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 defend their life through the ownership of [[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''' 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 own [[firearms]]. A common use of firearms are to defend one's life, though accidental death of those who are attacking has occurred.  These laws are often seen to conflict with the [[Second Amendment]] to the [[United States Constitution]], which recognizes the right to bear arms for the purpose of a public militia.

 

The Second Amendment reads: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

==Overview==

==Overview==

The end effect of gun control laws is the concentration of firearms ownership in the hands of the state. This is why gun control is promoted by various statist philosophies such as [[Communism]], [[Socialism]], and [[Fascism]].  

The end effect of gun control laws is the concentration of firearms ownership in the hands of the state. This is why gun control is promoted by various statist philosophies such as [[Communism]], [[Socialism]], and [[Fascism]].  

"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

* Restricting which persons can own firearms, though that was used particularly for African Americans in several southern states. 

* 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.  (Often leading to gun confiscation){{fact}}.

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

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

* Requiring licenses or some other form of permission from the government to buy and/or sell a firearm

* Requiring licenses or some other form of permission from the government to buy and/or sell a firearm

* Requiring some form of permission from the government to carry a firearm in public, either concealed or openly

* Requiring some form of permission from the government to carry a firearm in public, either concealed or openly

* Laws granting special gun rights for some people, for example retired law enforcement officers, which are denied the rest of the public

* Laws granting special gun rights for some people, for example retired law enforcement officers, which are denied the rest of the public, which was used in several southern states. 

* Outright bans on carrying firearms in public

* Outright bans on carrying firearms in public

* Outright bans on private possession of firearms

* Outright bans on private possession of firearms, though this has never occurred in the United States

In the United States the three primary federal gun control laws are:

In the United States the three primary federal gun control laws are:

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).

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 USA 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 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.

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>.  Because of these studies, crime statistics show that guns don't kill people, gapping holes in vital organs kill people. However, these studies prove conclusively that guns are used as a significant mean to causing harm to individuals. 

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>

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 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>

==Constitutional Debate==

==Constitutional Debate==