The Importance Of Gun Control Laws In The United States

Americans seem to have a love for guns. In the United States gun ownership and gun control are huge political and social issues. Although there are many Americans that would argue that guns ownership is wrong and that there should be stricter gun control laws in the country, there are many more that believe the opposite to be true. The United States, with less than 5 percent of the world’s population, has about 35–50 percent of the world’s civilian-owned guns, according to a report by the Switzerland-based Small Arms Survey, it ranks number one in firearms per capita. The United States also has the highest homicide-by-firearm rate among the world’s most developed nations (Masters). If this is true, then why the fascination for guns in the
Gun ownership is constitutionally protected by the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which concerns the right to bear arms. However, it does not mean that anyone can simply walk into a store and purchase a gun and that is all there is to it. Federal law sets the minimum standards for firearm regulation in the United States, but individual states have their own laws, some of which provide further restriction, others which are more lenient (Masters). There are many reasons why Americans are against gun control in their country and why they feel it is something they should be entitled to. Owning a gun is part of the American consciousness, it is part of who Americans are because it is guaranteed by the Constitution and therefore it is a birthright, many believe that firearm ownership by law abiding citizens can reduce crimes, and it provides American with the right to individual