Changes

'''Gun control''' is the regulation by governments of [[gun]] ownership and the right to carry, conceal, or use [[firearm]]s, often with the result of increasing crime due to the removal of the main deterrent to crime: self-defense.

'''Gun control''' is the regulation by [[government]]s of [[gun]] ownership and the right to carry, conceal, or use [[firearm]]s, often with the result of increasing crime due to the removal of the main deterrent to crime: self-defense.

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>. It should be noted however, that correlation should not necessarily imply causation. DC's high crime rate could be attributable to other factors, such as high poverty rates. Moreover, if gun control laws are designed to combat crime, it would be expected that they would be found in areas with higher crime rates.

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>. It should be noted however, that correlation should not necessarily imply causation. DC's high crime rate could be attributable to other factors, such as high poverty rates. Moreover, if gun control laws are designed to combat crime, it would be expected that they would be found in areas with higher crime rates.

After decades of increasing gun control laws, the current trend in the USA is in the direction of more gun rights.  The 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill included a ban on certain new rifles labeled assault rifles solely because of features of their appearance, and on new high-capacity magazines.  This law recently 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 in the [[United States]] is in the direction of more gun rights.  The 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill included a ban on certain new rifles labeled assault rifles solely because of features of their appearance, and on new high-capacity magazines.  This law recently 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>

[[Libertarian]]s and [[conservative]]s point out that whether or not guns are officially controlled by the government, criminals will commit crimes, and a black market will exist to provide them with firearms. For instance, despite the prohibition of handgun ownership in the [[United Kingdom]], an island nation without any neighboring "gun culture" nations, handgun crime has been steadily increasing there for many years. As of 2005/06, the total deaths by shooting in the UK had increased to 50.<ref>http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0207.pdf</ref>.  Comparably, the United States suffered 11,350 gun deaths in 2005.<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_01.html</ref>However, it should be noted that the USA has a population approximately 5 times greater than the UK, <ref>http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004997.html</ref> and the number of murders by shooting is approximately 200 times higher.

[[Libertarian]]s and [[conservative]]s point out that whether or not guns are officially controlled by the government, criminals will commit crimes, and a black market will exist to provide them with firearms. For instance, despite the prohibition of handgun ownership in the [[United Kingdom]], an island nation without any neighboring "gun culture" nations, handgun crime has been steadily increasing there for many years. As of 2005/06, the total deaths by shooting in the UK had increased to 50.<ref>http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0207.pdf</ref>.  Comparably, the United States suffered 11,350 gun deaths in 2005.<ref>http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_01.html</ref>However, it should be noted that the USA has a population approximately 5 times greater than the UK, <ref>http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004997.html</ref> and the number of murders by shooting is approximately 200 times higher.