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The cultural issues surrounding guns are debated.  [[Conservative]]s generally prefer to reserve for the [[individualism|individual]] [[the right to self-defense]] through the use of guns.  [[Liberal]]s generally prefer to give away this right to guards, police, and the military, or even completely deny that it is an important right.{{fact}}Many of them argue that reducing the availability  of guns will reduce crime, and that guns are not an effective form of self-defense. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in the year 2000, there were 52,447 instances of gun violence in the United States<ref name="WISQARS">{{cite web |url=http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/nfirates2000.html |title=WISQARS Nonfatal Injury Reports |publisher=National Center for Injury Prevention and Control |accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref>, as well as 16,907 suicides by firearm. Many people also believe that the easy access to firearms in some areas has made it possible for people with severe mental illness to commit mass murder, often at college and high school campuses.

The cultural issues surrounding guns are debated.  [[Conservative]]s generally prefer to reserve for the [[individualism|individual]] [[the right to self-defense]] through the use of guns.  [[Liberal]]s generally prefer to give away this right to guards, police, and the military, or even completely deny that it is an important right.{{fact}}Many of them argue that reducing the availability  of guns will reduce crime, and that guns are not an effective form of self-defense. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in the year 2000, there were 52,447 instances of gun violence in the United States<ref name="WISQARS">{{cite web |url=http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/nfirates2000.html |title=WISQARS Nonfatal Injury Reports |publisher=National Center for Injury Prevention and Control |accessdate=2006-11-10}}</ref>, as well as 16,907 suicides by firearm. Many people also believe that the easy access to firearms in some areas has made it possible for people with severe mental illness to commit mass murder, often at college and high school campuses.

Guns are shown to be highly effective at detering crime and protecting the gun owner.  Police officers often use guns to enforce the law, except in some countries where the police are not armed. It is debatable whether unarmed police can properly protect citizens from gun-wielding criminals, as they must wait for the arrival of specialist firearms officers before being able to act.

Guns are shown to be highly effective at detering crime and protecting the gun owner.{{fact}} Police officers often use guns to enforce the law, except in some countries where the police are not armed. It is debatable whether unarmed police can properly protect citizens from gun-wielding criminals, as they must wait for the arrival of specialist firearms officers before being able to act.

Studies have repeatedly shown that law-abiding citizens carrying guns are an effective deterrent against crime. Further comparison between different states by [[John Lott]] indicates that states that have more conservative gun laws have lower crime rates, violent crime rates, and firearms [[homicide]]s than states with more liberal gun laws.  

Studies have repeatedly shown that law-abiding citizens carrying guns are an effective deterrent against crime. Further comparison between different states by [[John Lott]] indicates that states that have more conservative gun laws have lower crime rates, violent crime rates, and firearms [[homicide]]s than states with more liberal gun laws.{{fact}}

[[Second Amendment|Guns are also a defense against a tyrannical government.]] The 20th century has proved repeatedly that a well-armed and dedicated guerrilla army can defeat even the strongest occupying army using only small arms. Thus, guns potentially act as a deterrent against a tyrannical government.

[[Second Amendment|Guns are also a defense against a tyrannical government.]]{{fact}} The 20th century has proved repeatedly that a well-armed and dedicated guerrilla army can defeat even the strongest occupying army using only small arms. Thus, guns potentially act as a deterrent against a tyrannical government.

== Science Fiction ==

== Science Fiction ==