In 1989, guns killed 11,832 Americans. The National Rifle Association (NRA) members

believe that it is their constitutional right to own guns, stating that guns are not the root of

the crime problem in the United States. Gun control activists like the members of the

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) argue that guns are responsible for the majority

of violent crimes that take place. They wish to instill many types of bans and waiting

periods on firearms, making it nearly impossible to obtain a handgun. In fact, in 1993 the

Brady Bill, which mandates a waiting period on buying firearms, was passed. Their

arguments range from protecting children to saying that guns are diseases, but when one

looks at the facts, though, the arguments of gun control advocates seem irrelevant and it

becomes clear that guns should not be controlled.

Gun ownership by private citizens is protected under the 2nd Amendment. It

states that "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.aE? The forefathers of

activists, instead of trying to prevent the ownership of guns, which deter crime, should

United States increased by 250 percent. In that same period, the number of homicides

"if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have gunsaE? (Bernards 54). This is true,

name "assault weaponaE? is similar to giving red vehicles with speedometers that go

David E. Newton shows, " between the years of 1937 and 1963, gun ownership in the

proponents have yet to identify even a single quote from one of the founders to support

best, "guns don't kill, people doaE? (NRA). Children who are properly taught

beyond one hundred miles per hour the name "death carsaE? because these are said

Some common words found in the essay are:
Brady Bill, David Newton, Institute Children, Assault WeaponsaE, United Instead, Kopel Gun, Violence CSGV, gun control, NRA Children, Issue Gun, Association NRA, gun control activists, waiting period, control activists, assault weaponae, assault weaponsae, control advocates, gun violence, public health, waiting periods, violent crimes, gun control advocates, public health hazard, crime waiting period, national rifle association,
Approximate Word count = 1341
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)