Changes

Gun control laws often lead to gun confiscation.

Gun control laws often lead to gun confiscation.

Studies by John Lott and others indicate that gun control causes higher crime rates<ref>http://www.johnrlott.com/</ref>.  [[Washington, D.C.]] has one of the highest crime rates in America even though it completely bans private handguns <ref>http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/dccrime.htm</ref>.  

Studies by John Lott and others indicate that gun control causes higher crime rates<ref>http://www.johnrlott.com/</ref>.  [[Washington, D.C.]] has one of the highest crime rates in America even though it completely bans private handguns <ref>http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/dccrime.htm</ref>. Guns are freely available in nearby Virginia however. All Western nations which have stricter gun control laws have lower death by shooting rates than the United States.

After decades of increasing gun control laws, the current trend is in the direction of more gun rights.  The 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill included a ban on certain "rifles" labeled assault rifles solely because of features of their appearance (and lethal fire power).  This law recenly expired and was not renewed by Congress.  Also, Washington D.C.'s gun ban was struck down as unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals on March 9, 2007.<ref>http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070309-102401-2730r.htm</ref>

After decades of increasing gun control laws, the current trend is in the direction of more gun rights.  The 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill included a ban on certain "rifles" labeled assault rifles solely because of features of their appearance (and lethal fire power).  This law recenly expired and was not renewed by Congress.  Also, Washington D.C.'s gun ban was struck down as unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals on March 9, 2007.<ref>http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070309-102401-2730r.htm</ref>