Gun Ownership in America

Gun ownership by law abiding citizens is legal in the United States and will continue to be legal under the Second Amendment. Most Americans agree that qualified citizens should have the right to own firearms. The debates that are happening are largely between the specifics of this right. For example some people feel that they should be able to own a firearm with more than 10 rounds while others think 10 rounds should be the legal limit. However, it is odd that some of those in the Brady campaign are trying to outlaw high capacity handguns when James Brady was shot with a .22 caliber revolver that only carried 6 rounds.

"Assault" type weapons are often the hotpoint of discussion between pro and anti-gun forces. Many Americans feel that it is their right to own such types of firearms and that they need them to protect themselves from a possible unconstitutional government. Some think that pistol grip type stocks on long arms should be banned while others see a legitimate need for them. The fact is that banning such types of guns had virtually no affect on the rate of firearm related fatalities in the US. The Clinton Gun ban did not make the streets safer. In fact all they did was take away the rights of the law abiding American citizens to protect themselves from criminals who will not follow the laws in the first place.

A number of people think there should be some common sense restrictions regarding gun ownership, namely that the mentally ill and felons should not be allowed to carry or use firearms. I agree with that stance. Although there is a small minority who even disagrees with those laws, their voices are relegated to the fringes. For the most part the specifics of gun laws should determined by the individual states because some see any federal restriction on firearms as going against the Constitution of the United States.

The extreme opponents of gun ownership may want to get a history lesson on the subject of firearms ownership before they propose their bans. It has been shown throughout history that one of the first things a ruthless dictator does is outlaw private ownership of weapons or firearms. For those who have learned from history, the right to own firearms is a right they will fight with their life to keep. A country that outlaws private ownership of firearms is no longer a country controlled by its citizens. The citizens under such a system have the impression that they control things but when push comes to shove they realize they are defenseless.