Changes

'''Gun control''' refers to all laws enacted at the federal, state, and local level with the intent of placing restrictions on the right of individual private citizens to keep and bear [[firearms]].  This right is a [[natural right]] which we are endowed by our [[God|Creator]] with, and the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]] explicitly recognizes this pre-existing natural right of individuals to own and carry tools useful for self-defense.

'''Gun control''' refers to all laws enacted at the federal, state, and local level with the intent of placing restrictions on the right of individual private citizens to keep and bear [[firearms]].  This right is a [[natural right]]{{fact}} which we are endowed by our [[God|Creator]] with, and the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]] explicitly recognizes this pre-existing natural right of individuals to own and carry tools useful for self-defense.

"Gun control" is the use of legislation to place restrictions on this right.  This can include:

"Gun control" is the use of legislation to place restrictions on this right.  This can include:

These laws have further been amended by other laws such as the Firearms Owners Protection Act (1986) and the Omnibus Crime Bill (1994).

These laws have further been amended by other laws such as the Firearms Owners Protection Act (1986) and the Omnibus Crime Bill (1994).

Besides the wisdom of natural rights, studies by John Lott and others have proven that gun control isn't practical and doesn't help public safety [http://www.johnrlott.com/].  [[Washington, D.C.]] has one of the highest crime rates in America even though it completely bans private handguns [http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/dccrime.htm].  Simply put, crime statistics show that guns don't kill people, people kill people.

Besides the wisdom of natural rights, studies by John Lott and others have proven that gun control isn't practical and doesn't help public safety <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>.  Simply put, crime statistics show that guns don't kill people, people kill people.

After decades of increasing infringement on Second Amendment rights, the current trend is finally 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.  This law recenly expired and was not renewed by Congress.  Also, Washington's gun ban was struck down as unconstitutional by the U.S. Court of Appeals on March 9, 2007.

After decades of increasing infringement on Second Amendment rights, the current trend is finally 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.  This law recenly expired and was not renewed by Congress.  Also, Washington'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>