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]]{{fact}} (similar to the right to Privacy) which we are endowed by our [[God|Creator]] with, and the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]] explicitly recognizes a right to bear arms.

'''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]].  These laws are often seen to conflict with the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]], which recognizes the right to bear arms.

"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:

* Restricting which persons can own firearms and denying some persons this right

* Restricting which persons can own firearms

* Restrictions on the number of firearms a person may own, or purchase during a given time period

* Restrictions on the number of firearms a person may own, or purchase during a given time period

* Requirements that privately owned firearms be registered with the government.  This has led to gun confiscation in countries where it has been enacted.

* Requirements that privately owned firearms be registered with the government.  (Often leading to gun confiscation).

* Bans on certain types of firearms; for example, handguns or so-called "assault" rifles

* Bans on certain types of firearms; for example, handguns or "assault" rifles

* Restrictions on where firearms may be carried, for example into restaurants or post offices

* Restrictions on where firearms may be carried, for example into restaurants or post offices

* Requiring a "background check" and/or a "waiting period" to purchase a firearm

* Requiring a "background check" and/or a "waiting period" to purchase a firearm

Interestingly enough, the Patriot Act is another law that restricts liberties in the name of safety, yet those in favor of the Patriot Act are often opposed to gun control.

Interestingly enough, the Patriot Act is another law that restricts liberties in the name of safety, yet those in favor of the Patriot Act are often opposed to gun control.

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.

Besides the second amendment, studies by John Lott and others indicate 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, gapping holes in vital organs kill people.

After decades of increasing infringement on Second Amendment rights, 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.  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>

After decades of increasing gun control, 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'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>

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