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Gun control (view source)

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*Duke, Selwyn (September 17, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/reviews/opinion/item/33437-shocking-beto-admits-he-wants-to-outlaw-almost-all-guns Shocking! Beto Admits He Wants to Outlaw Almost All Guns]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 17, 2019.</ref> people by restricting the lawful purchase, ownership, or carrying of [[gun]]s, under the guise of "public safety." Studies show that increasing lawful access to guns results in less overall crime,<ref>''Shall issue: the new wave of concealed handgun permit laws'', Cramer C and Kopel D. Golden CO: Independence Institute Issue Paper. October 17, 1994</ref> but [[Leftist]]s push gun control because it increases the dependency of voters on government for protection while disarming citizens from any [[self-defense]] against violent crime or [[tyranny]] such as [[genocide]]. Supporters of gun control need only to look at leftist dictatorships such as [[Venezuela]].<ref>Hawkins, Awr (April 30, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/30/msnbc-venezuela-coverage-shows-why-u-s-founders-wanted-armed-citizenry/ MSNBC Venezuela Coverage Shows Why U.S. Founders Wanted Armed Citizenry]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 1, 2019.</ref><ref>Byas, Steve (May 1, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/32167-msnbc-reporter-s-remarks-illustrate-need-for-right-to-keep-and-bear-arms MSNBC Reporter’s Remarks Illustrate Need for Right to Keep and Bear Arms]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 1, 2019.</ref>

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'''''The political effect of gun control is to shift voters leftward, and hence gun control is pushed hard by the [[liberal media]] and [[leftist]] politicians'''''.<ref>[http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/quotes/repeal.html Quotes of Leftists Demanding Gun Control]</ref> In the [[United Kingdom]], which already had the strictest gun control in [[Europe]], [[Leftists]] demanded control over 120,000 ''deactivated'' guns, although their activation and use constitute only 0.04% of all gun offenses there. But leftists want gun control because fewer guns ~~means~~ greater dependency on government.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3168607.ece</ref> Gun control is a form of [[doublespeak]].

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'''''The political effect of gun control is to shift voters leftward, and hence gun control is pushed hard by the [[liberal media]] and [[leftist]] politicians'''''.<ref>[http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/quotes/repeal.html Quotes of Leftists Demanding Gun Control]</ref> In the [[United Kingdom]], which already had the strictest gun control in [[Europe]], [[Leftists]] demanded control over 120,000 ''deactivated'' guns, although their activation and use constitute only 0.04% of all gun offenses there. But leftists want gun control because fewer guns mean greater dependency on the government.<ref>http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3168607.ece</ref> Gun control is a form of [[doublespeak]].

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In a stunning blow to the gun control effort just after [[Independence Day]] 2018, the case ''Defense Distributed v. U.S. Department of State'' resulted in a settlement<ref>[https://www.dailywire.com/news/32872/doj-settles-landmark-gun-suit-safeguarding-second-amanda-prestigiacomo DOJ Settles In Landmark Gun Suit, Safeguarding The Second Amendment]</ref> and an admission on part of the [[Department of Justice]] that stated:

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In a stunning blow to the gun control effort just after [[Independence Day]] 2018, the case ''Defense Distributed v. U.S. Department of State'' resulted in a settlement<ref>[https://www.dailywire.com/news/32872/doj-settles-landmark-gun-suit-safeguarding-second-amanda-prestigiacomo DOJ Settles In Landmark Gun Suit, Safeguarding The Second Amendment]</ref> and an admission on the part of the [[Department of Justice]] that stated:

<blockquote>"Non-automatic firearms up to .50-caliber – including modern semi-auto sporting rifles such as the popular [[AR-15]] and similar firearms – are not inherently military."<ref>[http://joshblackman.com/blog/2018/07/10/doj-second-amendment-foundation-reach-settlement-in-defense-distributed-lawsuit/ DOJ, Second Amendment Foundation Reach Settlement In Defense Distributed Lawsuit]</ref></blockquote>

In many other countries, gun ownership is not a constitutional right as in the U.S., so gun control is often strict.

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Gun control is a denial or limitation by [[government]]s of the right to armed [[self-defense]]. "In contrast to most other weaponry, firearms are preeminently defensive in effect."<ref name=polsby>{{cite news|url=http://www.constitution.org/2ll/2ndschol/76holo.htm |work=Washington University Law Quarterly|title=OF HOLOCAUSTS AND GUN CONTROL|quote=This essay seeks to reclaim a serious argument from the lunatic fringe. |first=Daniel|last=Polsby|date=Fall 1997|accessdate=July 14, 2016}}</ref> as promised by the [[Second Amendment]] of the Constitution of the [[United States of America]]. Genocide has occurred only after gun control first disarmed the citizenry.<ref name=polsby/>

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Proponents use the discredited – but superficially appealing – claim that fewer lawfully-owned guns lead to less crime, although guns are primarily defensive weapons<ref>People who support gun control claim that gun control laws significantly reduce violent crime. [http://home.sprynet.com/~owl1/irrationality.htm Why People Are Irrational about Politics]</ref><ref>Gun control primarily restricts the lawful acquisition and use of guns. Over 99% of the guns restricted by most gun control ~~regulation~~ are used in a lawful manner.</ref> (see [[Concealed carry]]).

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Proponents use the discredited – but superficially appealing – claim that fewer lawfully-owned guns lead to less crime, although guns are primarily defensive weapons<ref>People who support gun control claim that gun control laws significantly reduce violent crime. [http://home.sprynet.com/~owl1/irrationality.htm Why People Are Irrational about Politics]</ref><ref>Gun control primarily restricts the lawful acquisition and use of guns. Over 99% of the guns restricted by most gun control regulations are used in a lawful manner.</ref> (see [[Concealed carry]]).

Gun control laws cause enormous hardships. In May 2012, a gun control law resulted in a 20-year prison sentence against an [[African American]] woman for merely firing warning shots against her husband, and there was widespread outrage in [[Florida]] against this unconscionable sentence.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2012/05/11/justice/florida-stand-ground-sentencing/index.html?hpt=hp_t3</ref>

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

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Seeking a loophole in the federal gun laws, in 2009 Montana passed a law "making guns that are made and kept within state boundaries exempt from federal regulations" including "background checks, licensing and registration."<ref>http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6367553</ref> However, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that all gun sales affect interstate commerce to the point that federal regulation attaches to guns even if the gun owners and ~~manufacturer~~ promise to keep that make of gun within a single state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2013/08/23/10-36094.pdf|title=''MSSA v. Holder''|work=Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals|date=August 23, 2013|format=PDF|accessdate=April 22, 2016}}</ref>

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Seeking a loophole in the federal gun laws, in 2009 Montana passed a law "making guns that are made and kept within state boundaries exempt from federal regulations" including "background checks, licensing and registration."<ref>http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6367553</ref> However, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that all gun sales affect interstate commerce to the point that federal regulation attaches to guns even if the gun owners and manufacturers promise to keep that make of gun within a single state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2013/08/23/10-36094.pdf|title=''MSSA v. Holder''|work=Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals|date=August 23, 2013|format=PDF|accessdate=April 22, 2016}}</ref>

Most gun control laws are found on the state level, particularly in liberal-leaning states.<ref>Byas, Steve (September 12, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/33399-second-amendment-under-assault-in-the-states Second Amendment Under Assault in the States]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 12, 2019.</ref>

==Weapon forfeiture==

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One of the main stated goals of gun control is to prevent criminals from using weapons to commit crimes. So, in addition to laws regulating the sale and possession of weapons, some laws specify forfeiture if a weapon was used ~~during the course of~~ committing a crime. For example, [http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title19.2/chapter22.2/section19.2-386.29/ Virginia Code § 19.2-386.29] provides:

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One of the main stated goals of gun control is to prevent criminals from using weapons to commit crimes. So, in addition to laws regulating the sale and possession of weapons, some laws specify forfeiture if a weapon was used while committing a crime. For example, [http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title19.2/chapter22.2/section19.2-386.29/ Virginia Code § 19.2-386.29] provides:

<blockquote>All pistols, shotguns, rifles, dirks, bowie knives, switchblade knives, ballistic knives, razors, slingshots, brass or metal knucks, blackjacks, stun weapons, and other weapons used by any person in the commission of a criminal offense, shall, upon conviction of such person, be forfeited to the Commonwealth by order of the court trying the case.</blockquote>

There are also federal laws specifying the forfeiture of weapons used during a crime.<ref>E.g.,16 U.S. Code § 128</ref>

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Actual gun-related crime deaths in the United States are far out of proportion to the 300 million firearms owned by its populace.

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There are about 30,000 gun-related deaths per year out of a population of 328 million, but a recent breakdown shows that even these low amounts have little to do with violent criminality. 23,000 of them are suicides, which can't be prevented by gun laws. 1,000 of them are caused by police in the line of duty, so are not connected to gun-control laws. 500 are accidental deaths, so are also non-criminal, leaving mostly criminal 5,500 gun-related deaths.

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There are about 30,000 gun-related deaths per year out of a population of 328 million, but a recent breakdown shows that even these low amounts have little to do with violent criminality. 23,000 of them are suicides, which can't be prevented by gun laws. 1,000 of them are caused by police in the line of duty, so are not connected to gun-control laws. 500 are accidental deaths, and so are also non-criminal, leaving mostly criminal 5,500 gun-related deaths.

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Of these 5,500, a large share of these occur in large cities, the greatness of which ~~suggest~~ them to be the effect of municipal mismanagement rather than an excess of firearms. For example, strict gun controls in London on the other side of the Atlantic caused a mushrooming of knife crime.

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Of these 5,500, a large share of these occur in large cities, the greatness of which suggests them to be the effect of municipal mismanagement rather than an excess of firearms. For example, strict gun controls in London on the other side of the Atlantic caused a mushrooming of knife crime.

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America's large cities' tendencies to violence, the deaths of which would not be expected to change, regardless of weapons of choice, can be subtracted as follows: 298 in St. Louis, 327 in Detroit, 328 in Baltimore, 764 in Chicago. These four chronically-mismanaged cities alone account for a full 30% of all statistically-reduced 5,500 criminal gun deaths, leaving 3,900 criminal gun-related causes-of-death for everywhere else in America.

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America's large cities' tendencies to violence, the deaths of which would not be expected to change, regardless of weapons of choice, can be subtracted as follows: 298 in St. Louis, 327 in Detroit, 328 in Baltimore, 764 in Chicago. These four chronically mismanaged cities alone account for a full 30% of all statistically reduced 5,500 criminal gun deaths, leaving 3,900 criminal gun-related causes-of-death for everywhere else in America.

Risk-comparison studies show these numbers of deaths in the United States to be small both when compared with other causes of death and when compared with the proportion of media coverage they receive.

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For example 70,000+ die each year of drug overdoses, 49,000 die each year of the flu, 37,000 die of traffic fatalities, 250,000 die of preventable medical errors and 610,000 die of heart disease.

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For example, 70,000+ die each year of drug overdoses, 49,000 die each year of the flu, 37,000 die of traffic fatalities, 250,000 die of preventable medical errors, and 610,000 die of heart disease.

Studies by [[John Lott]] and others also indicate that gun control causes higher crime rates.<ref>[http://www.johnrlott.com/ John Lott's Website]</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 District of Columbia Crime Rates 1960 - 2006]</ref> "Switzerland, Israel, Denmark and Finland, all of whom have a higher gun ownership rate than America, all have lower crime rates than America, in fact, their crime rates are among the lowest in the Western World."<ref>Slashdoc - [http://www.slashdoc.com/documents/71244 gun control]</ref> Lott demonstrates that in Britain, [[Australia]] and [[Canada]], increased gun control in the late 1990s led to increased crime, the exact opposite of what the proponents of the gun control promised.<ref>John R. Lott Jr. and Eli Lehrer - [http://johnrlott.tripod.com/op-eds/IBDGunConFailure.html Add Gun Control To Litany Of Misbegotten Gov't Plans]</ref> States in the [[U.S.]] that have enacted concealed-carry laws enjoy lower crime rates.<ref>[http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=4706 Cato report]</ref>

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In Australia, where gun ownership was less widespread and the gun control measures were less strict, there was an immediate increase in robbery and armed robbery after the gun control went into effect in 1996 (see chart at right).<ref>

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Gun control passed in Australia because "public was immediately whipped into a gun control frenzy by the press" after the "Port Arthur massacre" in Tasmania on April 28, 1996, in which 32 were shot dead and 19 injured. "Although polls done prior to the massacre indicated that the public was satisfied with the amount of 'gun control' they already had, a major newspaper did a poll just a few days after the massacre (while all minds were "clear") and, not surprisingly, found high levels of support for extreme gun control measures. This poll would be used forever by the commonwealth government and other gun controllers to claim that Australians supported the new gun laws to come." - [http://www.gunsandcrime.org/aussiegc.html Gun Control in Australia] (by gunsandcrime.org)</ref>

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Gun control passed in Australia because the "public was immediately whipped into a gun control frenzy by the press" after the "Port Arthur massacre" in Tasmania on April 28, 1996, in which 32 were shot dead and 19 injured. "Although polls done prior to the massacre indicated that the public was satisfied with the amount of 'gun control' they already had, a major newspaper did a poll just a few days after the massacre (while all minds were "clear") and, not surprisingly, found high levels of support for extreme gun control measures. This poll would be used forever by the commonwealth government and other gun controllers to claim that Australians supported the new gun laws to come." - [http://www.gunsandcrime.org/aussiegc.html Gun Control in Australia] (by gunsandcrime.org)</ref>

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There is no clear evidence supporting a decrease in crime from gun control.<ref name="Results">[http://www.gunsandcrime.org/auresult.html Results of the Australian Gun "Buyback" & New Gun Laws], October 2001</ref><ref>[http://bjc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/azl084v1 Study showing lack of promised benefits from gun control]</ref> Although from 1979 to 1996, 11,110 Australians died by gunshot representing an annual average of 617. In the seven years after new gun laws were announced (1997 to 2003), the yearly average almost halved, to 331. In the decade up to and including Port Arthur There have been 11 mass shootings where 100 people were shot dead and another 52 wounded, while in In the 10 years since 1996 and the new gun laws, not one mass shooting (more than five victims) has occurred in Australia (although in 2002 a gunman killed two and wounded four at Monash University) <ref name="theage.com.au">http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/a-safer-place-after-howards-gun-buyback/2006/04/27/1145861484114.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1</ref>

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There is no clear evidence supporting a decrease in crime from gun control.<ref name="Results">[http://www.gunsandcrime.org/auresult.html Results of the Australian Gun "Buyback" & New Gun Laws], October 2001</ref><ref>[http://bjc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/azl084v1 Study showing lack of promised benefits from gun control]</ref> Although from 1979 to 1996, 11,110 Australians died by gunshot representing an annual average of 617. In the seven years after new gun laws were announced (1997 to 2003), the yearly average almost halved, to 331. In the decade up to and including Port Arthur There have been 11 mass shootings where 100 people were shot dead and another 52 wounded, while in the 10 years since 1996 and the new gun laws, not one mass shooting (more than five victims) has occurred in Australia (although in 2002 a gunman killed two and wounded four at Monash University) <ref name="theage.com.au">http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/a-safer-place-after-howards-gun-buyback/2006/04/27/1145861484114.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1</ref>

Subsequent to gun control in England:<ref>http://www.reason.com/news/show/28582.html</ref>

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:"from 1997 to 2001, the rate of violent crime more than doubled. Your chances of being mugged in London are now [as of 2002] six times greater than in New York. England's rates of assault, robbery, and burglary are far higher than America's, and 53 percent of English burglaries occur while occupants are at home, compared with 13 percent in the U.S., where burglars admit to fearing armed homeowners more than the police. In a United Nations study of crime in 18 developed nations published in July, England and Wales led the Western world's crime league, with nearly 55 crimes per 100 people."<ref>However this increase in recorded violent crime between 1997 and 2001 is explained by the Home Office as a result of changes in the definition of violent crime and new counting rules introduced in 1998. [http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/rdsolr1804.pdf Violent Crime in England and Wales] According to the British Crime Survey, which is considered a more reliable guide to trends in crime [http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/crime-statistics-independent-review-06.pdf], violent crime fell 24% between 1997 and 2001/02, and burglary fell 40% over the same period.[http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1105tab201.xls Trends in BCS incidents of crime]</ref>

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Gun control in Britain and Australia has been followed by a predictable shift to the left politically by voters as they lost their instrument of self-defense and became more emotionally dependent on government. Contrast that with the [[United States]], where an effort to push gun control after the [[Columbine massacre]] failed in 2000 and the government has remained as [[conservative]]—if not more so—ever since.

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Gun control in Britain and Australia has been followed by a predictable shift to the left politically by voters as they lost their instrument of self-defense and became more emotionally dependent on the government. Contrast that with the [[United States]], where an effort to push gun control after the [[Columbine massacre]] failed in 2000 and the government has remained as [[conservative]]—if not more so—ever since.

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The emasculation of the citizenry by gun control also arguably reduces the resistance of a society to intimidation, and exacerbates fear of consequences ~~from~~ causing offense. Subsequent to the passage of strict gun control in [[England]] some teachers have avoided teaching controversial subjects such as the [[Holocaust]], the Arab-Israeli conflict and the [[Crusades]] during history classes.<ref>http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RW100.pdf</ref>

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The emasculation of the citizenry by gun control also arguably reduces the resistance of a society to intimidation and exacerbates fear of consequences for causing offense. Subsequent to the passage of strict gun control in [[England]] some teachers have avoided teaching controversial subjects such as the [[Holocaust]], the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the [[Crusades]] during history classes.<ref>http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RW100.pdf</ref>

Teaching Emotive and Controversial History 3-19 (p. 15) The anti-self-defense attitude of British authorities has also turned criminals into "victims" and victims who fight back into "criminals." One particularly egregious case involved a farmer being sentenced to life imprisonment for defending himself in his home after the home was repeatedly burglarized <ref>http://www.theinternetparty.org/commentary/c_s.php?td=200107200000&section_type=com</ref>

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By removing the deterrent effect of guns, gun control causes dramatic increases in crimes committed with other weapons:<ref name="bbc">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2656875.stm</ref>

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:You are now six times more likely to be mugged in [[London]] than [[New York]]. Why? Because as common law appreciated, not only does an armed individual have the ability to protect himself or herself but criminals are less likely to attack them. They help keep the peace. A study found American burglars fear armed home-owners more than the police. As a result burglaries are much rarer and only 13% occur when people are at home, in contrast to 53% in England.

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:"You are now six times more likely to be mugged in [[London]] than [[New York]]. Why? Because as common law appreciated, not only does an armed individual have the ability to protect himself or herself but criminals are less likely to attack them. They help keep the peace. A study found American burglars fear armed home-owners more than the police. As a result burglaries are much rarer and only 13% occur when people are at home, in contrast to 53% in England."

Supporters of gun control argue that homicide with guns is much less in [[England]] than in the [[United States]],<ref>In 2005/06, the total number of victims of homicide by shooting (including crossbows) in England and Wales was 50 and there were 212 victims of homicide by sharp instruments. Home Office Statistical Bulletin - [http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0207.pdf Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2005/2006][http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb0104.pdf] The data for gun deaths in the United States include guns used in self-defense, as in fending off an assault, robbery or rape, and there were a total of 11,350 gun deaths (including deaths of criminals) in 2005. US Department of Justice, FBI - [http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_01.html Crime in the United States by Volume and Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants, 1986 - 2005]</ref> but that was true even before gun control and is likely due to cultural reasons. "A study comparing New York and London over 200 years found the New York homicide rate consistently five times the London rate, although for most of that period residents of both cities had unrestricted access to firearms. When guns were available in England they were seldom used in crime. A government study for 1890-1892 found an average of one handgun homicide a year in a population of 30 million."<ref name="bbc" />

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The "right to keep and bear arms" is a right guaranteed to the American citizen by the Bill of Rights through the virtue of a selective reading of said Bill. The phrase "a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state" precedes the statement, and most federal Courts of Appeals have held that this phrase requires that the "right to bear arms" relates to the collective rights of state militias, as opposed to the individual's rights to have any weapon desired. Just recently, the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit went against nine other circuits in holding that the Second Amendment constitutes an individual right.<ref>The New York Times - [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/10/washington/10gun.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Court Rejects Strict Gun Law as Unconstitutional]</ref><ref>FOX News - [https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,258067,00.html Appeals Court Strikes Down Washington, D.C. Handgun Ban]</ref> However, according to the judge writing for the majority in this case, its decision does still allow for "reasonable restrictions" on gun ownership and use, such as carrying of guns by intoxicated individuals, or in churches.

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Only six cities in the United States ban handguns: [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Chicago]], and four of its suburbs.<ref>David Kopel, "The Democrats and Gun Control," Wall St.J., Page A19, April 17, 2008 [http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120839466717921537-lMyQjAxMDI4MDE4NzMxOTc0Wj.html]</ref> Some specific locations have also been labeled "[[gun-free zone]]s," including schools, shopping malls, movie theaters, corporate offices, and more. In most cases, mass-shootings take place in these gun-free zones, since those who obey the rules do not carry, while those already planning to break the law disregard this rule. When attempted in areas where firearms are permitted, [[Mass shootings prevented by armed citizens|mass-shootings have often been quickly stopped by armed citizens]].

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Only six cities in the United States ban handguns: [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Chicago]], and four of its suburbs.<ref>David Kopel, "The Democrats and Gun Control," Wall St.J., Page A19, April 17, 2008 [http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120839466717921537-lMyQjAxMDI4MDE4NzMxOTc0Wj.html]</ref> Some specific locations have also been labeled "[[gun-free zone]]s," including schools, shopping malls, movie theaters, corporate offices, and more. In most cases, mass shootings take place in these gun-free zones, since those who obey the rules do not carry, while those already planning to break the law disregard this rule. When attempted in areas where firearms are permitted, [[Mass shootings prevented by armed citizens| mass shootings have often been quickly stopped by armed citizens]].

Support for stricter gun control laws fell deeply between 1992 and 2012, and while it rose in the succeeding six years, support levels remained far lower than in 1992.<ref>Hawkins, Awr (October 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/10/20/poll-gun-control-support-down-17-percent-over-past-28-years/ Poll: Gun Control Support Down 17 Percent Over Past 28 Years]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 21, 2018.</ref>

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The sixth commandment of the [[Ten Commandments]] in Exodus 20:13 in the [[Bible]] states, "You shall not murder."

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Advocates point to the number of accidental deaths caused by children gaining access to improperly-stored guns. According to the [[Brady Campaign]], a [[liberal]] organization that advocates for gun control, in the United States, " 1 out of 3 homes with kids have guns and nearly 1.7 million children live in a home with an unlocked, loaded gun."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradycampaign.org/key-gun-violence-statistics|title=Key Gun Violence Statistics|accessdate=July 14, 2017}}</ref>

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Advocates point to the number of accidental deaths caused by children gaining access to improperly stored guns. According to the [[Brady Campaign]], a [[liberal]] organization that advocates for gun control, in the United States, " 1 out of 3 homes with kids have guns and nearly 1.7 million children live in a home with an unlocked, loaded gun."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradycampaign.org/key-gun-violence-statistics|title=Key Gun Violence Statistics|accessdate=July 14, 2017}}</ref>

Another argument is that of suicide prevention. Guns are highly effective tools for committing suicide with a reported success rate of over 95%, whereas other common methods such as overdoses and cutting have a less than 10% success rate.

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Critics, such as Awr Hawkins of [[Breitbart.com]], have argued that background checks, a form of gun control, have done nothing to prevent gun crimes.<ref name="Hawkins"/>

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Hawkins has also pointed out that despite [[France]] having very strict gun control laws, the nation has had many [[List of Islamist terrorist attacks|Islamic terrorist attacks]] that used a variety of weapons, including guns and ~~rifes~~.<ref>Hawkins, Awr (April 21, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/21/france-2015-to-present-strict-gun-control-a-paper-tiger/ France 2015 to Present: Strict Gun Control a Paper Tiger]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 22, 2017.</ref>

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Hawkins has also pointed out that despite [[France]] having very strict gun control laws, the nation has had many [[List of Islamist terrorist attacks|Islamic terrorist attacks]] that used a variety of weapons, including guns and rifles.<ref>Hawkins, Awr (April 21, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/21/france-2015-to-present-strict-gun-control-a-paper-tiger/ France 2015 to Present: Strict Gun Control a Paper Tiger]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 22, 2017.</ref>

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Since 1950, 97.8% of mass public shootings have occurred in [[gun-free zone]]s.<ref>[https://crimeresearch.org/2018/06/more-misleading-information-from-bloombergs-everytown-for-gun-safety-on-guns-analysis-of-recent-mass-shootings/ UPDATED: Mass Public Shootings keep occurring in Gun-Free Zones: 97.8% of attacks since 1950]. ''Crime Prevention Research Center''. June 15, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.</ref><ref>Hawkins, Awr (November 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/11/20/study-97-8-percent-mass-shootings-since-1950-gun-free-zones/ Study: 97.8% of Mass Shootings Since 1950 Occurred in ‘Gun-Free Zones’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 20, 2018.</ref> On the other hand, a 2018 analysis of FBI data by Jacob Paulsen found that 94% of all mass shootings [[Mass shootings prevented by armed citizens|were thwarted by law-abiding armed citizens]].<ref>Duke, Selwyn (November 28, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/30766-guns-saving-lives-study-armed-citizens-thwart-active-shooters-94-of-the-time Guns Save Lives — Armed Citizens Thwart Active Shooters 94 Percent of the Time]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 28, 2018.</ref> Additionally, the U.S. experiences a lower rate of mass shootings compared to the global average.<ref>Tapscott, Mark (June 2, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/data-call-into-question-demands-for-new-gun-control-laws_2947821.html Data May Call Into Question Demands for New Gun Control Laws]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved June 3, 2019.</ref> Student deaths by active-shooters are nine times more likely in gun-free zones.<ref>Duke, Selwyn (July 2, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/32759-student-active-shooter-deaths-9-times-as-likely-with-gun-free-zone-status-quo Student Active-shooter Deaths 9 Times as Likely With "Gun-free Zone" Status Quo]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 3, 2019.</ref>

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Since 1950, 97.8% of mass public shootings have occurred in [[gun-free zone]]s.<ref>[https://crimeresearch.org/2018/06/more-misleading-information-from-bloombergs-everytown-for-gun-safety-on-guns-analysis-of-recent-mass-shootings/ UPDATED: Mass Public Shootings keep occurring in Gun-Free Zones: 97.8% of attacks since 1950]. ''Crime Prevention Research Center''. June 15, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2018.</ref><ref>Hawkins, Awr (November 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/11/20/study-97-8-percent-mass-shootings-since-1950-gun-free-zones/ Study: 97.8% of Mass Shootings Since 1950 Occurred in ‘Gun-Free Zones’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 20, 2018.</ref> On the other hand, a 2018 analysis of FBI data by Jacob Paulsen found that 94% of all mass shootings [[Mass shootings prevented by armed citizens|were thwarted by law-abiding armed citizens]].<ref>Duke, Selwyn (November 28, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/30766-guns-saving-lives-study-armed-citizens-thwart-active-shooters-94-of-the-time Guns Save Lives — Armed Citizens Thwart Active Shooters 94 Percent of the Time]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 28, 2018.</ref> Additionally, the U.S. experiences a lower rate of mass shootings compared to the global average.<ref>Tapscott, Mark (June 2, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/data-call-into-question-demands-for-new-gun-control-laws_2947821.html Data May Call Into Question Demands for New Gun Control Laws]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved June 3, 2019.</ref> Student deaths by active shooters are nine times more likely in gun-free zones.<ref>Duke, Selwyn (July 2, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/32759-student-active-shooter-deaths-9-times-as-likely-with-gun-free-zone-status-quo Student Active-shooter Deaths 9 Times as Likely With "Gun-free Zone" Status Quo]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 3, 2019.</ref>

==Constitutional debate==

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"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."

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Most constitutional scholars agree that since the amendment refers to "the right of the People" instead of the right of the militia, it protects an individual right to own guns. The reason for this was the fact that the supplying of guns for the military and ~~militas~~ was already provided for in Article I Section 8 as a power of Congress. The extent of that right was something hotly debated for decades, until the Supreme Court ruling of 26 June 2008, Heller v District of Columbia.

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Most constitutional scholars agree that since the amendment refers to "the right of the People" instead of the right of the militia, it protects an individual right to own guns. The reason for this was the fact that the supplying of guns for the military and militias was already provided for in Article I Section 8 as a power of Congress. The extent of that right was something hotly debated for decades, until the Supreme Court ruling of 26 June 2008, Heller v District of Columbia.

The majority opinion, written by Justice [[Antonin Scalia]], held for the first time that the Constitution provides an individual right to bear arms, such as for self-defense, rather than a right that applies only to a state militia.

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* "Gun sweeps" by police in "high crime neighborhoods" whereby vehicles and "pedestrians who meet a specific profile that might indicate they are carrying a weapon" are searched are becoming popular, and are being studied by the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] as "Operation Ceasefire."

* Some U.S. cities with high minority populations, such as Washington, D.C., are singled out for gun bans.

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* "Project Exile" began in the U.S. city of Richmond, Virginia and mandated that people arrested for technical firearms violations (note: not for violent crimes committed with a firearm, but for technical violations of the law) be tried in federal court where they would be subject to lengthy mandatory minimum sentences rather than in state court under the more lenient Virginia laws. As with many other restrictions this was aimed primarily at the city's Black residents. It has since been copied in many other cities.

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* "Project Exile" began in the U.S. city of Richmond, Virginia, and mandated that people arrested for technical firearms violations (note: not for violent crimes committed with a firearm, but for technical violations of the law) be tried in federal court where they would be subject to lengthy mandatory minimum sentences rather than in state court under the more lenient Virginia laws. As with many other restrictions, this was aimed primarily at the city's Black residents. It has since been copied in many other cities.

The [[Ku Klux Klan]] began also as a gun-control organization.<ref>http://www.examiner.com/article/kkk-began-as-gun-control-organization-confirms-racist-roots-of-gun-control</ref>

== Sexism of gun control ==

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Firearms, especially lower recoiling ones such as many handguns, allow any person to wield enough power to stop another person from attacking them.<ref name="genderDiscrimination1">http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/03/19/firearms-rights-are-a-gender-equality-issue-too/</ref> Many women (quite reasonably) fear the threat of attack by a physically stronger man, and a firearm could prevent many of these attacks, but gun bans leave these women vulnerable. Take the case of the “North Side Rapist” in Chicago, a city where hand guns are banned, as an example: The rapist broke ~~in to~~ the women's homes, and at least one of the women heard him break in and then climb the stairs. Had this woman had a handgun, she almost certainly could have stopped the rapist before it was too late. This would have prevented her from enduring such a horrific crime, as well as preventing the rapist's future victims from experiencing the same thing. Instead, Chicago law prevented her from being able to defend herself, and gave the advantage to the rapist/home-invader. This is not an isolated incident, and similar events happen every day across the county.

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Firearms, especially lower recoiling ones such as many handguns, allow any person to wield enough power to stop another person from attacking them.<ref name="genderDiscrimination1">http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/03/19/firearms-rights-are-a-gender-equality-issue-too/</ref> Many women (quite reasonably) fear the threat of attack by a physically stronger man, and a firearm could prevent many of these attacks, but gun bans leave these women vulnerable. Take the case of the “North Side Rapist” in Chicago, a city where hand guns are banned, as an example: The rapist broke into the women's homes, and at least one of the women heard him break in and then climb the stairs. Had this woman had a handgun, she almost certainly could have stopped the rapist before it was too late. This would have prevented her from enduring such a horrific crime, as well as preventing the rapist's future victims from experiencing the same thing. Instead, Chicago law prevented her from being able to defend herself and gave the advantage to the rapist/home-invader. This is not an isolated incident, and similar events happen every day across the county.

== Elitism of gun control ==

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Many of the most ardent American anti-gun politicians, such as Chicago's Mayor Daley, are protected by taxpayer-sponsored armed ~~body guards~~, but deny law abiding citizens the right to defend themselves with a gun.<ref name="classDiscrimination1">http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/04/16/a-double-standard-anti-gun-politicians-and-their-gun-toting-bodyguards/</ref> These politicians seemingly believe themselves to be part of an elite group who deserve to be protected against violent criminals, while ordinary law-abiding citizens are left with less-effective means to defend themselves, and must instead rely on the police arriving in time.

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Many of the most ardent American anti-gun politicians, such as Chicago's Mayor Daley, are protected by taxpayer-sponsored armed bodyguards, but deny law-abiding citizens the right to defend themselves with a gun.<ref name="classDiscrimination1">http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/04/16/a-double-standard-anti-gun-politicians-and-their-gun-toting-bodyguards/</ref> These politicians seemingly believe themselves to be part of an elite group who deserve to be protected against violent criminals, while ordinary law-abiding citizens are left with less-effective means to defend themselves, and must instead rely on the police arriving in time.

== Gun control outside the United States ==

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Gun control advocates cite foreign countries to argue that gun control can reduce crime, but such comparison can be difficult due to the presence of other factors. For example, they cite [[Singapore]] as having gun control and a lower crime rate than the United States, but Singapore has a population of 5 million people and one of the highest literacy and average wealth in the world. It lacks many of the freedoms found in the United States and strictly imposes harsh physical punishment, such as caning and the [[death penalty]], for crimes that are not punished so harshly in the United States. The real issue of ~~the~~ security in Singapore is its tight criminal control, not the gun control itself.

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Gun control advocates cite foreign countries to argue that gun control can reduce crime, but such comparison can be difficult due to the presence of other factors. For example, they cite [[Singapore]] as having gun control and a lower crime rate than the United States, but Singapore has a population of 5 million people and one of the highest literacy and average wealth in the world. It lacks many of the freedoms found in the United States and strictly imposes harsh physical punishment, such as caning and the [[death penalty]], for crimes that are not punished so harshly in the United States. The real issue of security in Singapore is its tight criminal control, not the gun control itself.

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Gun control supporters also cite [[Gun Control in Japan|Japan's gun control laws]], which severely restrict gun ownership and crime rates are relatively low. But [[Japan]] also lacks many freedoms and diversity ~~which~~ exist in the United States, and Japan has strong cultural deterrents to crime. Ironically, Japan is home to [[Tokyo Marui]], the world's largest airsoft gun manufacturer, which designs airsoft guns that are made to the same scale and with the same materials as the real ~~counterpart~~ and which have been mistaken by police for real guns.

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Gun control supporters also cite [[Gun Control in Japan|Japan's gun control laws]], which severely restrict gun ownership and crime rates are relatively low. But [[Japan]] also lacks many freedoms and diversity that exist in the United States, and Japan has strong cultural deterrents to crime. Ironically, Japan is home to [[Tokyo Marui]], the world's largest airsoft gun manufacturer, which designs airsoft guns that are made to the same scale and with the same materials as the real counterparts and which have been mistaken by police for real guns.

In the [[European Union]], gun control is more strict than in the United States, but gun ownership differs widely between member states, from 36 per 100 people in [[Cyprus]] to one per 100 in [[Poland]]." In [[Switzerland]], on the other hand, gun ownership is quite widespread, which no doubt contributes to its reputation as a peaceful and neutral country.<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/09/27/switzerland.shooting Gun control in Switzerland]</ref> In November 2007, the [[European Parliament]] passed legislation to tighten and harmonize gun control across the EU, and oblige each member state to set up a computerized database of firearms, as it "hoped to prevent Europe from becoming a gun-friendly culture like the United States". Parliament wanted to limit cross-border trade from states with less control to those with tougher laws, such as from [[Lithuania]], where replica guns can cost as little as [[Euro|€]]100 (US$150), to the United Kingdom, where most replicas are outlawed.

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In Australia, gun violence has always been significantly lower than other types of violence.<ref>http://www.gunsandcrime.org/aussiegc.html</ref> Australia has not experienced considerable violence problems with legally purchased guns. It has always had a much lower homicide rate than the more violent culture in the United States.<ref>In Australia the gun related homicide rate is 0.44 per 100,000 of population. In the US it is about 8 times as high at 3.72 per 100,000 of population.</ref> From 1979 to 1996, 11,110 Australians died by gunshot representing an annual average of 617. In the seven years after new gun laws were announced (1997 to 2003), the yearly average almost halved, to 331. In the decade up to and including Port Arthur There have been 11 mass shootings where 100 people were shot dead and another 52 wounded, while in In the 10 years since 1996 and the new gun laws, not one mass shooting (more than five victims) has occurred in Australia (although in 2002 a gunman killed two and wounded four at Monash University).<ref name="theage.com.au"/>

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In Australia, gun violence has always been significantly lower than other types of violence.<ref>http://www.gunsandcrime.org/aussiegc.html</ref> Australia has not experienced considerable violence problems with legally purchased guns. It has always had a much lower homicide rate than the more violent culture in the United States.<ref>In Australia the gun-related homicide rate is 0.44 per 100,000 of the population. In the US it is about 8 times as high at 3.72 per 100,000 of population.</ref> From 1979 to 1996, 11,110 Australians died by gunshot representing an annual average of 617. In the seven years after new gun laws were announced (1997 to 2003), the yearly average almost halved, to 331. In the decade up to and including Port Arthur There have been 11 mass shootings where 100 people were shot dead and another 52 wounded, while in the 10 years since 1996 and the new gun laws, not one mass shooting (more than five victims) has occurred in Australia (although in 2002 a gunman killed two and wounded four at Monash University).<ref name="theage.com.au"/>

Gun control began in Australia in response to fears that guns would be used by home-grown Communist Revolutionaries.<ref>http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1083528 This study discusses the parallel policies of early-mid 20th century Britain and Australia.</ref> The most restrictive reforms were made in 1996 and 2002, following highly publicized shootings.<ref name="ReferenceA">http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/a-safer-place-after-howards-gun-buyback/2006/04/27/1145861484114.html</ref>

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Both sets of reforms (1996 and 2002) were ~~lead~~ by Prime Minister [[John Howard]] of the Coalition (Australia's conservative government). Howard was well known as an anti-gun advocate.<ref name="ReferenceB">http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/anger-lingers-among-those-who-lost-their-firearms/2006/04/27/1145861489398.html</ref> The move offended gun supporters, many of whom had traditionally supported the Coalition.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> Despite the loss of this voting group, Howard won elections following both reforms (in 1998 and 2004).

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Both sets of reforms (1996 and 2002) were led by Prime Minister [[John Howard]] of the Coalition (Australia's conservative government). Howard was well-known as an anti-gun advocate.<ref name="ReferenceB">http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/anger-lingers-among-those-who-lost-their-firearms/2006/04/27/1145861489398.html</ref> The move offended gun supporters, many of whom had traditionally supported the Coalition.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> Despite the loss of this voting group, Howard won elections following both reforms (in 1998 and 2004).

There is controversy over the success of Australia's gun restrictions. Studies suggest overall gun violence has decreased since the 1996 and 2002 bans.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> However, Australia's bike and drug gangs, the main perpetrators of gun violence, still easily access illegal firearms.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/a-disarming-cause/2006/04/27/1145861489519.html</ref> Further, the overall homicide rate remains constant.<ref>http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/a-safer-place-after-howards-gun-buyback/2006/04

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== Gun control and genocide ==

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Gun control "contributes to the probability of its government engaging" in [[genocide]], including the three worst instances in the 20th century:<ref>"[A] society's weapons policy might be one of the institutional arrangements that ~~contributes~~ to the probability of its government engaging in some of the more extreme varieties of outrage. ... [I]t is [] an arresting reality that not one of the principal genocides of the twentieth century, and there have been dozens, has been inflicted on a population that was armed." [http://ls.wustl.edu/WULQ/75-3/753-4.html Washington University Law Quarterly]</ref>

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Gun control "contributes to the probability of its government engaging" in [[genocide]], including the three worst instances in the 20th century:<ref>"[A] society's weapons policy might be one of the institutional arrangements that contribute to the probability of its government engaging in some of the more extreme varieties of outrage. ... [I]t is [] an arresting reality that not one of the principal genocides of the twentieth century, and there have been dozens, has been inflicted on a population that was armed." [http://ls.wustl.edu/WULQ/75-3/753-4.html Washington University Law Quarterly]</ref>

*The [[Ottoman Empire]] had gun control and then, from 1915 to 1918, killed 3.5 million out of 5 million Ottoman Christians, including 1.5 million out of 2 million Armenians, 750,000 out of 1 million Assyrian Christians, and 250,000 million out of 1 million Pontic Greeks.

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*In 1917, one of the first things the Bolsheviks did upon taking power was to disarm the population, and because Czarist Russia was one the most heavily armed societies on earth, the crime rate was just as low as Switzerland, and it was easier to resist Napoleon than Adolf Hitler.<ref>http://www.pravdareport.com/opinion/columnists/28-12-2012/123335-americans_guns-0/</ref> The result of disarmament was a civil war followed by Stalin's purges, whose average estimate killed 20 million.

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*In 1938, [[Nazi Germany]] under [[Adolf Hitler]] imposed gun control and then after sparking World War II, Europe under its control ~~killed~~ killed 6 million out of 9 million European Jews,<ref>https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10008193</ref> as well as 27 million Soviets (one in three were soldiers), 3 million Poles, and 2 million Serbs.<ref>http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/eng/World_War_II_casualties_of_the_Soviet_Union</ref> The American Gun Control Act of 1968 is modeled off the Nazi Gun Control Act of 1938, while the FOID (Firearms Owner's ID), adopted by Illinois in 1968, is modeled off Nazi gun licensing.<ref>http://mobile.wnd.com/2012/12/the-nazi-roots-of-u-s-gun-control-laws/</ref>

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*In 1938, [[Nazi Germany]] under [[Adolf Hitler]] imposed gun control, and then after sparking World War II, Europe under its control killed 6 million out of 9 million European Jews,<ref>https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10008193</ref> as well as 27 million Soviets (one in three were soldiers), 3 million Poles, and 2 million Serbs.<ref>http://www.self.gutenberg.org/articles/eng/World_War_II_casualties_of_the_Soviet_Union</ref> The American Gun Control Act of 1968 is modeled off the Nazi Gun Control Act of 1938, while the FOID (Firearms Owner's ID), adopted by Illinois in 1968, is modeled off Nazi gun licensing.<ref>http://mobile.wnd.com/2012/12/the-nazi-roots-of-u-s-gun-control-laws/</ref>

*In 1935, [[China]] under [[Chiang Kai-shek]] established gun control during the Warlord period, enabling the invading Imperial Japanese Army to easily kill 12 million Chinese during World War II, and then from 1966 to 1976, 20 million political dissidents were killed in [[Mao Zedong]]'s Cultural Revolution. In ''Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung'', Mao said, “Every Communist must grasp the truth; Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."

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