that convicted felons have purchased ammunition with out any problem at local retail stores, the majority of the consumers are all legitimate gun owners and users.

Regardless of the arguments for or against, gun control is something that is being implemented in the United States today. Certain studies and reports will correlate that gun control has in fact impacted crime rates involving violence or firearms. However, not all legislation or gun control laws in place have a significant impact on crime. Some laws and regulations with out a doubt make it harder for gun owners and users, which may seem to infringe upon their Second Amendment rights. The reason why the government is at a static stalemate with the issue has to do with making the decision to uphold civil rights and allow the free bearing of arms while possibly endangering many, or enforce gun control strictly and more decisively while possibly violating civil liberties. Gun control is an issue that seems to be debated and argued for a long time to come, and until either argument proves to be more righteous, the issue will continue be discussed from dinner tables in neighborhoods to Congress and the White House.